High Willhays: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 17:27, 28 September 2010
| High Willhays | |
|---|---|
 High Willhays with Yes Tor beyond | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 621 m (2,037 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 533 metres (1,749 ft)[1] |
| Parent peak | Cross Fell |
| Listing | Marilyn, Hewitt, County Top, Nuttall |
| Coordinates | 50°41′N 4°00′W / 50.683°N 4.000°W |
| Geography | |
| OS grid | SX580892 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 191 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | From Meldon Reservoir, SX 562918 |
High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor, Devon, at 621 metres (2,037 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in Great Britain south of the Brecon Beacons. High Willhays and the neighbouring Yes Tor are the only summits in England south of Kinder Scout in the Peak District to rise above 2,000 feet (610 m), apart from Black Mountain which is on the Welsh border. In 1912, William Crossing, writer and documenter, suggested the name derived from 'gwylfa', a watching place, and compared its similarities with Brown Willy, the highest hill on Bodmin Moor in the neighbouring county of Cornwall. He suggested a link to the word 'gwili' meaning winding or tortuous, but said it was unlikely this was where it originated from.
This remote spot in the northern part of Dartmoor is situated within the Danger Zone — an area used periodically by the British Army for exercises. Red flags are raised around the perimeter when firing is due to be taking place.
History
Before Ordnance Survey measured accurately the heights of High Willhays and Yes Tor many people believed Yes Tor was the highest of the two, and it was only the local farmers and moormen that believed the contrary. However, the first topographical survey of the area carried out by Ordnance Survey suggested that High Willhays was twelve feet higher[2], although the difference has now been measured at just eight feet. Crossing also stated that High Willhays was the highest point in England south of Inglebourough in the Yorkshire Dales but since then surveys have shown that Kinder Scout in the Peak District is also higher.
References
- Dartmoor National Park Authority, General Information: Dartmoor Factsheet, 2004, p. 1
- ^ "High Willhays, England". Peakbagger.com.
- ^ Crossing, W, Crossing's Guide to Dartmoor1912 edition, published by 'The Western Morning News Co.'
External links
- Computer generated summit panorama High Willhays
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