April 2021 marked the 85th anniversary of a quintessential British landmark, the triangulation pillar, or "trig". To celebrate this milestone, learn about the trig pillar’s role in mapping the UK, and dip our toes into the healthy pastime of ‘trig bagging,’ we visited Walbury Hill, the highest point in South East England. In order to bag our first trig together, GR6 students and staff had to complete a 2.5 mile circular route, which dipped down into the valley beneath the hill and through the tiny hamlet of Combe, before looping round and climbing the hill gradually from the east. The trig itself is on private land, 297m above sea level, but we felt we had a good case for jumping over the fence and indulging in a little light trespassing in order to tap the concrete pillar in celebration! Everyone had a great walk, and enjoyed spectacular views of the surrounding North Wessex Downs AONB. It was also great training for GR6’s upcoming trip to Adventure Parc Snowdonia, where they hope to scale Snowdon, which at 1085m is 3.65 times as tall!
