Have yourself a Merry Little Wyvis

[BlackPanther]

It was the first day of Christmas but Christmas was cancelled due to COVID. For us, it meant just the two of us, a Christmas tree and a fridge full of food. And of course Wee Lucy. She really wanted to go up a mountain on Xmas Day, even if it was only going to be a little one... We thought, Little Wyvis suited her dreams perfectly!

The smaller of Wyvis brothers is our local winter training ground. Here I tried on crampons for the first time, over a decade ago. Back then, the only access to this Corbett was from the main Wyvis car park, but now it is possible to climb LW straight from Silver Bridge so we decided to give this new route a go.

It was blowing a hoolie on Xmas Day but it didn't deter us at all, we were desperate to have festive fun, even if it meant half frozen digits This route can be turned into a circular by adding Meall Ruighe an Fhirich (easy access via a good track to TV mast) but due to weather, today we opted for the shortest version, up and down the main track to the summit.

Track_LITTLE WYVIS 10.5KM.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

From the large car park in Silverbridge we set off across the old stone bridge...

Panther investigates

...which offered nice views to the waterfalls of Black Water:

Having carefully crossed the A835, we had no problem finding the right route, it is waymarked "hill access this way" (or something like that). Once on the track, we walked past several farm buildings and through a metal gate onto the wide pastures below the main bulk of Little Wyvis. Here, we felt like a part of the nativity story (though I don't remember any panthers taking part in the original version!). The ox was replaced by a highland coo...

Have yourself a Merry Little Wyvis time!

...and the donkey by a tame-looking Rudolf the Deer, accompanied by a flock of sheep (they obviously played the part of the shepherds):

Rudolf and the sheep - sounds like a name for a Christmas band!

As we gained height on the track, we enjoyed local views, especially west to the Fannichs. We tried to ignore the omnipresent wind turbines...

Loch Luichart and the peaks of Strathconon:

Higher up, the track resembled an ice ring - quite a challenge if you are not mentally prepared for ice dancing

An Teallach making an appearance:

Strath Rannoch and An Caisteil:

For the final 200m or so the track was filled with snow, which was fine by me, easier walking than the ice rink lower down!

The western panorama from just below the summit:

About 50m below the top, we had to stop to put on extra layers and prepare for the wind challenge! According to forecast, the gusts reached 40mph on Munro level, but even on 700m the wind was strong enough to make walking difficult!

Fighting the wind

The summit was so cold and so windblown, that we just took a few photos and decided to escape this hostile, freezing world as soon as possible. Shame, because apart from the wind, weather was lovely today, cold and crispy with beautiful, blue sky above...

...though Big Brother Wyvis generated some cloud (the mountain looked like it was on fire):

Too windy to have our Christmas lunch, I guess...

Loch Glascarnoch and Beinn Dearg group:

The outline of Strathfarrar Munros:

Carn Chuinneag and some loose cloud:

Liathach and Beinn Eighe:

Poor Wee Lucy was blown about but she didn't complain... It was her idea after all

We descended about a hundred metres on the track and found a quiet spot for a quick cuppa and mince pies (it was Christmas Day after all!). The Fannichs and Beinn Dearg to the west of us shook off the cloud cover, proudly presenting their snow-covered upper slopes in the winter sun:

Brother Dearg

If it wasn't for the windfarms, this could easily be my photo of the month...

Looking back at Little Wyvis from the track below:

We will certainly revisit this route in less windy conditions, as it has potential for "some kinda circular" and is very close to home, so perfect for short winter days.
...
On Boxing Day we went out again (what else to do during winter hols if weather smiles?). Watch this space for my next TR which will be ice cold in A...chnasheen

[Mal Grey]

Great views. Happy New Year, both!

[gld73]

It's a nice, handy straightforward hill to do from Silverbridge, I do it once or twice a year when I've just got an afternoon free and the weather isn't perfect.
I wonder if I saw the same highland cow and stag as you

Happy new year

[scottnairn]

Enjoyed the report, could feel the festive spirit jingling all the way...!

I climbed Little Wyvis a week before Xmas Day and was surprised to see the lost 'reindeer' taking his holidays near Silverbridge so close to game time!

Managed to miss out on the ice which quickly followed a long weekend's worth of temperature and cloud inversions well worth the time and so close to home

Happy New Year, wishing plenty hills in 2022 for yous!

Pre-festive cheer. I had a Merry Little Wyvis, too!