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2018 has arrived with loads of snow on the hills, so where would Panther spend her New Year's Day if not trudging up white slopes somewhere in Northern Scotland?
No crazy ideas like full Fannichs traverse or SGS ridge, especially with stomachs still full of Xmas food, but we returned to our local Corbett, very often neglected and undervalued Little Wyvis. Most folks arriving at the bottom of the Wyvis Duo dash for the Big Un, but there is a certain charm about the wee brother, especially in winter months.
The traditional walk for Wee Wyvis follows the same path as for the Big Brother, crossing Allt a 'Bhealaich Mhoir at 433665 and climbing straight up to the summit ridge. WH route suggests a circular, but due to knee-deep snow on higher slopes we decided to retrace our steps:
The car park was busy, people getting ready for winter adventure, but we were the only ones heading for the Wee Brother. The surface of the parking area was covered in hard ice and even getting out of the car and preparing for walking required some ice-skating abilities, a few axles and toe loops with heavy rucksacks balancing on our shoulders
The car park ice rink:
As we started on the path, more ice-dancing skills were needed, including constant change of edges (of the path), long sequences of spirals and a few flip jumps here and there...
Last year we visited Ben Wyvis in January in "fake winter" and it was more like walking in April
This time, what a difference!
It was a relief to reach the stream-crossing and see soft snow on the slopes of our target hill. Anything was better than the ice rink on the path!
The morning was lovely if cold. Forecast suggested a band of cloud arriving at 2pm but at the moment, no sign of the bad front coming. Allt a 'Bhealaich Mhoir was quite high so it took us a few minutes to find a suitable spot for crossing, but once on the other side, it was bye-bye ice dancing, welcome to the world of hard workout. The white stuff was deep from the very beginning, getting even deeper as we gained height. This slope is not too steep, but try it when you have to pull your feet out of knee deep snow!
The Big Brother is watching:
We took turns breaking the trail, taking frequent breathers. I felt all the mince pies, cheesecakes, strudels and Santa cookies melting away from my body...
For a short time, we followed a line of fence posts, before aiming straight for the 747m top on the main ridge. As we gained height, views opened up and as a result, our breather breaks turned into photo breaks - the world around us looked amazing!
Panorama from half way up:
An Teallach with the first signs of the cloud band coming from the west:
The best views are of course to the Fannichs and Strathcarron hills. I liked Fionn Bheinn from this angle especially, looks very mighty:
A few snaps to the west:
Windfarms
Zoom to Glascarnoch Dam:
The Fannichs pano:
More fun with snow:
We came across the track zig-zagging up the slope, but it was filled with snow so the best option was to continue straight up.
There was snow everywhere, even in Kevin's gaiters... Time off please!
As Kevin was busy adjusting his foot gear, I took more photos. We could now see the edge of the front coming so I took the chance to get more good snaps before the winter wonderland was obstructed by cloud.
North to Carn Chuinneag:
The cloud boiling up:
I took over trail breaking for the final section to the ridge, snow was very soft and on the steep slope I was going two steps up, one down, but the whole situation made me giggle rather than swear. It was like walking in slow motion or trying to run in water. I was surprised that my muscles were not hurting yet
We caught the ridge about 30m below the 747m top and it was a relief to find windswept surface here. Much easier walking from now on!
Looking north towards the Big Brother, we could see many dark spots moving up and down the approach to An Cabar, I bet the path was well trodden and Big Wyvis climbers had much easier job than we had! Many of them probably took less time to climb the Munro than we did to reach the summit of the Corbett. Ahh the joys of less frequented routes
The bad front was now in full charge over the NW sky so we didn't waste much time, headed up the final ascent and over the minor top to the summit!
Cloud coming:
Big Brother and Black Panther:
The view east towards Moray coast is not as spectacular...
...and we were drawn to the white peaks of south-west:
Summit in sight, and I'm feeling loopy again (no wonder after all the toe-loops on the icy path, I think my balance was knackered
):
Just below the summit we took time to investigate some weird snow and wind sculptures...
...but the charging cloud reminded us, that our time with winter panoramas was restricted now!
Strathconon Corbetts:
It was a repeat hill for us both, but Lucy celebrated her 60th Corbett! Well done, wee fluffy friend
Happy me on the top of the summit cairn. You can see the cloud coming in behind me:
A few panoramas from the summit:
I dived into my rucksack for hot tea flask, and as a result, I didn't even notice the cloud arriving:
It came in very quickly, bringing in cold, nasty wind as well. We drank our tea and had a quick snack, before heading down the snowy slopes. We both agreed, we couldn't be bothered with any kind of circular, it was much easier to retrace steps down our own trail. Views were gone, anyway.
Big Wyvis in cloud:
Weather has turned windy and it even began to snow lightly, but we still enjoyed the descent, sliding down the steeper sections, hopping, jumping and dragging legs out of the white stuff:
It took us only 40 minutes to descend back to the path, but the final section on the icy path was then slow and very careful. We didn't want to start the year with a broken limb! Overall, five hours for this short walk, might sound slow but it was fast in given circumstances
Hopefully, the whole 2018 will be as successful and satisfying as its first day - Happy New Year to all hillwalking maniacs!
