One For The Road

[roscoT]

ben wyvis.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

The wait for our trip to Assynt was over, and the forecast suggested we were going to luck out. Leaving Glasgow painfully early, after a stop for a long-weekend's-worth of (some) food and (mainly) booze in Inverness, we arrived at the car park near Garve to climb the physically and geographically convenient Ben Wyvis, coiled like little weedjie springs. Setting off, the first part of the walk is a pleasant meander alongside the tree-lined Alt a'Bealach Mor, climbing gently on a good path, with the first top of the day, An Cabar, dark and looming ahead.

P1020255 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
An Cabar in the distance by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
P1020264 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

We made good pace for a few kilometres until appearing into the open heather alongside the burn and a classic photo op. The path then climbs expertly up An Cabar over nice flat stone steps, making what would otherwise be a hard climb quite manageable (I would even whisper, given our fresh legs, 'easy'). Ascent gained quickly, we got good views back to the Fannichs and Beinn Dearg (I think). The steep sides of Little Wyvis on the right give a more airy feel.

An Cabar and Ben Wyvis behind by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Sgurr Mor and fannichs by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
P1020286 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
P1020290 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Little Wyvis by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
P1020300 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Sgurr Mor by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Inverness by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

The summit of An Cabar was reached in good time, revealing the wide ridge along to Ben Wyvis itself. Views back were still extensive, despite a good bit of cloud. An info plaque suggests taking a particulalrly well-worn route over the ridge to avoid destroying the rare fauna, one that has clearly not been adhered to by most walkers

P1020307 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
An Cabar summit by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
To Ben Wyvis by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Loch Fannich, Fannichs and Loch Glascarnoch by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Cromarty Firth by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

The gentle undulating ridge takes you to the summit after a few kilometres. Pretty windy and cold up here, with a good bit of snow still lying, so we layered up before tucking into our lunch.

Ben Wyvis summit by :Ross Thomson, on Flickr
P1020326 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Beinn Dearg by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Not much more to report for the descent, minus a wee shortcut to the right of An Cabar summit to get to the stone steps. Good views to Strathfarrar Munros (again, I think). As the forecast was meant to improve further through the afternoon, we actually jogged down most of the steps (!) on our way to the car, and decided we would do an unplanned trip to Stac Pollaidh on our way to Inchnadamph later on (see next report). Turned out to be one of the best decisions ever

Ridge descent and Strathfarrar Munros by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
P1020344 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Loch Glascarnoch and Beinn Dearg by Ross Thomson, on Flickr
From the glen by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

[Gordie12]

It's been years since I climbed this one - forgot what the summit area looked like.

Cracking day you had.

[roscoT]

It's been years since I climbed this one - forgot what the summit area looked like.

Cracking day you had.

A good wee starter for 10 right enough. The flat steps on the way up to An Cabar make some difference to the effort to ascent ratio!