Am Basteir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Am Basteir |
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| Scottish Gaelic: Am Baisteir | |
The vertical west face of Am Basteir, with Sgùrr nan Gillean in the background
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 934 m (3,064 ft) |
| Prominence | 49 m (161 ft) |
| Listing | Munro |
| Naming | |
| English translation | The executioner |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | |
| Geography | |
 Am Basteir
Location in Isle of Skye
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| Location | Cuillin, Skye, Scotland |
| OS grid | NG465253 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 32 |
Am Basteir (Scottish Gaelic: Am Baisteir) is a cool mountain in Scotland. It is found in the northern Cuillin range. This range is on the amazing Isle of Skye. Am Basteir is 934 meters (about 3,064 feet) high. It is known as a Munro, which means it is one of Scotland's highest mountains. Its name means "The Executioner" in Scottish Gaelic.
Contents
Exploring Am Basteir
Am Basteir is a very striking mountain. It looks like a narrow, sharp blade of rock. This makes it quite special among mountains. It is often compared to the Inaccessible Pinnacle. That's another famous rocky peak in the Cuillin.
Climbing Am Basteir
The easiest way to reach the top of Am Basteir starts from a place called Sligachan. You follow a path along a small stream. This stream is called the Allt Dearg Beag. After about 5 kilometers (3 miles), you reach a small lake. This lake is in a valley called Coire a' Bhasteir.
From there, you climb a steep slope. This slope is covered in loose rocks, called scree. It leads to a mountain pass, or bealach. This pass is on the main ridge. It sits between Am Basteir and another mountain, Sgùrr nan Gillean.
The "Bad Step"
Once on the ridge, you scramble for about 200 meters (650 feet). This scramble is along the east ridge. It takes you closer to the summit. But be careful near the top! There is a tricky part called the "bad step".
The "bad step" is a 3-meter (10-foot) notch in the ridge. It used to be possible to climb down it. However, a rockfall changed it. Now, you might need to find a way around it. You can also climb down it carefully or use ropes to abseil.
The easiest way to avoid the "bad step" is to find a scrambling route. This route is on the south face of the mountain. It can be a bit hard to find. If you are coming down from the summit, climbing back up the "bad step" is usually easier.
Reaching the Summit
The western side of Am Basteir is very steep. It is almost straight up! But if you are coming from Bruach na Frìthe, you can still reach the top. You just need to go around the base of Am Basteir. This will lead you to the same mountain pass mentioned earlier. From there, you can climb to the summit.
The Basteir Tooth
At the bottom of Am Basteir's western side, there is a large rock pillar. It is called the Basteir Tooth. This pillar looks a lot like Am Basteir itself. It stands out as a prominent feature in the landscape.
See also
In Spanish: Am Basteir para niños
