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Am Basteir

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
934 m (3064 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NG46572530
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
242 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Possibly - The executioner
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  32   South Skye & Cuillin Hills
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Am Basteir is one of the most N peaks on the Black Cuillin Ridge with the very distinctive Bhasteir tooth next to it.

The Cuillin are composed of gabbro rock which gives wonderful grip even when wet, but this is a serious climb.

Ascent starts in Coire a' Bhasteir N of Sgurr nan Gillean on a path marked by cairns up a rocky slope to the base of the pinnacled ridge. From here the route bears W above scree but below the pinnacled ridge becoming steeper as it ascends towards the N face of the summit and on to Bealach a' Bhasteir. Scramble up E ridge to summit but note you may require use of a safety rope.

Hazards you may encounter on Am Basteir include
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 Scrambling (major), greater exposure and steeper rock.
 Magnetic rock, compass bearings inacurate.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Am Basteir

Am Basteir as seen from Sgurr nan Gillean

© Dave Sanderson
Image by Dave Sanderson

Am Basteir with mist in Coire a Bhasteir and clear on the South side of the ridge.

© Steve Marlow
Image by Steve Marlow

Standing on Sgurr a Bhasteir after ascending from Meall Odhar on my way to Bruach na Frithe in 'unusual' conditions, December 2008

© Michael Stephens
Image by Michael Stephens

Am Basteir from the south-east ridge of Sgurr-nan-Gillean; 28 May 2014.

© Roger Vander Steen
Image by Roger Vander Steen
View All 30 Images for Am Basteir

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Sgurr na Banachdich
by Metcheck
Am Basteir Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Am Basteir.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Am Basteir
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 925 m 10.94 km 4 hrs Am Basteir  The Cuillin should not be attempted unless you are comfortable with scrambling and exposure. You are recommended to purchase and study a higher scale map of the Black Cuillin of Skye before attempting an ascent.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Am Basteir

  Baggers Gallery for Am Basteir

Ronnie, myself and my brother Pete on Am Basteir on 20/05/14

© Mike Reynolds
Image by Mike Reynolds

Just about done, No 10 of my May 2013 traverse

© Colin Fridge
Image by Colin Fridge

Me on summit, 4,6,11.

© Mark Thomson
Image by Mark Thomson

Griff, Bill and me on Am Basteir

© Steve Mcewen
Image by Steve Mcewen
View All 7 Baggers Images for Am Basteir
The logging section stores any entries for Am Basteir in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
You need to be a member to have a route log.
Recently Climbed By
Graeme Mcphee on 13 Sep 2023
WILLIAM BISHOP on 06 Aug 2023
Andy Munro on 07 May 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean
by Alan Parker
Bruach na Frithe and Am Basteir
by Brian Howarth
Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir
by Kenny Mcneill

Post a few words about Am Basteir or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Craig Dunderdale
wrote on
August 3, 2008
From the Sligachan up the Coire ascend Am Basteir via it's South face return to Bealach up Sgurr nan Gilliean v.diff, ropes required over bad step and abseil down. Then North side of Basteir to Bruach na Frithe, return and then back to Coire. Great Day!
David Brown
wrote on
August 23, 2002
There's a bad step on the East Ridge just before the final lump of rock which makes up the summit. If you're confronted by it, turn around and retrace your steps for 50 yards, and head to your right (south) where there is an opportunity to climb down (facing the rock wall) to scree and terraces of sloping rock a few feet below. Once here, push up huge slabs to the summit crest. Remember, if you keep just to the south of the penultimate crest, you won't need to give up within sight of the summit - as some were doing when I was there.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 08 Aug 2021 3 down 6 left Kevin Mckeown Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir and Bruach na Frithe Not Yet Rated
 
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