Am Basteir and Bruach na Frithe, The CUILLIN

[Bod]

Bruach na Frithe with perhaps a wee add-on we had promised ourselves today.........

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After a fine night down in Glen Brittle Campsite the four of us agreed on a cautious approach to Bruach na Frithe to introduce us further to the Cuillin (with a few we add-ons of course). Marty and Sandy, and Valerie and I, had all been in the misty mountains earlier this year and it was time to explore further into the corries, gullies and gorges of this amazing island. We left from the Glen Brittle carpark close to the Fairy Pools and followed the path close to Allt a' Mhaim to the Bealach a' Mhaim. A lovely walk then followed initially skirting the west side of the deep burn gullies then brought us neatly up into Foinn Choire where we sat down to enjoy an early lunch and refreshment. We were not alone!

Ewe basteir or could I suggest this beast's name is Lamb basteir?

This brave ewe was more than happy to come and take our food, or even a bite of a rucsac. It seemed to like red canvas best and caused much amusement, although she did affect the relaxation factor of hanging out in Fionn Choire...

Valerie and Marty the Choire path.

Two trolls at Bealach nan Lice!

Going up the ridge to Bruach na Frithe. Behind me you see Sgurr a' Fionn Choire, Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean.

Sgurr na Bhairnich to the south of our first Munro summit. The view continues along the traverse heading south west into the mists.

The top of Bruach na Frithe, photo kindly taken by one three friendly chaps who had just abseiled the Am Bhasteir Tooth.

A view from Bealach a' Bhasteir looking south.

Having arrived at Bealach a' Bhasteir following a walk round the base of the north wall of Am Basteir, we carefully assessed our time, weather conditions and gear. The Bealach nan Lice area had caused us no real difficulties and our spirits were high! So here we were about to ascend Am Basteir.........almost doubling back west after our walk eastwards far below

Beginning our scramble on East Ridge direct........Sandy, Marty and Valerie following.

Getting tricky and daunting, but great fun - I am there to catch!

Ma pal Marty temporarily not smiling.....hehe

Happy and on two feet again briefly, but concentration remains....

Suddenly we are at a stand still; the expected Bad Step arrives. Marty and I made sure the girls were safely sat down while we sussed our belay points. Excitement and joy for all, mixed with adding a layer of extra clothing and dealing with a short rainfall. This was relevant as Am Basteir being covered in Basalt rock is vulnerable to being more slippy than the Gabbro rock on neighbouring mountains.

I climbed down first with Marty providing safety. Then Valerie and Sandy followed held by Marty with myself to catch and provide assurances at the base. Marty then abseiled down on the rope doubled, again with me waiting below. This Bad Step is only about a 4 metre drop (though it seems higher at first, and has very risky drops north and south) , so for us it was essential to use a safety rope.

Looking back to the Bad Step with the gear left ready for our return.

A bit more clambering and scrambling!!!

Sandy, Valerie and Marty on the summit of Am Basteir!

Myself and Marty kind of chuffed with ourselves....

The girls leading the way down. You can see my red sack on the Bad Step below.

Having a fine view southwards into Lota Corrie, whilst lying back on the rock preparing to belay Marty who was first up the Step.

Looking back down the Step once we were all up.

Departing the Bad Step after packing the sacks again.....

Back around the north wall again nearing Bealach nan Lice, below the Bhasteir Tooth.

The Bhasteir Tooth......jings!!!!!!

A great shot looking southwards through Bealach nan Lice towards Clach Glas and Bla Bheinn.

Back down in Fionn Choire. A beautiful place for Mountain walkers and ewes alike.

Hey-ho! What more do I need to say? Nothing really, a fantastic day out in the Cuillin......!!!

[JohnJoe]

Nice report! I'd like to do that route. Were the ropes essential?

[foggieclimber]

Were the ropes essential?

You can skirt below the bad step on ledges with lots of loose stones (Grade 2).
IMO sticking to the ridge and doing the bad step is safer.
The bad step is a steep short climb (Skye Scrambles suggests "at least Severe").
Easy enough to solo up but definitely easier to abseil down.

[BobMcBob]

Nice report, lots of great photos.

I agree about sticking to the ridge being safer, but the ledges aren't that bad - although they were very slippery when I used them after a brief rain shower. The bad step looks very daunting from the top - as foggieclimber says it's easy enough to solo up but the exposure and the need to face inwards makes the descent a very daunting prospect.

However I think you could go up without a rope, have a look at the descent and if you don't like it it's only a short double-back and a small drop down to reach the ledges - that's what I ended up doing.

[Redrock]

You're getting in some fine scrambling, Bod! There are some really great pictures in your report. You really catch the emotions of scrambling in your pictures - from terror to joy and everything in between! The girls descending back down to the bad step is an impressive shot - it looks quite exposed to me. Could somebody not carve a few steps up that bad step! It would make life so much easier! Great report, Bod!

[dogplodder]

Great pics that had me almost feeling I'd been scrambling along that ridge too!

[rockhopper]

Nice one Bod - some great detail for those of us still to follow Some scary and moody photos...esp "The Bhasteir Tooth". Think I'd need a bit of practice before attempting this sort of thing and I've never used a rope before either. Well done all of you

[JTweedie]

Regarding using a rope - what's the best way of getting experience using them? Doing a course? Going out with experienced climbers?

[Johnny Corbett]

Another informative report there Bod with great photos. Not done anything on Skye yet, so will have to get up there.

[Alan S]

Well done Bod, great report there and some cracking pics

[BlackPanther]

Superb! I absolutely love Isle of Skye - still haven't climbed these two Munros but I'm sure I'll try soon...
That Am Basteir scramble looks scary

[Bod]

Regarding using a rope - what's the best way of getting experience using them? Doing a course? Going out with experienced climbers?

Hi, I have some basic climbing knowledge from over the years, but focused more on hill walking and do hold the Mountain Leader Award. With that I am trained on security on steep ground, where the intention is safety and confidence roping for aiding situations as they develop rather than planned scrambling. So I am pushing my boundaries now, but only after visiting Skye earlier this year with a very experienced climbing friend to introduce me to the Cuillin, plus my pal Marty on this summit has some climbing experience. Don't ever be put off though, but yes doing this with experienced climbers/scramblers would be sensible at first, cheers....

[JTweedie]

Regarding using a rope - what's the best way of getting experience using them? Doing a course? Going out with experienced climbers?

Hi, I have some basic climbing knowledge from over the years, but focused more on hill walking and do hold the Mountain Leader Award. With that I am trained on security on steep ground, where the intention is safety and confidence roping for aiding situations as they develop rather than planned scrambling. So I am pushing my boundaries now, but only after visiting Skye earlier this year with a very experienced climbing friend to introduce me to the Cuillin, plus my pal Marty on this summit has some climbing experience. Don't ever be put off though, but yes doing this with experienced climbers/scramblers would be sensible at first, cheers....

I don't actually know anyone who does climbing or scrambles where you'd need a rope, but it's definitely something I'd like to do in future, it puts that extra edge to days out on the mountains. Maybe first I should get to 10 Munros before thinking about using ropes!

[Bod]

You get out there and climb a few more Munros, and maybe even enjoy a sneeky wee Corbett or Graham (I love them too) good luck, will look out for your reports, cheers the noo

Regarding using a rope - what's the best way of getting experience using them? Doing a course? Going out with experienced climbers?

Hi, I have some basic climbing knowledge from over the years, but focused more on hill walking and do hold the Mountain Leader Award. With that I am trained on security on steep ground, where the intention is safety and confidence roping for aiding situations as they develop rather than planned scrambling. So I am pushing my boundaries now, but only after visiting Skye earlier this year with a very experienced climbing friend to introduce me to the Cuillin, plus my pal Marty on this summit has some climbing experience. Don't ever be put off though, but yes doing this with experienced climbers/scramblers would be sensible at first, cheers....

I don't actually know anyone who does climbing or scrambles where you'd need a rope, but it's definitely something I'd like to do in future, it puts that extra edge to days out on the mountains. Maybe first I should get to 10 Munros before thinking about using ropes!

[Lostwalker]

Hi Bod thanks for the great trip report looks fantastic!