Am Fasarinen

About Am Fasarinen

Situated on the formidable Liathach ridge, this Munro Top is the jagged heart of the mountain. Comprising a series of steep Torridon sandstone pinnacles, it offers some of mainland Britain's most celebrated scrambling. While bypass paths exist, crossing its exposed crest provides a thrilling link between Spidean a' Choire Lèith and Mullach an Rathain.

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• •The name Am Fasarinen is Scottish Gaelic, most commonly translated as 'The Teeth'. This refers to the jagged, notched profile of the sandstone pinnacles that form the central spine of the Liathach massif.
• •For those traversing the full ridge, these pinnacles represent the technical crux. While the scrambling is generally rated at Grade 2, the exposure is immense, with the mountain falling away precipitously into Toll a' Meadhonach to the north and Glen Torridon to the south.
• •The ridge is composed of Precambrian Torridonian sandstone. The horizontal bedding of the rock creates a series of tiered ledges and 'steps' which, despite the daunting appearance, provide remarkably secure holds for walkers crossing the crest.
• •From the narrow summit of the pinnacles, there is a clear, dramatic view across to the 'Triple Buttress' of Coire Mhic Fhearchair on neighbouring Beinn Eighe, and a vertiginous perspective of the A896 road snaking through the glen floor 900 metres below.
• •Many walkers opt for the lower bypass path to avoid the exposure of the rock crest, only to discover a narrow, crumbling trail that frequently feels significantly more precarious than the solid sandstone they were trying to avoid.