Anboto
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Anboto | |
|---|---|
 Anboto seen from the south. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,331 m (4,367 ft) |
| Prominence | 734 m (2,408 ft) |
| Coordinates | 43°05′20.70″N 02°35′43.31″W / 43.0890833°N 2.5953639°W |
| Naming | |
| Language of name | Basque |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Biscay, Spain |
| Parent range | Basque Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Limestone |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | From the southern Urkiola pass (711 m) |
Anboto (1,331 m or 4,367 ft) is a limestone mountain of the Western Basque Country, the highest peak of the Urkiola range and not far from the Urkiola mountain pass between Durango and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
An immense mass of limestone, very compact and of gray color, the mountain contains fossil remnants of massive prehistoric corals and large seashells.
The north face has impressive 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high cliffs, towering over the valley of Atxondo. The south face descends more smoothly toward the pass of Urkiolamendi; more even, it is used for the more popular routes of ascent.
The ascent, which can be carried out on any of its faces, requires in all cases certain care when passing next to the cliffs.
The Anboto is one of the most known and most characteristic summits of Biscay and of the Basque Country.
On its summit there is a geodesic vertex of second order.[1]
Mythology
Anboto has always been related to magic and mythology. In a cave close to its summit, the legend tells us that Mari, the "Lady of Anboto", has her main dwelling. Legend says that it is usual to see her in the mouth of the cave, on days with good weather, combing her pretty blond hair with a comb of gold in the sunshine. It is not rare either to see her spend nights as a great ball of fire in the sky above Anboto or other places of the Basque Country where she possesses dwellings like the nearby Oiz or Aizkorri. Depending on where she is found there will be good or bad weather.
