Taking a Gondola up some of the Highest Mountains in Scotland.. Aonach Mor & Beag
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- ➤ In today's video I will be doing the Two Aonachs via the Gondala at the nevis range.. do you count this as cheating??
THE ROUTE: www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortw...
0:00 Intro
0:35 The Gondola
1:00 Some information
2:57 Walk Beginning
6:21 Aonach Mor
8:30 The Bealach
10:47 Aonach Beag
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Scotland has 282 Munro's - Which are peaks over 3000ft in height, I am aiming to climb them ALL!
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Kit Featured -
OEX 24L Bag - www.blacks.co.uk/19609115/oex...
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#visitscotland #munrobagging
Is driving to the mountain cheating? Is not climbing every Munro from sea level cheating? I think bar getting a chopper to the top, anything goes.
@@Meades4532 exactly my thoughts 😂 you get a better advantage driving to the Glenshee ski center etc.. it was a fun experience taking the Gondola 😁
With some of the glenshee munros you only have about 500m ascent from the ski centre, might even be less
@@jamiemacmillan4056less than 300m ascent
My mate is a Munro compleatist and he did Càrn Aosda and the Cairnwell via the chair lift many years ago which is pushing it a bit imo.
I walked from the ski centre when I did them.
The gondola is fine though imo as you still have a big walk to complete.
Hi James, in my opinion it's not cheating. But what would people say if they knew me and my party took the gondola up, then took a helicopter down to Ballachulish!?
The early spring weather was excellent that day, and the views over the Ben and Mamores were spectacular. The chopper dropped us off at the Ballachulish Hotel much to people's amazement.
But my favourite memory of that day is when one of our team, who'd never been up a Corbett or Munro, stood amazed (same place as on you video at 4:27 mins) and in awe saying "You don't get this in Paisley" That day changed her life. She stopped Friday and Saturday nights out, bought walking and camping gear, met a bloke on a walk and the rest is history.
Great video mate and hope you're over the lurgy.
Loving the 360 cam shots mate especially in the gondola 👍🏻
Is it cheating u ask? My opinion is the mountains are all about adventure and experiencing everything they have to offer and that’s including the gondola ride up and down! 👍🏻😎
Well done mate 👏🏻
Nice one James. Nah, not cheating, sometimes you got to do what you got to do! Used the gondola about 15 years ago to access the CMD on route to the Ben. Gave us a good head start. Still took us around 9 hours by the time we summited the Ben and decended down into Glen Nevis for a few pints and back to the camp site. We got dropped off at the Nevis range that day by one of our crew who wasn't feeling well that day. Great views as usual. Cheers, Ozzy.
Loved the pic of the sheep in front of the Ben! So close now!
What a view. I can't remember seeing a better angle of Ben Nevis. Wonderful.
Great vid and amazing views of Ben Nevis.
Definitely not cheating imo although I have the same feelings when I sometimes cycle the walk-in before climbing.
Only the purists would begrudge using the gondola and I think I am going to do the same when I am there in September as it is a marathon any other way.
You have inspired me to do this.
The CMD and An Teallach are both great hills to finish on btw but for me An Teallach has the WOW factor.
Stunning photography. I think you should enter that one of the sheep and The Ben in a competition.
Thank you Annie, I was surprised to see them so high up 😂
Hi James, another great blog with fantastic views good luck on the final part of your journey. Scotland is stunning
Thank you 😁
Great shots of Nevis. I did these mountains separate and the gondola was not there just ski lifts. Lovely scenery.
In my opinion the best thing about bagging IS the journey - how ever you want to do that journey! And if you're not feeling too well, going by gondola is a worthwhile experience in itself. One which I might start saving up for! 😄
Haha that makes me feel a bit better 😂 its a great experience anyway, Cheers, James
Well done. Most folks would have stayed in bed. Your whole journey has been epic. Stunning views of the Ben.
Superb again mate, I think you’ve earned a shot on the gondola 😂💪🏻🗻
I did the Aonachs in 2001 at the height of the foot and mouth outbreak. Walkers were “advised” to use the gondola so as not to risk spreading the disease. Can’t remember paying for it though !
Interesting, the biggest problem now is there is no clear route for walkers - there is a lot if bike tracks in the way that they ask you not to walk on.. definitely worth taking the gondola 😁 Cheers, James
Not cheating but for peace of mind in those quiet moments when you are alone with your thoughts (as you have said you will) I would do them again from Glen Nevis. I was lucky and got an inversion with only the 4,000-footers poking above the clouds, a day I will long remember. Great series of videos James.
End of the day mate it'll be how it sits with you. But I would bet my last pound you'll be posting another video with you doing them both via the traditional route between now and the end of your Munro journey 👍
Haha I’m not so sure, it is going on the list of interesting routes for round 2 though 😁 Cheers, James
Hi James - well done for taking yourself out, despite not feeling at your best - and indeed, for showing the less-abled among us how we might still access the mountains, or even climb one or two of the higher ones with a bit less effort. I mean, I couldn't do it in my present condition; but if I lost ten stone, who knows - I just might... And there are doubtless many others who maybe are just about able to have a stab at it right now!! The puritans might say you cheated, but how many of them, start climbing every Munro from sea level, I wonder? I mean, it's not even practical in a lot of cases - and who wouldn't use the highest possible car park, or starting point? And anyway, isn't the number one safety rule to not try to do more than you know you can safely manage - and to take every precaution you feel you might need? So, don't feel any guilt on my account, because I actually think you did a very sensible thing, using that gondola, in these circumstances!
Really enjoyed watching your Munro journey over the years, as a completist myself a bit disappointed that you took gondola. Yes take family for day out but not to count towards your 282.
You might have all your excuse 😂
But you've robbed yourself of a great hike doing them from Glen Nevis side, thats an awesome hike..
@@AllanJack I had a brilliant day anyway, the good thing is I can explore the different routes for round 2 😁🏔
Well I used the chairlift to come down from the Cairnwell 3 recently as my knees were feeling it - so you do you!
Another great view of Aonach Mor is from the top of Carn Mor Dearg. From there you see dozens of gullies cutting into the western side of Aonach Mor.
Great video James. Definitely not cheating. Plus you gave me the idea of taking my son up their that way. Fantastic views of Ben Nevis. I done Ben Nevis last year. Not CMD. I fancy doing Ben Nevis again via CMD.
Well done
ATVB
Alan
These 2 are on my to do list because of the views of Ben Nevis and the mamores, so I think I’ll do them from Glen Nevis
I’ve been up the gondola a few times
Hi james.. amazing vids as usual👍can i ask what model of 360 camera your using?? , looks pretty impressive with virtually nil distortion..
Thank you 😁 its the Insta 360 X4, been quite impressed with it so far, Cheers, James
Not cheating, James. You got the ferry along Loch Mullardoch, bit like driving to the start. Numerous Munros have high car parks or high road passes close by, what's the difference? If you were a purest you'd be doing them all from sea level but that just isn't practical. Thanks for uploading. 🏴🏔👍
As far as I know, from the north the only possible way is the Gondola. All the paths in that area are for mountain bikers and pedestrians are not allowed. Maybe in winter when bikers are not around you can use those paths.
Yes it looks difficult to negotiate the bike tracks.. makes me feel better anyway 😂
Hi James, absolutely wonderful, what an absolutely stunning view of Big Ben. It’s brilliant to see it from that angle, just looks a completely different mountain. I wouldn’t have recognised it.
Oh, and it’s not cheating, there’s no rules to say you have to walk all the way to a summit. Most mountains you don’t walk every meter.
Thank you as always for sharing your adventure with us. I’ve been on the gondola a few times, it’s a cracking ride.
All the best
Dave 😀⛰🥾🏴🚠
If the gondola is cheating, then using the North Face car park to get to Ben Nevis is cheating.
I did Ben Nevis via CMD and traversing the Arête 18 months ago. It’s an adventure for sure. Windy and a tough old boulder scramble up to the summit from the end of the Arête in the mist.
Hi James….It’s your Munro journey so it’s up to you how you choose to do it. Personally I wouldn’t use the gondola….but that’s immaterial as I wouldn’t do that route anyway.
It’s up too the individual how they see it, there are no rules.
Cheers James ATB.👍
Thats it Jim, I have made a habit of taking the ‘easier’ route for my Munro round as I can now look forward to exploring the interesting routes for next time 😁 Cheers, James
@@ScottishMunroJourney Hi James, I think most people do that the first time, I remember for about the first 40ish Munros I did everything by the book then realised you could link up hills and do bigger days and different ways…..
ATP James…great seeing your Journey on the hills..🏔️🏔️👍
I think it’s up to you James. On my Wainwright, Donald and Munro trips I park as high as I can usually, often use a MTB to ride in, and have even driven up forestry and wind farm tracks if the gates are open. I don’t like the gondolas visually on the hills eg Glenshee, Glencoe Ski Centre, but if they’re there….🤷🏻♂️
I would draw the line at taking the train all the way up Snowdon in North Wales though! That is cheating!!
Good luck with the rest. CMD Arete fabulous and not difficult. Family could do it if reasonably fit.
Great day out and views of The Ben. Not seen it from there as cloud was down when we did them. As for cheating…Your conscience will decide.
It's no more cheating in my view than getting the boat up Loch Mullardoch or driving up to the high car park in Glenshee or Ben Lawyers. When I did these many years ago I walked up from Glen Nevis and intended to get the gondola down but was too late, and ended up walking down the mountain bike track as there weren't any bikes around.
The reason that they are named the opposite from there size is that when they were named, before us silly buggers started walking up hills, they were named as they looked from the Glen.
That makes sense 😁🏔
Not cheating , who starts at Loch Tay for Ben Lawers ? Keep on with the munros, always great vids
Haha that makes me feel better 😂
I used the gondola too, definitely not cheating 😅 It's a spectacular walk if you drop down, then climb up Carn Mor Dearg, and eventually on to Ben Nevis. It does mean paying the same price, for just one way in the gondola though 💸
That sounds like a good route 😁 maybe one for the future, Cheers, James
I believe that Mor and Beag tend to refer to volume rather than height, which makes sense from the days when heights weren't known accurately.
Hi James. Great video as always.
Is it possible to hike up from the car park without getting in hit by Mountain Bike?
Still got Aonach Mor to do.
Thank you, think it is possible but pretty difficult now.. they have loads of signs to keep you off the path.. better from Glen Nevis I think, Cheers, James
Never knew there ware Gondalas in Scotland lol wow
Worth trying out, some great views from them 😁
Hi James, of course its cheating.......but we have all done it although I walked down just to cleanse my soul 😇😇 A quick look of the remaining Munro's. still some very interesting hills to do so there will be no lack of hands on rock and some great watches to come. Cheers.
Fun fact that was not pointed out, the track running down the side of Aonach Mor is the Fort William World Cup Downhill Mountain bike track, look it up if you have never heard of it.
I found the views quite over whelming for sense of size. Pls when was this filmed? Lot of lying snow, or was this from a recent snow fall? Thx for posting.JMO
This was mid June 😁 Cheers, James
Another fab day in the hills great views of the Ben....not cheating at all....😍
When you reach 282 and look back on your achievement, remember this upload 🤣 P.S I've been thinking about doing it this way as well 😎
@@beanser1 😂 I will definitely do them from Glen Nevis after just to make myself feel better..
I think good on you James and you do it your way. However, I do have a question as I really don’t know the answer. Is there any rules to be a completist that state how you get to each Munro and from what point on the hill etc?
Its about the experience at the end of the day and I thought the Gondola would add some interest to the route 😁 no rules to be a completist, you don’t even have to prove you have been at the summit of all 282.. hopefully my collection of videos is enough evidence for my certificate 😂
Cheers, James
@@ScottishMunroJourney anyway you’ve done amazing! Well done! Videos are top notch!
I feel more cheated by the cheeky Ben Nevis summit…
@@martinparsons4238 I couldn’t resist bagging a munro that day 😂 will be doing a full video in the future no doubt..
@@ScottishMunroJourneyagreed! Was shocked to the core when you admitted you had bagged Ben Nevis!
You set your own rules for whatever walking challenges you do. Personally don't like gondolas so perhaps these two might be ones you go back to when you return to hill-walking for fun.
Still got those two to do and yes we'll be using the gondola. Better make sure we get there for the first one so we don't miss the last one 😂 I've heard it's difficult to walk from the car park up due to lack of path access. Can't wait to see the views of the Ben. An teallach should be an adventure for ya.
The route in through Glen Nevis is a spectacular option.
Next time I will be doing it that way 😁
Haha plenty of time between first and last, even with all my messing about 😂 enjoy when you come to do them 😁 looking forward to An Teallach.. Cheers, James
3mins 43s in , I can see my house 😂
Well spotted 😂
Cheating? The top of the gondola is about the same altitude as the Cairngorm car parks and lower than Glenshee, definitely not I’d say. It’s not exactly the Snowdon railway….
Haha I feel better now 😂
If you take the gondola ye’ll not be applying to the Munro society for a compleation certificate ? Unless you do them under your own steam ?
@@Drew-h3t thankfully that is not the rules 😂 think of the amount of e-bikes that are used etc, also driving to the Glenshee & Cairngorm Ski Center is the same height as using the Gondola.. no rules, aslong as you make it to the top of all 282 your in 😁
How you do them is up to you. No hard and fast rules. The Munro books I have describe start for Glenshee hills from the ski carpark. No mention of ‘take the gondola’ for the Aonachs.
btw… enjoying your vids very much, keep up the good work.. !
No not cheating I used the gondola and climbed this pair in deep winter the climb up from the col between them up to Aonach beag was iced up and was a difficult ascent and decent but the Beag and Mor refer to the size of the mountain no their height in this case cheers
You make your own rules. You could fly a helicopter to every one I guess. Anyway you paid quite a hefty fine for it.
The nanming of the 2 hills is absoluitely logical when you realise that Mor means big in bulk and Beag small in bulk. Why else do the mighty Cairngorms have a lowly Ciorbett called Sgor Mor? - have a look at the map.
Similarly there are some apparently illogical Wester farm to the north, east or south of the Easter farm. It turns out the wester and easter are an east coast convention, therefore easter can mean downstream regardless of direction.
Definitely cheating James in fact I don't even think you had a cold looks like a hangover to me 😂😂
Did these from Glen Nevis before the gondola was built. Wouldn't use it mainly because if no-one used it it would close and possibly stop other eyesores being built. £25 you're joking.
Yes very expensive for what it was.. a nice experience but I will do it from Glen Nevis next time 😁
I also climbed these two Munro's from Glen Nevis many years ago and it was a slog, a few years ago I took my grandsons up via the gondola and it was a much more enjoyable experience so I wouldn't knock it, after all it's all about having a great outdoors adventure.
A wee bit disappointed to see you take the gondola , but everyone for themselves, I would not do it .
Most definitely cheating James but who gives a fk 😂😂 I think you deserve an easier day out especially if your not 100% 👍
Total cheating! Very surprised you did this! I Thought u were a Hillwalker! Not a tourist! Not good my friend! Mark!
😂 luckily there are no rules, but this day is still tougher than many other Munros.. Glenshee etc, can hopefully still call myself a hillwalker 😂 Cheers, James
@@ScottishMunroJourney Hi James, This walk is my only ever bale out I got high up the hill (walking no help) 😁😁, Then a blizzard hit I was around 3,800 ft as a guess , I didn't have goggles so i retreated, i did regret turning back but my moto is there is always another day! My replies on UA-cam are mainly light hearted fun as life is too serious, you are a fantastic mountain man , it is all about getting to the top, I did drive up to the ski centre so we all cheat a bit! Keep up the great video's! Cheers Mark!
Your Scottish Munro Journey so your rules. But personally I would not count this route. My rules are walk from a public road, or railway station. Sorry.
Climbing mountains as a hobby was born in the alps and the “normal route” up breithorn involves a cable car all the way to the hut at 3300m. I would do the same as you but this does count
I've done them both ways and really enjoyed the Gondola ride 👍
The toughest day for me James was Ben Nevis via the arete.
Headed up to the half way lochan and then round to the CIC hut, then straight up.
My heels never touched the ground until the summit of CMD🤯
I did it that way too, but every time now I’d go CMD arête from North Face car park given safe conditions. A wonderful route.