Aonach Mòr
Encyclopedia
Aonach Mòr is a mountain
in the Highlands
of Scotland
. It is located about 2 miles/ 3 km north east of Ben Nevis
on the south side of Glen Spean, near the town of Fort William
. The Nevis Range ski
area is located on the northern slopes of the peak; the use of this name has inspired some controversy, as it has been considered by some to represent a deliberate changing of an indigenous name.
The name Aonach Mòr implies that the mountain is bigger than its close neighbour to the south, Aonach Beag
(small ridge), to which it is linked by a high bealach. However Aonach Mòr is 13 metres lower than Aonach Beag; the names refer to the relative bulk of the mountains when seen from the valley, rather than their altitude
above sea level.
The ski resort features a gondola lift
and several chairlift
s and ski tow
s. In winter these are used for skiing
and snowboarding
; in summer the gondola is used for lifting riders to the top of the downhill mountain biking
track. It's also used by paraglider pilots to reach a variety of launching points.
The easiest route of ascent is to simply take the gondola to the top station (a height of 650 m (2,100 feet) above sea level), and walk the remaining way. More traditionally, the hill is often climbed from the south from Glen Nevis
; the walker thus avoiding the paraphernalia associated with the ski development. Aonach Mòr is almost invariably climbed in conjunction with Aonach Beag.
The Nevis Range resort has hosted the Mountain Bike World Cup
nine times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), and hosted the Mountain Bike World Championships
in 2007.
The SPEA FIM Trial World Championship will be held at Nevis Range in 2010 and 2012. The Trial des Nations
will also be held here in September 2011. This will be the first time ever that this inter countries team competition has been hosted on the UK mainland during its entire history.
Aonach Mor's Coire an Lochain holds one of Scotland's longest lasting snow-patches (grid reference NN193736), which sits at an altitude of 1120m.
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
in the Highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is located about 2 miles/ 3 km north east of Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. It is located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William....
on the south side of Glen Spean, near the town of Fort William
Fort William, Scotland
Fort William is the second largest settlement in the highlands of Scotland and the largest town: only the city of Inverness is larger.Fort William is a major tourist centre with Glen Coe just to the south, Aonach Mòr to the north and Glenfinnan to the west, on the Road to the Isles...
. The Nevis Range ski
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
area is located on the northern slopes of the peak; the use of this name has inspired some controversy, as it has been considered by some to represent a deliberate changing of an indigenous name.
The name Aonach Mòr implies that the mountain is bigger than its close neighbour to the south, Aonach Beag
Aonach Beag
Aonach Beag is a mountain in the Highlands of Scotland. It is located about 3 km east of Ben Nevis on the north side of Glen Nevis, near the town of Fort William...
(small ridge), to which it is linked by a high bealach. However Aonach Mòr is 13 metres lower than Aonach Beag; the names refer to the relative bulk of the mountains when seen from the valley, rather than their altitude
Altitude
Altitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used . As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context...
above sea level.
The ski resort features a gondola lift
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
and several chairlift
Chairlift
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs...
s and ski tow
Ski tow
thumb|right|A rope tow or ski tow.A ski tow, also called rope tow or handle tow, is a mechanised system for pulling skiers and snowboarders uphill....
s. In winter these are used for skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
and snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
; in summer the gondola is used for lifting riders to the top of the downhill mountain biking
Downhill cycling
Downhill biking is a gravity-assisted time trial mountain biking event. Riders race against the clock, usually starting at intervals of 30 seconds , on courses which typically take two to five minutes to complete. Riders come from all around the world. Riders are timed with equipment similar to...
track. It's also used by paraglider pilots to reach a variety of launching points.
The easiest route of ascent is to simply take the gondola to the top station (a height of 650 m (2,100 feet) above sea level), and walk the remaining way. More traditionally, the hill is often climbed from the south from Glen Nevis
Glen Nevis
Glen Nevis is a glen in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, with Fort William at its foot. It is bordered to the south by the Mamore range, and to the north by the highest mountains in the British Isles: Ben Nevis, Càrn Mor Dearg, Aonach Mòr, and Aonach Beag...
; the walker thus avoiding the paraphernalia associated with the ski development. Aonach Mòr is almost invariably climbed in conjunction with Aonach Beag.
The Nevis Range resort has hosted the Mountain Bike World Cup
Mountain Bike World Cup
The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is a multi-round mountain bike racing series that is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale. The first World Cup series – which was composed of cross-country events – was held in 1989. The Downhill World Cup was inaugurated two years later, and the Dual...
nine times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), and hosted the Mountain Bike World Championships
Mountain Bike World Championships
The UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships are the world championship events for mountain bike racing events in cross country, downhill, four-cross and trials riding events. It is organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale , and winners are presented with a gold medal and are entitled...
in 2007.
The SPEA FIM Trial World Championship will be held at Nevis Range in 2010 and 2012. The Trial des Nations
Trial des Nations
Trial des Nations is the most important Motorcycle trials competition of national teams organized by the International Motorcycling Federation . It has been held annually since 1984 at different countries. Each team is composed of four riders in the male category, and since 2000, three riders in...
will also be held here in September 2011. This will be the first time ever that this inter countries team competition has been hosted on the UK mainland during its entire history.
Aonach Mor's Coire an Lochain holds one of Scotland's longest lasting snow-patches (grid reference NN193736), which sits at an altitude of 1120m.