Falling Mountain
| Falling Mountain | |
|---|---|
 West aspect | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,901 m (6,237 ft)[1][2] |
| Prominence | 241 m (791 ft)[2] |
| Isolation | 2.96 km (1.84 mi)[2] |
| Coordinates | 42°53′58″S 171°41′14″E / 42.89958°S 171.68733°E[1] |
| Geography | |
.png)  Falling Mountain Location in New Zealand | |
 | |
| Interactive map of Falling Mountain | |
| Location | South Island |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury / West Coast |
| Protected area | Arthur's Pass National Park |
| Parent range | Southern Alps[3] |
| Topo map(s) | Topo50 BV21[3] NZMS260 K33[4] |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Triassic[5] |
| Rock type | Rakaia Terrane[5] |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | December 1930 |
Falling Mountain is a 1,901-metre-elevation (6,237-foot) mountain in New Zealand.
Description
[edit]Falling Mountain is located 115 kilometres (71 mi) northwest of Christchurch on the boundary of Arthur's Pass National Park. It is set along the crest or Main Divide of the Southern Alps and is situated on the boundary shared by the West Coast and Canterbury Regions of the South Island.[3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's east slope drains into the headwaters of the East Branch Otehake River, whereas the west slope drains into the headwaters of the Edwards River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 700 metres (2,297 feet) above the East Branch Otehake in one kilometre. The nearest higher peak is Mount Oates, 3.4 kilometres to the northwest.[2] The mountain's toponym was applied following the 1929 Arthur's Pass earthquake that caused a section of the 900-metre-high northwest side of the mountain to collapse and virtually split the mountain in two.[3][4] The first ascent of the summit was made on 10 December 1930 by C.E. Fenwick, H.F. Baird, and H. McD Vincent via the South West Ridge.[3]
Climate
[edit]Based on the Köppen climate classification, Falling Mountain is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.[6] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.[7]
Gallery
[edit]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Falling Mountain, Canterbury, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Falling Mountain, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Falling Mountain, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ a b Falling Mountain, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ a b Geological Map of New Zealand, GNS Science geological web map application, Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 2 March 2025.
External links
[edit]
- Falling Mountain: New Zealand Alpine Club
- Falling Mountain: weather
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