Brodrick Peak

Brodrick Peak
South aspect, centred on skyline
Highest point
Elevation	2,669 m (8,757 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence	269 m (883 ft) [2]
Isolation	2.81 km (1.75 mi) [2]
Listing	New Zealand #26
Coordinates	43°29′53″S170°23′38″E / 43.49806°S 170.39389°E / -43.49806; 170.39389 [2]
Naming
Etymology	Noel Brodrick
Native name	Tarahaka (Māori) [3]
Geography
Brodrick Peak Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Brodrick Peak
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury / West Coast
Protected area	Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Parent range	Southern Alps
Topo map(s)	NZMS260 I35 [3] Topo50 BX16 [4]
Climbing
First ascent	1917

Brodrick Peak is a 2,669-metre-elevation (8,757-foot) mountain in New Zealand.

Description

Brodrick Peak is situated on the crest or Main Divide of the Southern Alps and on the boundary of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It is located 194 kilometres (121 mi) west of the city of Christchurch and set on the common boundary shared by the Canterbury and West Coast Regions of the South Island. ^[3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains northwest into the Whataroa River, south to the Murchison River, and east to the Godley River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,400 metres (4,593 feet) above the Whymper Glacier in two kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Aylmer, 2.82 kilometres to the southwest. ^[2] The first ascent of the summit was made on 1 December 1917 by Will Kennedy and Jack Lippe. ^[5]

Etymology

This mountain's toponym honours Noel Brodrick (1855–1931), district surveyor for South Canterbury who explored much of this region from 1881 through 1891. ^[3] The Māori name for the peak is "Tarahaka", meaning indentation or saddle of a hill. ^[3]

Climbing

Climbing routes with first ascents: ^[4]

• Main Divide – Will Kennedy, Jack Lippe – (1917)
• Via Whymper Saddle – D.W. Beatty, P.A.L. Fraser, A.W. McNaught, J.V. McNulty – (1955)
• South West Ridge (descent) – John Gamlen, Keith McNaughton – (1967)
• Loves Last (South Face) – Graham Love, Dave Carlyle – (1985)
• South East Ridge – FA unknown
• Via Whataroa Saddle – FA unknown

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Brodrick Peak is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a tundra climate 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. This climate supports the Murchison, Classen, and Whymper glaciers surrounding this mountain's slopes. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. ^[7]

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height

References

1. Brodrick Peak, West Coast, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 15 January 2025.
2. "Brodrick Peak, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
3. Brodrick Peak, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 14 January 2025.
4. Brodrick Pk, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 15 January 2025.
5. New Zealand Alpine Journal, Volume 4, New Zealand Alpine Club, 1976, p. 107.
6. Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 15 January 2025.
7. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 15 January 2025.

External links

• Brodrick Peak: weather
• Brodrick Peak: Climbnz.org