Castle Hill Peak

Last updated
Castle Hill Peak
Castle Hill Peak.jpg
Northwest aspect
Highest point
Elevation 1,998 m (6,555 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence 1,148 m (3,766 ft) [2]
Isolation 4.95 km (3.08 mi) [2]
Coordinates 43°15′28″S171°46′11″E / 43.25778°S 171.76972°E / -43.25778; 171.76972 [2]
Geography
New Zealand (relief map).png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Castle Hill Peak
Location in New Zealand
Castle Hill Peak
Interactive map of Castle Hill Peak
Location South Island
Country New Zealand
Region Canterbury
Protected area Korowai / Torlesse Tussocklands Park
Parent range Southern Alps
Torlesse Range
Topo map NZMS260 L34 [3]

Castle Hill Peak is a 1,998-metre-elevation (6,555-foot) mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.

Contents

Description

Castle Hill Peak is the highest summit of the Torlesse Range which is a subrange of the Southern Alps. [3] [4] It is situated 70 kilometres (43 mi) west-northwest of the city of Christchurch and set on the boundary of Korowai / Torlesse Tussocklands Park. [5] It is the second-highest peak in the Selwyn District of the Canterbury Region of South Island. [6] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west to the Porter River, north to the Broken River and east into the Kowai River, all of which are part of the Waimakariri River drainage basin. [2] Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,300 metres (4,265 feet) above Ghost Creek in two kilometres. Climbing to the summit is a popular destination that can be accomplished by starting at Porters Pass and following an unmarked, well-worn trail towards Foggy Peak, then following the long, high, connecting ridge to Castle Hill Peak, 12 km (round-trip) from the pass. [5] [7] The nearest higher peak is Mount Enys, six km west in the Craigieburn Range. [2]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Castle Hill Peak is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone. [8] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upward 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. [9] Climate data for Castle Hill Village which is six kilometres northwest of Castle Hill Peak:

Climate data for Castle Hill Village (averages 2006–2020, records 2006–present), 726m
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)33.6
(92.5)		32.8
(91.0)		30.1
(86.2)		23.7
(74.7)		20.7
(69.3)		16.8
(62.2)		15.6
(60.1)		19.3
(66.7)		21.5
(70.7)		26.5
(79.7)		29.7
(85.5)		29.9
(85.8)		33.6
(92.5)
Mean maximum °C (°F)29.6
(85.3)		29.2
(84.6)		26.0
(78.8)		21.8
(71.2)		17.7
(63.9)		14.6
(58.3)		13.3
(55.9)		15.3
(59.5)		19.3
(66.7)		22.6
(72.7)		25.8
(78.4)		27.6
(81.7)		31.1
(88.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)22.2
(72.0)		22.0
(71.6)		19.4
(66.9)		15.1
(59.2)		11.6
(52.9)		8.1
(46.6)		7.8
(46.0)		9.9
(49.8)		12.8
(55.0)		15.1
(59.2)		17.8
(64.0)		20.0
(68.0)		15.2
(59.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)14.7
(58.5)		14.2
(57.6)		11.9
(53.4)		8.4
(47.1)		5.5
(41.9)		2.4
(36.3)		2.1
(35.8)		3.7
(38.7)		6.1
(43.0)		8.1
(46.6)		10.6
(51.1)		12.8
(55.0)		8.4
(47.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)7.8
(46.0)		7.4
(45.3)		5.7
(42.3)		3.1
(37.6)		0.9
(33.6)		−1.8
(28.8)		−2.2
(28.0)		−1.1
(30.0)		0.4
(32.7)		1.9
(35.4)		4.1
(39.4)		6.5
(43.7)		2.7
(36.9)
Mean minimum °C (°F)1.8
(35.2)		1.6
(34.9)		−0.7
(30.7)		−2.8
(27.0)		−5.0
(23.0)		−7.4
(18.7)		−7.8
(18.0)		−7.0
(19.4)		−5.5
(22.1)		−3.2
(26.2)		−2.0
(28.4)		0.7
(33.3)		−9.0
(15.8)
Record low °C (°F)−1.4
(29.5)		−1.2
(29.8)		−2.9
(26.8)		−5.1
(22.8)		−6.8
(19.8)		−11.0
(12.2)		−10.6
(12.9)		−9.8
(14.4)		−6.9
(19.6)		−5.9
(21.4)		−3.9
(25.0)		−1.7
(28.9)		−11.0
(12.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches)57.3
(2.26)		56.7
(2.23)		41.5
(1.63)		67.3
(2.65)		75.8
(2.98)		67.5
(2.66)		77.1
(3.04)		71.8
(2.83)		71.7
(2.82)		94.8
(3.73)		75.2
(2.96)		72.4
(2.85)		829.1
(32.64)
Source: Weather Summary Reports – Castle Hill Village [10]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Castle Hill Peak, Canterbury, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Castle Hill Peak, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  3. 1 2 Castle Hill Peak, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  4. ↑ Torlesse Range, Canterbury, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  5. 1 2 Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park, Department of Conservation, Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  6. ↑ "Castle Hill Peak, Peakvisor.com" . Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  7. ↑ Lonely Planet Best Day Walks New Zealand 1, Craig McLachlan, Lonely Planet, 2021, ISBN   9781838693282.
  8. ↑ Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  9. ↑ The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  10. ↑ "Castle Hill Village". CastleHill.net.NZ. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
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