Dun Fiunary is located 230 kilometres (143mi) southwest of Christchurch in the Ruataniwha Conservation Park. The peak is set between the Dobson Valley and Lake Pukaki in the Ben Ohau Range of the Southern Alps.[3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east into Lake Pukaki whereas the west slope drains into the Dobson River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,800 metres (5,906 feet) above the Dobson Valley in four kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Glentanner Peak, four kilometres to the north.[2] The mountain's toponym comes from the Scottish traditional song, Farewell to Fiunary, specifically the line, "And viewed the sun's departing ray wand'ring o'er Dun Fiunary."[6] "Dun" is a nut-brown colour and "Fiunary" is a coastal town in the Scottish Highlands. The song was written by Rev. Dr. Norman MacLeod.
South Face – Kynan Bazley, Antony Bush – (October 2004)
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Dun Fiunary is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone,[7] with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.[8] 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.[9]
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