Karetai Peak

Karetai Peak
Southwest aspect
Highest point
Elevation	2,206 m (7,238 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence	226 m (741 ft) [2]
Parent peak	Te Wera Peak [3]
Isolation	1.67 km (1.04 mi) [2]
Coordinates	44°40′20″S168°02′45″E / 44.67222°S 168.04583°E / -44.67222; 168.04583 [2]
Naming
Etymology	Karetai
Geography
Karetai Peak Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Karetai Peak
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	Southland
Protected area	Fiordland National Park
Parent range	Darran Mountains [4]
Topo map(s)	NZMS260 D40 [5] NZTopo50 CB09 [4]
Geology
Rock age	136 ± 1.9 Ma
Rock type	Gabbronorite, dioritic orthogneiss
Climbing
First ascent	1937

Karetai Peak is a 2,206-metre-elevation (7,238-foot) mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.

Description

Karetai Peak is part of the Darran Mountains and it is situated nine kilometres east of Milford Sound in the Southland Region of the South Island. It is set within Fiordland National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site. ^[2] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's southwest slope drains into the headwaters of the Donne River, whereas the east slope drains to Chasm Creek and the northwest slope to Cleft Creek which are both tributaries of the Hollyford River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,300 metres (4,265 feet) above the Donne Valley in one kilometre. The nearest higher neighbour is Te Wera Peak, 1.67 kilometre to the north. ^[2] This mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board. ^[5] The peak was named in 1937 by Lindsay Stewart (1917–2010) who made the first ascent of the peak, to honour Karetai (1781–1860), a New Zealand tribal Māori leader. ^[5]

Climbing

The first ascent of the summit was made in November 1937 by David Lewis and Lindsay Stewart. ^[4]

Climbing routes with the first ascents: ^[4]

• North Ridge – David Lewis, Lindsay Stewart – (1937)
• South Ridge – Robin Pettit, Richard Price, Barry Scott, Doug Warren – (1972)
• East Face – Ken Calder, Bruce Clark, Pete Glasson, Al Smith – (1973)
• South West Face – Colin Dodge, Keith Lockwood – (1974)
• West Ridge – FA unknown

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Karetai Peak is located in a marine west coast climate zone. ^[6] 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. This climate supports the Taoka Icefall on the peak's west slope and the Te Puoho Glacier on the east slope. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. ^[7]

Karetai Peak to the right, Mount Underwood in upper left corner

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height
• Fiordland

References

1. Karetai Peak, Southland, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
2. "Karetai Peak, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
3. "Karetai Peak, Peakvisor.com" . Retrieved 25 January 2025.
4. Karetai Pk, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
5. Karetai Peak, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
6. Te Anau Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
7. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 25 January 2025.

External links

• Karetai Peak: weather
• Karetai Peak: New Zealand Alpine Club