Mount Alarm

Mount Alarm
Southeast aspect, centred (Tapuae-o-Uenuku to right)
Highest point
Elevation	2,877 m (9,439 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence	397 m (1,302 ft) [2]
Isolation	2.57 km (1.60 mi) [2]
Listing	New Zealand #13
Coordinates	42°00′34″S173°38′15″E / 42.00943°S 173.637511°E / -42.00943; 173.637511 [2]
Geography
Mount Alarm Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Mount Alarm
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury / Marlborough
Protected area	Tapuae O Uenuku Scenic Reserve
Parent range	Kaikōura Ranges [3]
Topo map(s)	NZMS260 O30 [4] Topo50 BS27 [3]
Geology
Rock age	Cretaceous [5]
Rock type	Igneous rock [5]
Climbing
First ascent	1928

Mount Alarm is a 2,877-metre-elevation (9,439-foot) mountain in the South Island of New Zealand.

Description

Mount Alarm is set on the boundary shared by the Marlborough and Canterbury Regions of the South Island. It is located 42 kilometres north of the town of Kaikōura where it ranks as the second-highest peak in the Inland Kaikōura Range. ^[3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's south slope drains to the Waiau Toa / Clarence River, whereas the north slope drains to the Hodder River. Topographic relief is significant as the south face rises 700 metres (2,297 feet) in less than one kilometre. The nearest higher neighbour is Tapuae-o-Uenuku, 2.58 kilometres to the northeast. ^[2] The first ascent of the summit was made in 1928 by T.H. Fyffe and I.E. Rawnsley. ^[3] This mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board. ^[4]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Alarm is located in a marine west coast climate zone (Cfb). ^{[6] [7]} Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountain, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain and snow. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. ^[8]

Climbing

Climbing routes with the first ascents: ^[3]

• North East Ridge – T.H. Fyffe, I.E. Rawnsley – (1928)
• Branch Stream Route – J.H. Rose, Laird Thomson, Frank Simmonds – (1932)
• North West Ridge – George Carr, Ray Vickers – (1967)
• North Face – FA unknown

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height

References

1. Mount Alarm, Canterbury, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 13 January 2025.
2. "Mount Alarm, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
3. Mt Alarm, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 13 January 2025.
4. Mount Alarm, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 13 January 2025.
5. The Tectonic History of New Zealand, J.T. Kingma, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, February 1959, The Royal Society of New Zealand, p. 30.
6. Mount Alarm, Kaikoura District, Canterbury, New Zealand, Mindat.org, Retrieved 13 January 2025.
7. Te Anau Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 13 January 2025.
8. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 13 January 2025.

External links

• Mount Alarm: weather
• Mount Alarm: New Zealand Alpine Club