Mount Christina

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Mount Christina
Mount Christina.jpg
East-southeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation 2,474 m (8,117 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence 1,076 m (3,530 ft) [2]
Isolation 19.89 km (12.36 mi) [2]
Listing Highest mountains of New Zealand
Coordinates 44°47′35″S168°02′54″E / 44.793133°S 168.04847°E / -44.793133; 168.04847 [2]
Naming
Etymology Christina McKerchar Gillow
Geography
New Zealand (relief map).png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Christina
Location in New Zealand
Mount Christina
Interactive map of Mount Christina
Location South Island
Country New Zealand
Region Southland [2]
Protected area Fiordland National Park
Parent range Darran Mountains
Topo map(s) NZMS260 D41 [3]
Topo50 CB09
Geology
Rock age 136 ± 1.9 Ma
Rock type Gabbronorite, dioritic orthogneiss
Climbing
First ascent 1926

Mount Christina is a 2,474-metre-elevation (8,117-foot) mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.

Contents

Description

Mount Christina is the southernmost peak of the Darran Mountains and is situated in the Southland Region of 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 drains into tributaries of the Hollyford River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 2,000 metres (6,562 feet) above the Hollyford Valley in two kilometres. The mountain was named in 1870 by James McKerrow for Christina McKerchar (1838–1928), who later became the wife of George Gillow. [3] Christina was believed to be a friend of McKerrow's wife, Martha. [4] McKerrow had first seen the mountain from Mount Eglinton in 1863. [3] The first ascent of the summit was made in 1926 by Bob Sinclair, Ken Roberts, Harry Slater, George Moir, and Bill Grave. [5]

Climbing

Climbing routes on Mount Christina: [5]

Climate

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

See also

Related Research Articles

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Lake Alabaster / Wāwāhi Waka, also known by the Māori name of Waiwahuika, lies at the northern end of Fiordland, in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island. The lake runs from northeast to southwest, is five kilometres (3.1 mi), and covers seven km2 (2.7 sq mi).

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References

  1. Mount Christina, Southland, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mount Christina, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  3. 1 2 3 Mount Christina, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  4. New Zealand Alpine Journal, Volume 17, New Zealand Alpine Club, 1957, p. 130.
  5. 1 2 Mt Christina, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  6. Te Anau Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  7. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 2024-12-19.