Mount Christina

Mount Christina
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
Mount Christina Location in New Zealand
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(s)	Gabbronorite, dioritic orthogneiss
Climbing
First ascent	1926

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

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]

• Original Route – Bob Sinclair, Ken Roberts, Harry Slater, George Moir, Bill Grave – (1926)
• Gordon Hall-Jones Miller – Bill Gordon, Gerry Hall-Jones, Ralph Miller – (1955)
• South West Face – Bill Gordon, Ralph Miller, Dal Ryan – (1957)
• East Ridge – Ron Dickie, Harold Jacobs – (1964)
• Brookes Simpson – Austin Brookes, Archie Simpson – (1965)
• South Ridge – Murray Jones, Harold Jacobs – (1966)
• Skyline Buttress – Austin Brookes, Roger McCurdy, Bev Noble, Rod McLeod – (1974)
• McLeod Route – Bill McLeod – (1980)
• South West Ridge – Dave Vass – (1989)
• The European Connection – Greg Aimer, Dave Brash, Jurgren Besswenger – (1990)
• Complete East Ridge – Craig Jefferies, Steve Skelton, Kyle Walter – (2021)

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]

Gallery

• 
  Northeast aspect, from Lake MacKenzie Lodge
• 
  South aspect of Mount Christina centred, Ngatimamoe Peak left
• 
  Mount Christina seen from Key Summit, with Mount Crosscut to right
• 
  Mount Christina (right) viewed from Key Summit

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height
• Fiordland

References

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

External links

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