Mount Gunn (New Zealand)

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Mount Gunn
Mount Gunn.jpg
East aspect
Highest point
Elevation 2,044 m (6,706 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence 164 m (538 ft) [2]
Isolation 1.55 km (0.96 mi) [2]
Coordinates 44°45′18″S168°05′02″E / 44.755°S 168.084°E / -44.755; 168.084 [2]
Naming
Etymology David John Gunn
Geography
New Zealand (relief map).png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Gunn
Location in New Zealand
Mount Gunn (New Zealand)
Interactive map of Mount Gunn
Location South Island
Country New Zealand
Region Southland [2]
Protected area Fiordland National Park
Parent range Darran Mountains
Topo map NZMS260 D40 [3]
Geology
Rock age 136 ± 1.9 Ma
Rock type Gabbronorite, dioritic orthogneiss
Climbing
First ascent 1959

Mount Gunn is a 2,044-metre-elevation (6,706-foot) mountain in Southland New Zealand.

Contents

Description

Mount Gunn is part 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 to the Hollyford River via Marian Creek and Caples Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,900 metres (6,234 feet) above the Hollyford Valley in four kilometres and 1,450 metres (4,757 feet) above Caples Creek in two kilometres.

History

The mountain was named after David John Gunn (1887–1955), promoter of the Hollyford Track. [3] He was a farmer and bushman, running his cattle in the glacier-cut Hollyford Valley. Gunn tragically drowned in the Hollyford River in 1955. [4] The first ascent of the summit was made in 1959 by Bob Cuthill and Denise Schonyan. [5]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Gunn 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 southwest slope. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. [7]

See also

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References

  1. Mount Gunn, Southland, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mount Gunn, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  3. 1 2 Mount Gunn, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  4. The Rough Guide to New Zealand: Travel Guide eBook, Rough Guides, Apa Publications (UK) Limited, 2024, ISBN   9781839059551.
  5. Mt Gunn, 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.