Mount Lydia

Mount Lydia
South aspect
Highest point
Elevation	2,517 m (8,258 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence	527 m (1,729 ft) [2]
Isolation	6.02 km (3.74 mi) [2]
Listing	New Zealand #67
Coordinates	44°27′56″S168°30′22″E / 44.465687°S 168.506069°E / -44.465687; 168.506069 [2]
Geography
Mount Lydia Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Mount Lydia
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	West Coast / Otago
Protected area	Mount Aspiring National Park
Parent range	Southern Alps Snowdrift Range [3]
Topo map(s)	NZMS260 E39 [4] Topo50 CA10 [3]
Climbing
First ascent	1920

Mount Lydia is a 2,517-metre-elevation (8,258-foot) mountain in the South Island of New Zealand.

Description

Mount Lydia is located 19 kilometres southwest of Mount Aspiring / Tititea in the Southern Alps. The summit is set on the boundary shared by the Otago and West Coast Regions of the South Island. It is also within Mount Aspiring National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's south slope drains to the Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu, whereas the north slope drains to the Joe River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,100 metres (6,890 feet) above the Joe River Valley in four kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Edward, six kilometres to the east. ^[2]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Lydia is located in a marine west coast climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit. ^[5] 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. This climate supports the Ferrier and Snowball glaciers surrounding the mountain. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. ^[6]

Climbing

The first ascent of the summit was made on 1 December 1920 by Jock A. Sim, V.J. Leader, and Ken Grinling. ^[7]

Climbing routes: ^[3]

• Via Whitbourn Glacier
• Via Key Dome

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height
• Lydia Bradey

Gallery

• 
  Mount Ian (left) and Mount Lydia (right)
• 
  Aerial view of south aspect of Mount Lydia

References

1. Mount Lydia, West Coast, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 12 January 2025.
2. "Mount Lydia, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
3. Mt Lydia, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 12 January 2025.
4. Mount Lydia, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 12 January 2025.
5. Te Anau Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 12 January 2025.
6. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 12 January 2025.
7. Mountains, Ari's Base Camp, Retrieved 12 January 2025.

External links

• Mount Lydia: weather