Red Peak is located 120 kilometres (75mi) west of Christchurch in the Southern Alps on the South Island. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's north slope drains to the Rakaia River via Reischek Stream, whereas the south slope drains into the headwaters of the Lawrence River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,137 metres (3,730 feet) above the Lawrence River in 1.5 kilometre, and 737 metres (2,418 feet) above the Reischek Glacier in one kilometre. The nearest higher neighbour is Jagged Peak, 2.7 kilometres to the southeast.[2] This mountain was originally named Mount Gould by Julius von Haast to honour John Gould, however the first ascent party of Lloyd Wilson and H.W. Cormack renamed it on account that the rock in this area is an especially red colour.[3] This mountain's descriptive toponym has been officially approved as Red Peak by the New Zealand Geographic Board.[3] The Mount Gould toponym was transferred to the 2,406-metre peak that is one kilometre immediately to the west.[5]
West Ridge – Jack Pattle, Warren Jones, Alan Morgan, Bob Watson – (1952)
East Ridge – Mike Nelson, Robin Johnson – (1954)
Lawrence Face – Alan Foot, Brian Stickle, W. Ellery – (1956)
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Red Peak is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.[6] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upward by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow. This climate supports the Reischek and Lawrence glaciers surrounding the peak. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.[7]
Climate data for Upper Rakaia, elevation 1,752m (5,748ft), (1991–2020)
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