Mount Avalanche

Mount Avalanche is a 2,606-metre-elevation (8,550-foot) mountain in New Zealand.

Mount Avalanche
South aspect
Highest point
Elevation	2,606 m (8,550 ft)[1][2]
Prominence	366 m (1,201 ft)[2]
Isolation	2.75 km (1.71 mi)[2]
Listing	Highest mountains of New Zealand
Coordinates	44.422226°S 168.74122°E / -44.422226; 168.74122[2]
Naming
Etymology	Avalanche
Geography
Mount Avalanche Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Mount Avalanche
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	West Coast / Otago
Protected area	Mount Aspiring National Park
Parent range	Southern Alps
Topo map(s)	NZMS260 F39[3] Topo50 CA11[4]
Climbing
First ascent	January 1935

Description

Mount Avalanche is located four kilometres south 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 slopes drains to the Matukituki River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,000 metres (6,562 feet) above the Kitchener River in three kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Rob Roy Peak, 3.6 kilometres to the south.^[2]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Avalanche 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 Bonar, Hood, Avalanche, and Maud Francis glaciers on the mountain's slopes. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.^[6]

Climbing

Climbing routes with first ascents:^[4]

• West Ridge – Dennis Leigh, Bill Walker, Jock Sim – (1935)
• North Ridge – Neil Hamilton, Pearl Wright, Ron Knightley – (1949)
• South Ridge – Tony Bowden, Graham Bishop – (1963)
• West to East Peak Traverse – Laurie Kennedy, Dave Innes – (1969)
• Maud Francis Glacier

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height

Gallery

• 
  Southwest aspect with Maud Francis Glacier
• 
  Southeast aspect with Avalanche Glacier. Rob Roy Peak to left.
• 
  Mount Avalanche in front of Mount Aspiring