Mount Bonpland

Mount Bonpland is a 2,343-metre-elevation (7,687-foot) mountain in Otago, New Zealand.

Mount Bonpland
Northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation	2,343 m (7,687 ft)[1][2][3]
Prominence	1,167 m (3,829 ft)[2]
Isolation	18.42 km (11.45 mi)[2]
Coordinates	44.826508°S 168.279138°E / -44.826508; 168.279138[2]
Naming
Etymology	Aimé Bonpland
Geography
Mount Bonpland Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Mount Bonpland
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	Otago[4]
Parent range	Southern Alps Humboldt Mountains[3]
Topo map(s)	NZMS260 E41[4] Topo50 CB09[3]
Climbing
First ascent	1894

Description

Mount Bonpland is the highest peak in the Humboldt Mountains which are a subrange of the Southern Alps on the South Island.^[1][3] It is located nine kilometres west of the settlement of Glenorchy. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's slopes drains east into Glacier Burn which is a tributary of the Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu, and west to Caples River, with both rivers emptying shortly thereafter into Lake Wakatipu. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,030 metres (6,660 feet) above the lake in six kilometres, and 540 metres (1,772 feet) above Bryant Glacier in 0.5 kilometre. The nearest higher peak is Mount Christina, 18.5 kilometres to the west.^[5] This mountain's toponym was applied by James McKerrow to honour Aimé Bonpland (1773–1858), a French explorer and botanist who traveled with Alexander von Humboldt in Latin America from 1799 to 1804.^[4] The first ascent of the summit was made in 1894 by W.J.P. Hodgkins and E. Bryant.^[3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Bonpland 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 upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain and snow. This climate supports the Bryant Glacier on the east slope of the peak. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.^[7]

Climbing

Climbing routes:^[3]

• East Face
• East Face Direct
• East Face – North Ridge
• West Ridge

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height

Gallery

• 
  Bold Peak (left) and the Mount Bonpland complex, from east.
• 
  South aspect of Mount Bonpland (left), Bold Peak to right
• 
  Mount Bonpland centred, view from plane
• 
  Aerial view of Mount Bonpland from east with what remains of Bryant Glacier
• 
  East aspect