Tuhawaiki Mountain

Tuhawaiki Mountain, also known as Mount Tuhawaiki, is a 2,092-metre-elevation (6,864-foot) mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.

Tuhawaiki Mountain
Southeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation	2,092 m (6,864 ft)[1][2]
Prominence	147 m (482 ft)[2]
Parent peak	Mount Tūtoko[2]
Isolation	1.29 km (0.80 mi)[2]
Coordinates	44°41′02″S 168°04′39″E[1]
Naming
Etymology	Named for Tūhawaiki
Geography
Tuhawaiki Mountain Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Tuhawaiki Mountain
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(s)	Gabbronorite, dioritic orthogneiss
Climbing
First ascent	February 1937

Description

Tuhawaiki Mountain is part of the Darran Mountains. It is situated in the Southland Region of South Island, and set within Fiordland National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[2] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Hollyford River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,000 metres (6,562 feet) above the Hollyford Valley in three kilometres.

History

The first ascent of the summit was made in February 1937 by Alex Dickie and Jim Speden.^[4] The mountain was named by Alex Dickie to honour Tūhawaiki, a paramount chief of the Ngāi Tahu Māori iwi.^[3] This mountain's toponym has been officially approved as Tuhawaiki Mountain by the New Zealand Geographic Board.^[3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Tuhawaiki Mountain 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 Korako Glacier on the peak's south slope. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.^[6]

Climbing

Climbing routes with the first ascents:^[4]

• South East Ridge – Alex Dickie, Jim Speden – (1937)
• West Ridge – A. M. Green, Jim Milne, Richard Stewart – (1959)
• North Ridge – John Cocks, Richard Whinham, Al Smith, Pete Glasson – (1972)
• Walk-off Spur – John McCallum, Tom Riley, Dave Vass – (2013)
• Over the Rain Bro – Kester Brown, Greg Jack, Troy Mattingley – (2014)
• Weigh a Pie – Mike Buchanan, Kieran Parsons – (2015)
• South Face – Stephen Skelton, Ben Dare – (2016)^[7]

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height
• Fiordland

Gallery

• 
  Tuhawaiki Mountain right of centre
• 
  Tuhawaiki Mountain centred
• 
  Tuhawaiki Mountain centred, Mount Revelation (left), Te Wera Peak (right)