Mount Blackburn (New Zealand)

Mountain in New Zealand

Mount Blackburn
South aspect, centred
Highest point
Elevation	2,409 m (7,904 ft)
Prominence	468 m (1,535 ft)
Isolation	7.07 km (4.39 mi)
Listing	Highest mountains of New Zealand
Coordinates	43°45′21″S 170°12′06″E / 43.75583°S 170.20167°E / -43.75583; 170.20167
Geography
Mount BlackburnLocation in New Zealand

Interactive map of Mount Blackburn
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury
Parent range	Southern Alps Burnett Mountains
Topo map	NZMS260 H36
Climbing
First ascent	March 1903

Mount Blackburn, also known as Rotten Tommy, is a 2,409-metre-elevation (7,904-foot) mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.

Description

Mount Blackburn is set in the Burnett Mountains of the Southern Alps and is situated in the Canterbury Region of South Island. This peak is located seven kilometres (4.3 mi) east of Mount Cook Village and can be seen from Mount Cook Road. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west to the Tasman River via Gorilla Stream and Chop Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,750 metres (5,741 feet) above the Tasman River in three kilometres, and 1,100 metres (3,609 feet) above Chop Creek in one kilometre. The nearest higher peak is The Nuns Veil, seven kilometres to the north-northeast. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1903 by Jack Clarke, C.J. Bainbridge, and W.G. Tennant. This mountain was originally christened Mount Giant by Andrew Burnett in 1894.

Climbing

Climbing routes with first ascents:

Original Route – Clarke, Bainbridge, Tennant – (1903)
Central Rib (South Face) – Jane Morris – (2012)
McKinnon Route (North West Face) – Guy McKinnon – (2012)

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Blackburn is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit. Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

Gallery

West aspect, centred
West aspect
Northwest aspect

References

Mount Blackburn, Canterbury, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 27 December 2024.
^ "Mount Blackburn, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
^ "Mount Blackburn, Peakvisor.com". Retrieved 27 December 2024.
^ Mt Blackburn (Rotten Tommy), New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 27 December 2024.
^ Mount Blackburn, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 27 December 2024.
The New Zealand Alps, O.J. Bainbridge, The Alpine Journal, Volume 22, Alpine Club, 1905, p. 109–112.
Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 27 December 2024.
The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 27 December 2024.