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Mount Thomson (New Zealand)

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Mountain in New Zealand

Mount Thomson
East aspect, viewed from Mueller Hut
Highest point
Elevation2,642 m (8,668 ft)
Prominence178 m (584 ft)
Isolation1.68 km (1.04 mi)
Coordinates43°42′23″S 170°01′22″E / 43.70639°S 170.02278°E / -43.70639; 170.02278
Naming
EtymologyJohn Turnbull Thomson
Geography
Mount Thomson is located in New ZealandMount ThomsonMount ThomsonLocation in New Zealand
Interactive map of Mount Thomson
LocationSouth Island
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury / West Coast
Protected areaAoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Parent rangeSouthern Alps
Topo mapTopo50 BX15
Climbing
First ascentFebruary 1914

Mount Thomson is a 2,642-metre-elevation (8,668-foot) mountain in New Zealand.

Description

Mount Thomson is set on the crest or Main Divide of the Southern Alps and is situated on the boundary shared by the West Coast and Canterbury Regions of South Island. This peak is located six kilometres (3.7 mi) west-northwest of Mount Cook Village and set on the boundary shared by Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into the headwaters of the Douglas River and east to the Hooker River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,450 metres (4,757 feet) above the Mueller Glacier in two kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Sefton, three kilometres to the north-northeast. The mountain's toponym was applied by Gerhard Mueller to honour John Turnbull Thomson (1821–1884), Chief Surveyor of Otago who later became the first Surveyor General of New Zealand. This mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board.

Climbing

Climbing routes with the first ascents:

  • Original Route – Otto Frind, Conrad Kain – (February 1914)
  • Northern Exit – Otto Von Allmen, Paul Von Kanel – (January 1973)
  • Left Rib – Aat Vervoorn, Dave White – (February 1973)
  • West Ridge – FA unknown

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Thomson 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 upward by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow. This climate supports the Douglas, Frind, Donne, and Fyfe glaciers surrounding the peak. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

See also

Gallery

  • East aspect of Mount Thomson viewed from Hooker Valley Track East aspect of Mount Thomson viewed from Hooker Valley Track
  • East face East face
  • Thomson (left) and Sefton (right) viewed from Mueller Hut Thomson (left) and Sefton (right) viewed from Mueller Hut

References

  1. Mount Thomson, West Coast, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Mount Thomson, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  3. ^ Mt Thomson, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  4. ^ Mount Thomson, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  5. Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  6. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 28 December 2024.

External links

Places adjacent to Mount Thomson (New Zealand)
Douglas Glacier Mount Sefton The Footstool
Douglas River Mount Thomson Mueller Glacier
Hooker Range Fyfe Glacier Sealy Range
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
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