Fettes Peak

Fettes Peak
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation	2,451 m (8,041 ft)[1][2]
Prominence	921 m (3,022 ft)[2]
Isolation	6.53 km (4.06 mi)[2]
Listing	New Zealand #85
Coordinates	43°45′03″S 169°52′11″E[2]
Geography
Fettes Peak Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Fettes Peak
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	West Coast
Protected area	Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Parent range	Southern Alps Hooker Range[3]
Topo map(s)	NZMS260 H36[4] Topo50 BY15[3]
Climbing
First ascent	January 1935[3]

Fettes Peak is a 2,451-metre-elevation (8,041-foot) mountain in the West Coast Region of New Zealand.

Description

Fettes Peak is located on the southernmost boundary of Westland Tai Poutini National Park in the Southern Alps of the South Island. The mountain is situated at the triple junction point where the Bare Rocky, Hooker, and Bannock Brae subranges converge. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains south into the Landsborough River, northeast into the Troyte River, and northwest into the headwaters of the Jacobs River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,650 metres (5,413 feet) above the Landsborough Valley in three kilometres, and the northeast face rises 1,250 metres (4,101 feet) in one kilometre. The nearest higher peak is Mount Strachan, six kilometres to the southwest.[2] The mountain's toponym was applied in 1885 by Charlie Douglas, New Zealand surveyor and explorer. He was descended on his mother's side from William Fettes, the founder of Fettes College in Edinburgh, Scotland.[4]

Climbing

The first ascent of the summit was made in January 1935 by Archie Scott, Christopher Johnson, and Scott Russell.[3]

Climbing routes with the first ascents:[3]

• South Ridge – Archie Scott, Christopher Johnson, Scott Russell – (1935)
• West Face – Marie Byles, Marjorie Edgar-Jones, Harry Ayres, Frank Alack – (1935)
• North East Ridge – Stu Allan, Olly McCahon – (1971)
• North West Flank – Aat Vervoorn, Dave Chowdhury – (2001)
• Troyte Face – Ruari Macfarlane, Allan Brent – (2022)[5]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Fettes Peak is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.[6] 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 fall in the form of rain or snow. This climate supports the Zircon and Fettes glaciers on the southern slope of the peak. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.[7]

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height

References

1. Fettes Peak, West Coast, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 11 January 2025.
2. "Fettes Peak, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
3. Fettes Pk, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 11 January 2025.
4. Fettes Peak, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 11 January 2025.
5. Alpine Summary 2022 New Zealand, Southern Alps, Ben Dare, 2023, publications.americanalpineclub.org, Retrieved 11 January 2025.
6. Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 11 January 2025.
7. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 11 January 2025.

External links

• Weather: Fettes Peak
• Fettes Peak: New Zealand Alpine Club