Mount Lydia
Mountain in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mount Lydia is a 2,517-metre-elevation (8,258-foot) mountain in the South Island of New Zealand.
| Mount Lydia | |
|---|---|
South aspect | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,517 m (8,258 ft)[1][2] |
| Prominence | 527 m (1,729 ft)[2] |
| Isolation | 6.02 km (3.74 mi)[2] |
| Listing | New Zealand #67 |
| Coordinates | 44.465687°S 168.506069°E[2] |
| Geography | |
.png)  Mount Lydia Location in New Zealand | |
 | |
| Interactive map of Mount Lydia | |
| Location | South Island |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast / Otago |
| Protected area | Mount Aspiring National Park |
| Parent range | Southern Alps Snowdrift Range[3] |
| Topo map(s) | NZMS260 E39[4] Topo50 CA10[3] |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1920 |
Description
Mount Lydia is located 19 kilometres southwest of Mount Aspiring / Tititea in the Southern Alps. The summit is set on the boundary shared by the Otago and West Coast Regions of the South Island. It is also within Mount Aspiring National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's south slope drains to the Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu, whereas the north slope drains to the Joe River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,100 metres (6,890 feet) above the Joe River Valley in four kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Edward, six kilometres to the east.[2]
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Lydia 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 Ferrier and Snowball glaciers surrounding the mountain. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.[6]
Climbing
The first ascent of the summit was made on 1 December 1920 by Jock A. Sim, V.J. Leader, and Ken Grinling.[7]
Climbing routes:[3]
- Via Whitbourn Glacier
- Via Key Dome
See also
Gallery
Mount Ian (left) and Mount Lydia (right)
Aerial view of south aspect of Mount Lydia
