Mount Underwood (New Zealand)
Description
Mount Underwood is part of the Darran Mountains and it is situated six kilometres east of Milford Sound in the Southland Region of the South Island. It is set within Fiordland National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's slopes drains south into the Donne River and west into the Tūtoko River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,120 metres (6,955 feet) above the Tūtoko Valley in two kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Patuki, 1.63 kilometre to the north. The mountain's toponym honours Thomas Underwood, captain of the ship Rotomahana, which operated cruises in Fiordland.
Climbing
The first ascent of the summit was made in 1938 by David Lewis and Lindsay Stewart.
Climbing routes with the first ascents:
- North East Ridge – David Lewis, Lindsay Stewart – (1938)
- South Ridge – Harold Jacobs, Paul Coradine – (1971)
- Donne (South) Face – Colin Strang, Allan Soon, Mark Easton, David Ellis – (1974)
- East Face Buttress – Galen Rowell, Miles Craighead, Graeme Elder, John Stanton – (1977)
- Taoka Icefall – FA unknown
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Underwood is located in a marine west coast climate zone. 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. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ Mount Underwood, Southland, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "Mount Underwood, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ Mt Underwood, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ Mount Underwood, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ Te Anau Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 25 January 2025.
External links
- Mount Underwood: weather
- Mount Underwood: New Zealand Alpine Club
- Flickr.com: Mount Underwood from Milford Sound Marina