Gloriana Peak

Gloriana Peak is a mountain in New Zealand.

Description

Gloriana Peak is the fourth-highest peak in the Spenser Mountains, and 10th-highest peak in Nelson Lakes National Park. It is located north of Christchurch and set on the boundary shared by the Tasman District and Canterbury Region of the South Island. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's north slope drains to the Mātakitaki River, whereas the south slope drains into the Ada River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Ada River Valley in three kilometres, and above Camera Gully in 1.5 kilometre. The nearest higher neighbour is Faerie Queene, 2.28 kilometres to the east.

The Spenser Mountains are named after the poet Edmund Spenser. This peak's toponym comes from the character Gloriana who represents Queen Elizabeth I in his epic poem The Faerie Queene. This peak was named by William Travers, who named the Spenser Mountains, and he had an ancestral lineage to the Spenser family. This mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board. In keeping with the naming theme in this range associated with the poetry of Edmund Spenser, other names in the Spenser Mountains derived from The Faerie Queene include Duessa Peak, Faerie Queene, and Mount Una.

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Gloriana Peak is located in a marine west coast climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate 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, 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.

Climbing routes: