Mount Belle
Mount Belle is a mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
Description
Mount Belle is part of the Wick Mountains and is situated above the east portal of Homer Tunnel 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 north slope drains into the headwaters of the Hollyford River, whereas the south slope drains into Neale Burn which is a tributary of the Clinton River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over above State Highway 94 in one kilometre, and the south face rises in one-half kilometre. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Talbot, 2.8 kilometres to the north.History
The first ascent of the summit was made in 1931 by Scott Gilkison and Norman Davis. The mountain's toponym was applied in 1912 by surveyor Duncan Macpherson to honour his wife, Isabella "Belle" Macpherson, who he married in 1896 and they had four children together. Duncan Macpherson was the son of John McPherson and Mount McPherson is situated three kilometres northwest on the opposite side of Homer Tunnel.Climbing
Climbing routes with the first ascents:- Original Route from Milford Road – Scott Gilkison, Norman Davis –
- North Face – Bill Gordon, Ralph Miller, David Henderson –
- South Face via Biggs Hudson – Barry Biggs, Calum Hudson –
- South Face via Price Scott – Richard Price, Barry Scott –
Climate