Mount Chevalier

Mount Chevalier is a mountain in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Description

Mount Chevalier is part of the Two Thumb Range which is a subrange of the Southern Alps. It is located west of the city of Christchurch in the Canterbury Region of the South Island. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into the Macaulay River and east into North East Gorge Stream, which is a tributary of the Macaulay. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Macaulay Valley in three kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Achilles Peak, six kilometres to the east. The mountain's toponym was applied by Julius [von Haast] to honour Nicholas Chevalier, a Russian-born artist who visited New Zealand in 1865. The first ascent of the summit was made in December 1941 by Bob Clark-Hall and J.L. Clark-Hall via the South Face.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Chevalier 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 upwards 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.