Mount Dechen


Mount Dechen is a mountain in the West Coast Region of New Zealand.

Description

Mount Dechen is located in the Southern Alps of the South Island. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east into the Landsborough River, southwest into the headwaters of the Ōtoko River, and north into the headwaters of the Edison River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Ōtoko Valley in four kilometres, and above the Landsborough Valley in four kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Mount Ward, nine kilometres to the southeast. The mountain's toponym was applied by Julius von Haast to honour his geology teacher, Ernst Heinrich Karl von Dechen.

Climbing

The first ascent of the summit was made in March 1935 by Marjorie Edgar-Jones, Gladys Acton-Adams, Frank Alack, and Tom Christie.
Climbing routes with the first ascents:
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Dechen 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 fall in the form of rain or snow. This climate supports the Dechen and McCardell glaciers on the slopes of the peak. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.