Mount Foweraker

Mount Foweraker is an mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.

Description

Mount Foweraker is located northwest of Christchurch in Arthur's Pass National Park in the South Island. It is part of the Polar Range of the Southern Alps. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's slopes drains to the Waimakariri River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Waimakariri River Valley in three kilometres, and above Sudden Valley Stream in 1.5 kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Dome, 2.7 kilometres to the west. The mountain's toponym honours Charles Ethelbert Foweraker, a New Zealand botanist, forester, and academic. His focus on mountain plants and rainforests in New Zealand contributed to the understanding of South Island vegetation. He spent a considerable amount of time based at the Cass Field Station where he taught and researched in the area surrounding the field station and this then-unnamed mountain. The mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Foweraker 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.