Mount Loughnan


Mount Loughnan is a mountain in New Zealand.

Description

Mount Loughnan is situated on the crest of the Southern Alps and on the northern boundary of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It is located west of the city of Christchurch and set on the common boundary shared by the Canterbury and West Coast Regions of South Island. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into the Butler River and east to the Godley River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Butler River in three kilometres. The first ascent of the summit was made on 29 December 1935 by J. Shanks, D.A. Carty, H. Smith, and L. Dumbleton via the Grey Glacier and North East Ridge. The nearest higher peak is Mount Moffat, three kilometres to the south-southwest.

Climbing

Climbing routes on Mount Loughnan:
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Loughnan is located in a marine west coast climate zone, with a tundra 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. This climate supports the Grey and Nansen glaciers on this mountain's slopes. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.