Mount Sibbald


Mount Sibbald is a mountain in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Description

Mount Sibbald is the highest point of the Sibbald Range which is a small 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 Godley River and east to the Macaulay River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Macaulay Valley in three kilometres, and above the Godley Valley in four kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount D'Archiac, nine kilometres to the north. The mountain's toponym honours Sea Captain William Sibbald, the first runholder at nearby Lilybank Station in 1868. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1917 by Edgar Williams and William Kennedy.

Climbing

Climbing routes and the first ascents:
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Sibbald 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 small unnamed glaciers on this mountain's slopes. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.