Taiaha Peak
Taiaha Peak is a mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.
Description
Taiaha Peak is located southwest of Christchurch in the South Island. It is set in the Elcho–Huxley Mountains of the Southern Alps. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's west slope drains into the headwaters of the North Branch of the Huxley River, whereas all other slopes drain into Thar and Paradise creeks which are tributaries of the Hopkins River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above Paradise Creek in one kilometre, and above the Hopkins Valley in three kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Boanerges, 3.5 kilometres to the south-southwest. The mountain's toponym is from the Māori language: the Taiaha is a traditional weapon of the Māori, and this peak's summit has a prominent spear-like shape.Climbing
Climbing routes with first ascents:- North West Face – O. Cantwell, Phil Cook, Frank Newmarch, R. Smith –
- South East Face – Ron Smoothy, Ellen Smoothy, Roger Thomson –
- West Ridge – Rob Battersby, Hamish Dunn –
- Via Paradise Valley – Thomas Evans, Jackson Green – I've found Cod – Paul Hersey, Graham Zimmerman –
- East Ridge – Shelly Graham, Graham Zimmerman –