The Nuns Veil

The Nuns Veil is a mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.

Description

The Nuns Veil is set in the Liebig Range of the Southern Alps and is situated in the Canterbury Region of South Island. This peak is located southeast of Aoraki / Mount Cook in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into Tasman Lake, south to the Tasman River via Gorilla Stream, and east to the Jollie River via Pinnacle Stream. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above Tasman Lake in 4.4 kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Nazomi, 11 kilometres to the northwest. The first ascent of the summit was made on 4 December 1907 by Peter Graham, Mick Collett, and Alistair Mackay. This mountain was named in 1889 by New Zealand surveyor Noel Brodrick. Other landforms in the immediate vicinity which also fit the Christian naming theme include: The Acolyte, Mount Biretta, Monastery Peak, Monk Glacier, Abbey Pass, The Abbot, and The Abbess.

Climbing

Climbing routes with first ascents:

Gorilla Stream – Peter Graham, Mick Collett, Dr. Mackay –
Turner's Couloir – George Bannister, Samuel Turner –
Pinnacle Stream – C.S. Brockett, S.J. Harris, N.D. Dench – The Far Side – Kiersten Price, Dave Crow – Unveiled – Sean Waters, Tim Balla – Five O’Clock Shadow – Asher March, Ed Sheppard –
''After Thought''

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, The Nuns Veil 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 drop in the form of rain or snow. This climate supports the Nuns Veil Glacier on the peak's south slope. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.