Mount Belle

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Mount Belle
Northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation1,965 m (6,447 ft)[1][2]
Prominence85 m (279 ft)[2]
Isolation2.81 km (1.75 mi)[2]
Coordinates44°46′28″S 167°59′06″E / 44.77454°S 167.98501°E / -44.77454; 167.98501[1]
Naming
EtymologyIsabella (Gardner) Macpherson
Geography
Mount Belle is located in New Zealand
Mount Belle
Mount Belle
Location in New Zealand
Map
Interactive map of Mount Belle
LocationSouth Island
CountryNew Zealand
RegionSouthland[2]
Protected areaFiordland National Park
Parent rangeWick Mountains[3]
Topo map(s)Topo50 CB08[3]
NZMS260 D40[4]
Geology
Rock age136 ± 1.9 Ma
Rock type(s)Gabbronorite, dioritic orthogneiss
Climbing
First ascent1931

Mount Belle is a 1,965-metre-elevation (6,447-foot) mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.

Description

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Mount Belle is part of the Wick Mountains and is situated above the east portal of Homer Tunnel in the Southland Region of the South Island. It is set within Fiordland National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site.[2] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's north slope drains into the headwaters of the Hollyford River, whereas the south slope drains into Neale Burn which is a tributary of the Clinton River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 1,065 metres (3,494 feet) above State Highway 94 in one kilometre, and the south face rises 900 metres (2,953 feet) in one-half kilometre. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Talbot, 2.8 kilometres to the north.[2]

History

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The first ascent of the summit was made in 1931 by Scott Gilkison and Norman Davis.[3] The mountain's toponym was applied in 1912 by surveyor Duncan Macpherson (1873–1954) to honour his wife, Isabella "Belle" Macpherson (1874–1941), who he married in 1896 and they had four children together.[4] Duncan Macpherson was the son of John McPherson and Mount McPherson is situated three kilometres northwest on the opposite side of Homer Tunnel.

Climbing

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Climbing routes with the first ascents:[3]

  • Original Route from Milford Road – Scott Gilkison, Norman Davis – (1931)
  • North Face – Bill Gordon, Ralph Miller, David Henderson – (1960)
  • South Face via Biggs Hudson – Barry Biggs, Calum Hudson – (1974)
  • South Face via Price Scott – Richard Price, Barry Scott – (1974)

Climate

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Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Belle is located in a marine west coast climate zone.[5] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountain, where the air is forced upward by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain and snow. This climate supports a glacieret on the south slope. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Mount Belle, Southland, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Mount Belle, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Mt Belle, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b Mount Belle, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  5. ^ Te Anau Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  6. ^ The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 19 February 2025.
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