Mount Chevalier is a mountain in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Description
Mount Chevalier is part of the Two Thumb Range which is a 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 Macaulay River and east into North East Gorge Stream, which is a tributary of the Macaulay. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Macaulay Valley in three kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Achilles Peak, six kilometres to the east.][ The mountain's toponym was applied by Julius von Haast to honour Nicholas Chevalier (1828–1902), a Russian-born artist who visited New Zealand in 1865.][ The first ascent of the summit was made in December 1941 by Bob Clark-Hall and J.L. (Pat) Clark-Hall via the South Face.][ Mt Chevalier, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 4 February 2025.]
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Chevalier is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone.[ Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 4 February 2025.] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.[ The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 4 February 2025.]
Gallery
File:Chevalier and Ross.jpg|Mount Chevalier centred and Mount Ross to right, viewed from Lake Tekapo.
File:Lake Tekapo 30.jpg|Mount Ross to left, with Mount Chevalier behind (upper left corner).
South aspect, from south end of Lake Tekapo.
File:Lake Tekapo 33.jpg|Mount Chevalier and Mount Ross centred, viewed from Lake Tekapo.
File:Nicholas Chevalier oval photograph, c. 1870.jpg|Nicholas Chevalier
See also
-
List of mountains of New Zealand by height
External links
