Mount Adams (New Zealand)
Mount Adams | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,208 m (7,244 ft) |
Prominence | 754 m (2,474 ft) |
Coordinates | 43°06′02″S 170°31′40″E / 43.1005°S 170.5277°E |
Geography | |
South Island, New Zealand | |
Parent range | Southern Alps |
Topo map | Topo50 BW17 – Harihari NZMS 260: I35 Whataroa |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | New Zealand Alpine Grade 1 |
Mount Adams is a mountain in the
Mount Adams lies to the west of the main divide of the
Climate
This area, like much of the West Coast region, is subject to high
Geology
The
On 6 October 1999, a large rock landslide originating near the northern summit of Mount Adams deposited c.10–15 million cubic metres of rock in the Poerua River 1,790 metres (5,870 ft) below. This created a 120-metre (390-foot) high landslide dam, which formed a lake that extended 1.2 kilometres upstream. The dam failed six days later during heavy rain. Fears of major damage did not turn into reality when the dam was breached, though significant quantities of coarse gravel were deposited downstream and the river's path was changed in places.[8]
Access
Mount Adams is unique in that it is one of the only glaciated peaks situated on or to the west of the main divide that is accessible as a weekend trip from a west coast road end.[9] The standard route to the summit starts from a hidden layby off SH6 and heads up Dry Creek/Little Man River to a steep spur where a marked route starts. The marked route ends at the bushline and the remainder of the climb is on tussock, rock, and eventually the summit ice cap glacier.
Although this route is technically not difficult, it involves multiple river crossings, off track travel up Dry Creek/Little Man River and above the bushline, and glacial travel requiring an ice axe and crampons.[10] The overall elevation gain, from highway to summit, is approximately 2,100 metres (6,900 ft). Most parties take two days to summit and return to SH6, though it is possible in a long summer day.
References
- ^ "Place name detail: Mount Adams". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
- ^ Pat Barrett, 17 August 1999, "Top From the Top", Christchurch Press, pg. 36.
- ^ West Coast Regional Council, retrieved 1 January 2010
- ^ West Coast Regional Council, retrieved 1 January 2010
- ^ Department of Geology, University of Otago, retrieved 2 January 2010
- ^ Department of Geology, University of Otago, retrieved 2 January 2010 Archived 24 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Graham T. Hancox, Mauri J. McSaveney, and Vernon R. Manville, 2005, "The October 1999 Mount Adams rock avalanche and subsequent landslide dam-break flood and effects in Poerua River, Westland, New Zealand" Archived 6 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 48, pp. 683–705.
- ^ "Report on the 6 October 1999 landslide and its effects". Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2006.
- ^ FederatedMountain Clubs of New Zealand, FMC Bulletin July 2008, Number 176, [1]
- ^ Pat Barrett, 17 August 1999, "Top From the Top", Christchurch Press, pg. 36.