Faerie Queene is a mountain in New Zealand.
Description Faerie Queene is the second-highest peak in the Spenser Mountains, and is situated on the boundary shared by the Tasman District and Canterbury Region of the South Island. This peak is located north of Christchurch and set on the boundary of Nelson Lakes National Park. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's north slope drains to the Mātakitaki River, whereas the south slope drains into the Ada River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Ada River Valley in two kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Una, 7.8 kilometres to the northeast.
Etymology The Spenser Mountains are named after the poet Edmund Spenser.Spenser Mountains, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 17 February 2025. This peak's toponym comes from his epic poem The Faerie Queene, in keeping with the naming theme in this range associated with the poetry of Edmund Spenser. Other names in the Spenser Mountains derived from The Faerie Queene include Duessa Peak, Gloriana Peak, and Mount Una. These peaks were probably named by William Travers, who named the Spenser Mountains, and himself had an ancestral lineage to the Spenser family.Faerie Queene, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 17 February 2025. This mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board.
Climbing Climbing routes:Faerie Queene, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 17 February 2025.
South East Face – R.S. Odell – December 1933 Divide Route Matakitaki Routes
Climate Based on the Köppen climate classification, Faerie Queene is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 17 February 2025. Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upward 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 17 February 2025.
See also List of mountains of New Zealand by height
References
External links Weather: Faerie Queene Faerie Queene: New Zealand Alpine Club