Du Faur Peak is a mountain in New Zealand.
Description Du Faur Peak is situated on the crest or Main Divide of the Southern Alps and set on the common boundary shared by the Canterbury and West Coast Regions of the South Island. It is located seven kilometres north of Mount Cook Village and set on the boundary shared by Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into the Copland River and east into Hooker Lake. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above Hooker Lake in two kilometres.
Etymology
The mountain's toponym honours Freda Du Faur (1882–1935), an Australian mountaineer who made the first ascent of this peak on 25 February 1912 with guide Peter Graham. She is best known as the first woman to climb New Zealand's tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook. She is credited with making numerous first ascents in this area including Mount Sealy, Mount Chudleigh, and Mount Dampier among others. Du Faur was a leading amateur climber of her day and she was the first female high mountaineer known to be active in New Zealand, although she never lived there.
Climbing Climbing routes with first ascents:Du Faur Pk, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 18 February 2025.
Standard Route – Freda Du Faur, Peter Graham – (1912) West Ridge – Kieran Parsons, Pat Brownlie – (2014)
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Du Faur Peak is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a tundra climate at the summit.Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 18 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. This climate supports the Stewart Glacier and glacierets on this mountain's slopes. 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 18 February 2025.
See also List of mountains of New Zealand by height
References
External links
Du Faur Peak: weather Du Faur Peak: New Zealand Alpine Club