Sabre Peak is a mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.

Description

Sabre Peak is part of the Darran Mountains and is situated in the Southland Region of the

South Island The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...

. It is set within Fiordland National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

World Heritage Site World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an treaty, international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural ...

. The peak is considered by some to be New Zealand's best rock-climbing peak, with the routes on the South Face among the best. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to the Hollyford River via Marian Creek, Moraine Creek, and Caples Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over above Lake Mariana in less than one kilometre, and above Lake Adelaide in two kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Crosscut, 2.27 kilometres to the south.

History

The

first ascent In mountaineering and climbing, a first ascent (abbreviated to FA in climbing guidebook, guide books), is the first successful documented climb to the top of a mountain or the top of a particular climbing route. Early 20th-century mountaineers a ...

of the summit was made in December 1954 by Bryce Wood, Dal Ryan, and Bill Gordon.''Sabre Pk''
New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 19 February 2025. The peak's descriptive name was applied by Bryce Wood and the toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board.''Sabre Peak''
New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 19 February 2025.

Climbing

Climbing routes with the first ascents: * East Ridge – Bryce Wood, Dal Ryan, Bill Gordon – (1954) * West Ridge – Phil Houghton, Mike Gill – (1959) * South East Face – Archie Simpson, Bill Stephenson, Peter Barry – (1966) * North Buttress – Harold Jacobs, Murray Jones – (1968) * North East Face – Murray Jones,

Yvon Chouinard Yvon Chouinard (born November 9, 1938) is an American rock climber, environmentalist, and businessman. His company, Patagonia, sells outdoor products, outerwear, and food. He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by '' ...

– (1971) * South Face – Allan Jones, Murray Jones – (1971) * North West Face – Bill Denz, Phil Herron, Murray Judge – (1974)

Climate

Based on the

Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

, Sabre Peak is located in a marine west coast climate zone. 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 glacierets on the high ridge connecting Sabre with Mount Gunn. 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 19 February 2025.

Gallery

References

External links

* Sabre Peak
weather
* Sabre Peak
New Zealand Alpine Club
{{Portal bar, Mountains, Geography, Geology, New Zealand Fiordland National Park Mountains of Fiordland