Mount Hopkins (New Zealand) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Hopkins |
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 Mount Hopkins
Location in New Zealand
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) |
| Prominence | 507 m (1,663 ft) |
| Listing | New Zealand #25 |
| Geography | |
| Location | South Island, New Zealand |
| Parent range | Southern Alps |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Samuel Turner, Peter Graham and Frank Milne, March 1914 |
| Easiest route | From Faith Col over the East Ridge |
Mount Hopkins is a tall mountain located in the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand. It stands at an impressive height of 2,678 meters (about 8,786 feet) above sea level. This makes it one of the highest mountains in New Zealand. Mount Hopkins is about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) southwest of Aoraki / Mount Cook, which is New Zealand's highest peak.
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Where is Mount Hopkins?
Mount Hopkins is part of the Southern Alps, a long mountain range that runs down the spine of the South Island. These mountains are known for their rugged beauty, glaciers, and challenging climbing routes. The area around Mount Hopkins is wild and remote, with stunning natural landscapes.
Rivers Flowing from the Mountain
Many important rivers begin their journey on or near the slopes of Mount Hopkins. To the west, the Landsborough River starts its flow. To the east, you'll find the source of the Dobson River. And to the south, the Hopkins River begins. These rivers are fed by snowmelt and rain from the mountain, and they play a big role in the local environment.
A Meeting Point for Regions
Mount Hopkins is a special place because it marks where the borders of different areas meet. In the past, the traditional boundaries of three old provinces – Otago, Westland, and Canterbury Province – all came together at Mount Hopkins. While these old provinces don't govern New Zealand anymore, their boundaries are still remembered for things like special holiday dates. Today, the modern boundaries of the Otago region, the West Coast region, and the Canterbury region meet a little further south at Mount Strauchon, which is also part of the main mountain range.
First Climbers
The first people to successfully climb Mount Hopkins were Samuel Turner, Peter Graham, and Frank Milne. They reached the top in March 1914. Climbing a mountain like Mount Hopkins requires skill, courage, and careful planning, especially over a hundred years ago when equipment was much simpler. Their achievement was an important moment in the history of mountaineering in New Zealand.
