Tapuae-o-Uenuku facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tapuae-o-Uenuku |
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Mount Tapuaenuku
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,885 m (9,465 ft) |
| Prominence | 2,022 m (6,634 ft) |
| Listing | Ultra New Zealand #12 |
| Geography | |
 Tapuae-o-Uenuku
Location in New Zealand
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| Parent range | Kaikoura Ranges |
Tapuae-o-Uenuku is the tallest mountain in the northeast of New Zealand's South Island. Its name comes from the Māori words for "footprint of the rainbow." However, many people believe it was named after a chief called Tapuaenuku.
This mountain is 2,885 metres (9,465 ft) high. It is the highest peak in New Zealand outside the main Southern Alps. It is also more than 80 metres taller than Mount Ruapehu, which is the highest mountain in the North Island.
Tapuae-o-Uenuku stands out in the Inland Kaikoura Range. It rises high above the valleys of the Clarence River and Awatere River. You can even see it from the Kapiti Coast in the North Island, which is almost 165 kilometres away! It's a clear landmark for people traveling on the ferries across Cook Strait.
First Sightings and Climbs
The first European person to see the mountain was James Cook. He first called it Mount Odin. Later, he nicknamed it "The Watcher" because his ship seemed to be visible from the mountain at many points along the coast.
The first Europeans to try climbing the mountain were Edward John Eyre and William John Warburton Hamilton. This happened in 1849. They got very close to the top but had to turn back before reaching the summit.
Sir Edmund Hillary's Connection
Locals often call the mountain "Tappy." This mountain was very important for the famous climber Sir Edmund Hillary. It helped start his climbing career, which later led him to be the first person to reach the top of Mount Everest.
Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Tapuae-o-Uenuku by himself in 1944. He was training with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in Marlborough during World War II. He later said about that climb, "I'd climbed a decent mountain at last."
See also
In Spanish: Tapuae-o-Uenuku para niños
