Mount Rolleston

Mount Rolleston
Mount Rolleston South Island,  New Zealand
Elevation	2,271 m (7,451 ft)
Location
Range	Southern Alps
Coordinates	42°54′51.55″S 171°31′2.78″E / 42.9143194°S 171.5174389°E / -42.9143194; 171.5174389
Climbing
First ascent	1912 by H. Thompson, J. Gilligan

Mount Rolleston (2,271 m) is a prominent peak in Arthur's Pass National Park^[1] in the South Island of New Zealand. It was named by the surveyor Arthur Dudley Dobson in 1864, who observed the peak while searching for a route through the Southern Alps to the West Coast gold fields. The name honours the then Superintendent of the Canterbury Province, William Rolleston.

While not the highest mountain in the National Park (Mount Murchison holds that honour), it is well known because it can be viewed from State Highway 73 that runs through Arthur's Pass to the West Coast of the South Island. It is also popular with climbers, as it can be climbed in a day starting from Arthur's Pass township. Mount Rolleston was first climbed in 1912 by climbers H. Thomson and J. Gilligan. Mount Rolleston can be climbed via several routes, including the Rome or Goldney Ridges^[2], the latter of which allows access to Otira Slide, which in winter can be descended by skis.

Reference

1. ^ "Arthur's Pass National Park". Department of Conservation. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/arthurs-pass/. Retrieved 31 July 2010. 
2. ^ Kates, Graeme (2002). "Arthur's Pass : Climbs from Arthur's Pass". Arthur's Pass National Park Mountaineering Guide. http://www.softrock.co.nz/mg/pages/page45.html#1. Retrieved 31 July 2010.