Mount Owen, New Zealand

:"There is also a mountain in the West Coast Range of Tasmania named Mount Owen, Tasmania" Mount Owen is in the Tasman district of the South Island of New Zealand. It stands at 1875 metres (5625 feet) above sea level and is part of the Marino Mountains.

There are a number of caves in the marble karst areas on the flanks of the mountain, including New Zealand's longest cave system, Bulmer Cavern, which run for 32 kilometres. Mount Owen lies within Kahurangi National Park. The Hope Saddle crosses its eastern flank.

Mount Owen featured briefly in the first of The Lord of The Rings trilogy of films, The Fellowship of the Ring. When the characters lead by Aragorn leave Moria they emerge onto a rocky plateau. This was filmed on the slopes of Mount Owen.

Mount Owen is best accessed via Granity Pass. This generally involves a two day tramp staying overnight at Granity Pass Hut. It is possible to climb it in winter but care is needed over the karst area due to snow hiding sink holes.

External links

* [http://www.massey.ac.nz/~sglasgow/nzss/cavearea.htm Caving areas in New Zealand]