Mount Oates is a mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.
Description.
Mount Oates is located northwest of Christchurch in Arthur's Pass National Park. It is set along the Main Divide of the Southern Alps in the South Island. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's west slope drains into the Mingha River, whereas the east slope drains into the Edwards River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Edwards Valley in 1.5 kilometres, and above the Mingha Valley in two kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Mount Franklin, four kilometres to the north. The mountain's toponym honours Lawrence Oates (1880–1912), a British army officer, and later an Antarctic explorer, who died from hypothermia during the ill-fated 1910–13 "Terra Nova" Expedition to Antarctica.
Climbing.
Climbing routes:
Climate.
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Oates is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit. Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.