Gloriana Peak is a mountain in New Zealand.
Description Gloriana Peak is the fourth-highest peak in the Spenser Mountains, and 10th-highest peak in Nelson Lakes National Park. It is located north of Christchurch and set on the boundary shared by the Tasman District and Canterbury Region of the South Island. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's north slope drains to the Mātakitaki River, whereas the south slope drains into the Ada River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Ada River Valley in three kilometres, and above Camera Gully in 1.5 kilometre. The nearest higher neighbour is Faerie Queene, 2.28 kilometres to the east.
Etymology The Spenser Mountains are named after the poet Edmund Spenser.Spenser Mountains, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 17 February 2025. This peak's toponym comes from the character Gloriana who represents Queen Elizabeth I in his epic poem The Faerie Queene.Gloriana Peak, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 17 February 2025. This peak was named by William Travers, who named the Spenser Mountains, and he had an ancestral lineage to the Spenser family.Faerie Queene, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 17 February 2025. This mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board. In keeping with the naming theme in this range associated with the poetry of Edmund Spenser, other names in the Spenser Mountains derived from The Faerie Queene include Duessa Peak, Faerie Queene, and Mount Una.
Climate Based on the Köppen climate classification, Gloriana Peak is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 17 February 2025. Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upward 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.The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 17 February 2025.
Climbing Climbing routes:Gloriana Pk, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 17 February 2025.
Matakitaki Routes Camera Gully Route Ada Pass Route
Gallery
See also List of mountains of New Zealand by height
References
External links Weather: Gloriana Peak Gloriana Peak: New Zealand Alpine Club