Mount Lydia

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Mount Lydia

| photo = Mount Lydia.jpg

| photo_caption = South aspect

| elevation_m = 2517

| elevation_ref =[https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz20413/Mount-Lydia/West-Coast Mount Lydia, West Coast], NZTopoMap, Retrieved 12 January 2025.{{cite peakbagger|pid=82517|name=Mount Lydia, New Zealand|access-date=12 January 2025}}

| prominence_m = 527

| prominence_ref =

| isolation_km = 6.02

| isolation_ref =

| etymology =

| listing = New Zealand #67

| range = Southern Alps
Snowdrift Range

| part_type = Protected area | part = Mount Aspiring National Park

| country = New Zealand

| location = South Island

| region = West Coast / Otago

| region_type = Region

| map = New Zealand

| map_caption = Location in New Zealand

| label_position = bottom

| coordinates = {{coord|44.465687|S|168.506069|E|type:mountain_region:NZ|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_ref =

| mapframe = yes

| mapframe-zoom = 8

| mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Mount Lydia

| topo = NZMS260 E39[https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/31325 Mount Lydia], New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 12 January 2025.
Topo50 CA10

| rock =

| easiest_route =

| first_ascent = 1920

}}

Mount Lydia is a {{convert|2517|metre|ft|adj=mid|-elevation|abbr=off}} mountain in the South Island of New Zealand.

Description

Mount Lydia is located 19 kilometres southwest of Mount Aspiring / Tititea in the Southern Alps. The summit is set on the boundary shared by the Otago and West Coast Regions of the South Island. It is also within Mount Aspiring National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's south slope drains to the Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu, whereas the north slope drains to the Joe River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises {{convert|2100.|m|ft|abbr=off}} above the Joe River Valley in four kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Edward, six kilometres to the east.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Lydia is located in a marine west coast climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.[https://en.climate-data.org/oceania/new-zealand/southland/te-anau-281135/ Te Anau Climate (New Zealand)], climate-data.org, Retrieved 12 January 2025. Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountain, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain and snow. This climate supports the Ferrier and Snowball glaciers surrounding the mountain. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.[https://nzpocketguide.com/the-best-time-to-visit-the-south-island/ The Best Time to Visit the South Island], nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 12 January 2025.

Climbing

The first ascent of the summit was made on 1 December 1920 by Jock A. Sim, V.J. Leader, and Ken Grinling.[https://ari.rdx.net/abc/mountains/new_zealand_mtns.htm Mountains], Ari's Base Camp, Retrieved 12 January 2025.

Climbing routes:[https://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/aspiring/snowdrift-range/mt-lydia Mt Lydia], New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 12 January 2025.