Mount Franklin (Canterbury)

Mount Franklin is located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) northeast of Arthur's Pass, and is the second tallest of the New Zealand mountains with this name. It forms part of the ridge of the Southern Alps. As such, it is located close to the border between the Canterbury and West Coast regions. Rising to a height of 2,145 metres (7,037 ft), it is located within Arthur's Pass National Park. It is regarded as a good mountain to climb.^[3]

Mount Franklin
Southswest aspect, centred in back
Highest point
Elevation	2,145 m (7,037 ft)[1][2]
Prominence	1,225 m (4,019 ft)[2]
Isolation	12.85 km (7.98 mi)[2]
Coordinates	42.869988°S 171.659381°E / -42.869988; 171.659381[2]
Geography
Mount Franklin Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Mount Franklin
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	West Coast
Protected area	Arthur's Pass National Park
Parent range	Aicken Range[3]
Topo map(s)	NZMS260 K33[4] Topo50 BV20[3]
Climbing
First ascent	November 1930

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Franklin is located in a marine west coast climate zone.^[5] 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. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.^[6]

Climbing

Climbing routes:^[3]

• South Ridge – A.C. Snowden, A.S. Ahnfeldt – (1930)
• North Ridge – Raphael Bullet, Ryan Nicol – (2019)
• West Ridge
• South West Ridge
• South West Ridge Couloirs
• Oates-Franklin Ridge