# Mount Williams (New Zealand)

Mount Williams is a 1,718-metre-elevation (5,636-foot) mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.

## Description

Mount Williams is located 111 kilometres (69 mi) northwest of Christchurch and 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) east-southeast of Arthur's Pass in Arthur's Pass National Park. It is set in the Southern Alps of 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. Like many peaks of the Southern Alps, Mount Williams is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 918 metres (3,012 feet) above the Edwards Valley in one kilometre, and 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) above the Mingha Valley in 1.5 kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Dome, 3.5 kilometres to the southeast.

## Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Williams is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone. 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.
Climate data for Arthurs Pass Village (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1978–present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 32.1 (89.8) | 29.5 (85.1) | 26.4 (79.5) | 22.5 (72.5) | 17.6 (63.7) | 14.0 (57.2) | 12.8 (55.0) | 14.3 (57.7) | 20.0 (68.0) | 22.5 (72.5) | 26.2 (79.2) | 27.6 (81.7) | 32.1 (89.8) |
| Mean maximum °C (°F) | 25.6 (78.1) | 25.4 (77.7) | 22.4 (72.3) | 17.8 (64.0) | 14.4 (57.9) | 11.1 (52.0) | 9.9 (49.8) | 12.0 (53.6) | 14.9 (58.8) | 18.0 (64.4) | 20.7 (69.3) | 23.4 (74.1) | 27.2 (81.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 18.3 (64.9) | 18.6 (65.5) | 16.1 (61.0) | 12.7 (54.9) | 9.7 (49.5) | 6.7 (44.1) | 6.0 (42.8) | 7.6 (45.7) | 9.8 (49.6) | 11.7 (53.1) | 13.9 (57.0) | 16.5 (61.7) | 12.3 (54.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 13.3 (55.9) | 13.4 (56.1) | 11.2 (52.2) | 8.3 (46.9) | 5.8 (42.4) | 3.0 (37.4) | 2.2 (36.0) | 3.5 (38.3) | 5.5 (41.9) | 7.3 (45.1) | 9.3 (48.7) | 11.8 (53.2) | 7.9 (46.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8.3 (46.9) | 8.2 (46.8) | 6.3 (43.3) | 4.0 (39.2) | 1.9 (35.4) | −0.6 (30.9) | −1.6 (29.1) | −0.7 (30.7) | 1.3 (34.3) | 3.0 (37.4) | 4.7 (40.5) | 7.2 (45.0) | 3.5 (38.3) |
| Mean minimum °C (°F) | 2.5 (36.5) | 2.3 (36.1) | −0.4 (31.3) | −2.2 (28.0) | −3.9 (25.0) | −6.7 (19.9) | −7.5 (18.5) | −6.2 (20.8) | −4.5 (23.9) | −2.7 (27.1) | −1.4 (29.5) | 1.3 (34.3) | −8.3 (17.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −1.0 (30.2) | −1.5 (29.3) | −8.5 (16.7) | −7.8 (18.0) | −7.5 (18.5) | −11.5 (11.3) | −12.5 (9.5) | −11.0 (12.2) | −8.2 (17.2) | −6.1 (21.0) | −5.0 (23.0) | −1.4 (29.5) | −12.5 (9.5) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 413.5 (16.28) | 272.6 (10.73) | 321.2 (12.65) | 370.3 (14.58) | 395.0 (15.55) | 378.1 (14.89) | 328.4 (12.93) | 353.0 (13.90) | 452.5 (17.81) | 489.4 (19.27) | 438.6 (17.27) | 447.7 (17.63) | 4,660.3 (183.49) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 77 | 78 | 82 | 86 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 87 | 84 | 81 | 78 | 78 | 83 |
| Source 1: NIWA ||||||||||||||
| Source 2: "Arthur's Pass – Weather Database" ||||||||||||||

## Climbing

Climbing routes:
* Via Mid Mingha River – First ascent by Evan Wilson – (July 1930)
* South West Ridge
* Gunbarrel Scree
* Via Edwards Hut

## The Spike

The Spike is a subsummit on the southwest ridge of Mount Williams, with less than one kilometre between summits. The elevation of The Spike is 1,440 metres and there are climbing routes via Gunbarrel Scree and the Southwest Ridge. This feature's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board.