Location and surroundings
Mount Awful belongs to the wider chain New Zealand > South Island > Southern Alps > Main Divide of The Southern Alps > Mount Turner. It is in Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, and in the South Island backcountry north-west of Makarora. The mountain is part of a steep alpine landscape with deep valleys, narrow passes, and fast-changing weather. In the Mount Turner group it is the highest of 50 named peaks.
Neighbouring peaks
Nearby summits and passes help show how isolated the mountain is. The closest features are:
- Gillespie Pass — 1,501 m, 1.8 km south
- Young Peak — 1,151 m, 1.9 km south-east
- Mount Awful — 1,151 m, 1.9 km south-east
- Mount Doris — 1,075 m, 2.7 km north
- Mount Doris — 2,010 m, 3.2 km north-west
- Governors Pass — 1,492 m, 3.4 km north
- Mount Dreadful — 1,630 m, 3.6 km north-west
- Siberia Saddle — 1,530 m, 3.9 km north-west
Mount Awful is much higher than the nearby passes and most of the surrounding named peaks, which gives it a strong position above the local ridges.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks are spread mostly to the south-west. The main names to look for are Mount Pollux at 2,536 m, 18.1 km south-west; Munro Peak at 2,374 m, 20.0 km south-west; Mount Alba at 2,360 m, 6.7 km south-west; Oblong Peak at 2,283 m, 12.8 km south-west; Farrar Peak at 2,280 m, 21.0 km south-west; and Mount Ragan at 2,254 m, 21.4 km south-west. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Alba.
The range
Mount Awful is part of Mount Turner, whose high point is Mount Turner. The group contains 50 named peaks, and Mount Awful ranks as the highest of them. In the wider sense it sits on the Main Divide of the Southern Alps, a line of rugged alpine terrain that shapes the drainage and weather of this part of the South Island.
Walking to the top
The summit was first reached in December 1944 by J.W. Aitken, J. Gillespie, E. Miller, and F. Wilkinson. Recorded climbing lines include the North West Ridge, the South West Ridge, the South East Ridge, and several east-face routes such as Weta Walk, A Stitch in Time, Wicked, Summer of Yes, and A Very Hungry Weka. This is a serious alpine climb rather than a casual walk, and route choice depends on conditions and experience.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest a cold alpine setting at the summit. The warmest month is January, at about 3 °C, and the coldest is June, at about -2 °C. Mean temperatures are above freezing at the summit in January, February, March, April, and December. The surrounding area receives about 2,200 mm of precipitation a year, with about 215 mm in December and about 150 mm in February.
Best time to visit
The most suitable period is usually December to February, when weather windows are more likely and summit temperatures are least severe. Even then, conditions can change quickly because moist westerly air is forced up over the Southern Alps, bringing rain or snow. Outside the summer months, snow, wind, and poor visibility become more common, and travel on ridges and passes is more demanding.
Nature and wildlife
Mount Awful lies in Mount Aspiring National Park, within the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area. The terrain is typical of the Southern Alps: steep rock, scree, alpine grassland, and snow patches higher up, with beech forest and subalpine scrub lower down. Kea, alpine insects, and other mountain species are part of the wider region’s wildlife, while valleys and stream heads support a mix of forest birds and hardy plants adapted to wet, cold conditions.
Practical tips
For a climb here, expect wet ground, loose rock, and cold wind even in summer. Sturdy boots, warm layers, gloves, and weatherproof clothing are sensible, and an ice axe or crampons may be needed depending on the route and season. Keep to established lines where they exist, especially inside the national park. For mountain rescue in New Zealand, call 111 and ask for Police; 112 and 911 also redirect to 111 on mobiles.
History and name
The first recorded ascent of Mount Awful was made in 1944 by J.W. Aitken, J. Gillespie, E. Miller, and F. Wilkinson. The mountain’s name follows a local pattern in this part of the Southern Alps, where several nearby features carry similarly severe-sounding names such as Mount Dreadful. The name is part of the established map record and is now used for both the hill and the nearby peak of the same name.
Interesting facts
Mount Awful is the highest of 50 named peaks in Mount Turner, but it is not the highest mountain in the wider Southern Alps. Its nearest higher neighbour is Mount Alba, about 6 km to the south-west. The summit rises about 1,400 m above the North Branch in only 2 km, which shows how sharply the mountain lifts out of the surrounding valleys. It also sits in a protected national park and World Heritage landscape.
FAQ
How high is Mount Awful? It rises to 2,192 m.
Where is Mount Awful? It is in Otago, New Zealand, in Queenstown-Lakes District and the Southern Alps, within Mount Aspiring National Park.
What is Mount Awful the highest point of? It is the highest mountain in Mount Turner.
What peaks and passes are close by? Nearby features include Gillespie Pass, Young Peak, Mount Doris, Governors Pass, Mount Dreadful, and Siberia Saddle.
What is the nearest higher peak? The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Alba, about 6 km to the south-west.
When is the best time to climb it? December to February is usually the best window, with the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing.
How is mobile phone coverage? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator; in valleys and behind ridges it often fails. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.