{{Short description|Mountain in Canterbury, New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Mount Cran | image = Mount Cran.jpg | image_caption = Southeast aspect | elevation_m = 2444 | elevation_ref =<ref name=topomap>[https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz25594/Mount-Cran/Canterbury ''Mount Cran, Canterbury''], NZTopoMap, Retrieved 8 January 2025.</ref><ref name=peakbagger>{{cite peakbagger|pid=108469|name=Mount Cran, New Zealand|access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref> | prominence_m = 264 | prominence_ref =<ref name=peakbagger/> | isolation_km = 4.35 | isolation_ref =<ref name=peakbagger/> | parent_peak = | etymology = Charles George Cran | range = Southern Alps<br />Ben Ohau Range<ref name=climbnz/> | part_type = Protected&nbsp;area | part = | country = New Zealand | location = South Island | region = Canterbury | region_type = Region | map = New Zealand | map_caption = Location in New Zealand | label_position = bottom | coordinates = {{coord|43.8055|S|170.0527|E|type:mountain_region:NZ|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref =<ref name=climbnz/> | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 8 | mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Mount Cran | topo = Topo50 ''BY15''<ref name=climbnz/> | rock = | easiest_route = | first_ascent = March 1916 }}

'''Mount Cran''' is a {{convert|2444|metre|ft|adj=mid|-elevation|abbr=off}} mountain in Canterbury, New Zealand.

==Description== Mount Cran is in the Ben Ohau Range of the Southern Alps on New Zealand's South Island, within the Canterbury Region.<ref name="climbnz" /> The peak is located {{convert|7|km|mi|spell=in}} south of Mount Cook Village. Runoff from the mountain's northwest slopes drains to the headwaters of the Dobson River, whereas drainage from the other slopes flows east to the Tasman River via Freds Stream and Birch Hill Stream. Topographic relief is significant, with the summit rising {{convert|1440|m|ft|abbr=off}} above Birch Hill Stream over a horizontal distance of {{convert|2|km|mi|spell=in}}. The nearest higher peak is Mount Sealy, approximately {{convert|4|km|mi|spell=in}} to the north.<ref name="peakbagger" /> The summit was first climbed in March 1916 by Harold Sloman<!-- Q110062734 --> and Conrad Kain.<ref name="climbnz" />

==Eponymy== The mountain's toponym honours Charles George Cran (1899–1985), who was well-known in the farming community, managed several high-country stations, and was an original member of the Land Settlement Board.<ref name=NZGB>[https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/3677 ''Mount Cran''], New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 8 January 2025.</ref> This mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board.<ref name=NZGB/>

==Climbing== Climbing routes with first ascents:<ref name=climbnz>[https://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/ohau-landsborough/ben-ohau-range/mt-cran ''Mt Cran''], New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 8 January 2025.</ref>

* East Ridge – Harold Sloman<!-- Q110062734 -->, Conrad Kain – (1916) * North Ridge – Mike Andrews, Mal Clarborough, Jim Jolly – (1972) * East Face – Ross Cullen, Peter Fowler – (1990) * ''Deep Purple'' – Bill McLeod – (1994) * ''Feared By The Bad'' – Bill McLeod – (1995) * ''Monkey Puzzle'' – Bill McLeod – (1995) * ''Delirium'' – Jonathon Baird, Bill McLeod – (1996) * Central Couloir – Steve Fortune, Jaap Overtoom, Duncan Sherratt – (2005) * West Ridge – FA unknown

==Climate== Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Cran is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/oceania/new-zealand/canterbury/christchurch-4978/ ''Christchurch Climate (New Zealand)''], climate-data.org, Retrieved 8 January 2025.</ref> 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. This climate supports a small unnamed glacier on the peak's northwest slope. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.<ref>[https://nzpocketguide.com/the-best-time-to-visit-the-south-island/ ''The Best Time to Visit the South Island''], nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 8 January 2025.</ref>

==Gallery== thumb|center|380px|Mount Cran and Mount Lloyd (right) from Mount Cook Road

==See also== * List of mountains of New Zealand by height

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * Weather: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-6209371/New%20Zealand/Canterbury/Mackenzie%20District/Mount%20Cran Mount Cran] * Mount Cran: [https://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/ohau-landsborough/ben-ohau-range/mt-cran New Zealand Alpine Club] * Northwest aspect of Cran: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/uppure/4941015313/in/dateposted/ Flickr (photo)]

{{Geographic Location 2 | Center = Mount Cran | North = Mount Sealy | Northeast = Mount Edgar Thomson | East = Tasman River | Southeast = Mount Cook Road | South = Freds Stream | Southwest = Ben Ohau Range | West = Dobson River | Northwest = Dobson River }} {{Portal bar|Mountains|Geography|Geology|New Zealand}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cran, Mount}} Category:Southern Alps Category:Mountains of the Canterbury Region