Extreme skiers take hot dip

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 506, 5 October 1993, Page 3

Extreme skiers take hot dip

Swimming with ski boots and skis still attached

in the steaming, acidic Ruapehu Crater Lake was

not part of the plan for skiers David Scott, 28, and

Larry Segal, 32, whenthey were swept into the lake by an avalanche last Wednesday. The pair had leapt off the top of Pyramid Peak, planning to ski its slope for photographer Bill Buckman because the slope was "kind to the camera". The group was in the area for a photo shoot for a ski magazine. They said the slope had looked dangerous, and they were aware of the avalanche hazard in the area. "We were only about five turns into the run when I saw the crack open about five metres in front of me," said David Scott, former speed skiing champion. He said they tried to ski out of the avalanche but that the whole slope was moving. One of the men rode on top of the snow slide out into the lake while the other was pushed along underneath the snow, also into

the 38°C water. They managed to dump their skis (now at the bottom of the lake) and took about 1 5 minutes to swim ashore. Being expert skiers, their bindings were set very high, meaning they stayed on through the slide into the lake. A conservation officer, who was in the area assisting geologists monitoring the lake, called for help and ski patrollers brought from Whakapapa by snow groomer helped them back up the slope with the aid of ropes. They were taken to a nearby shelter by helicopter where they were examined by a doctor. They appeared unharmed but there was concern that acidic fumes may have caused respiratory problems. The lake was pH 0.6 acidity. Mr Scott said the water was "tingly" around the neck and eyes.