Walks to erupting crater lake still popular

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 619, 16 January 1996, Page 5

Walks to erupting crater lake still popular

Guided walks to Ruapehu's Crater Lake has been very well received this summer says RAL operations manager Scotty Barrie. Mr Barrie said a lot more people than last year have been up to the crater on the guided walk. In the new year alone several hundred people have been up. Usually, most sightseers are from overseas but this year people have come from all around New Zealand to see the erupting crater. The views on the way up are spectacular and a commentary is given by a qualified guide. The highlight of the trip, especially for New Zealanders, is seeing the crater itself post-eruption. The tour parties get as close. as 400m to the crater and view it from Dome shelter.

Mr Barrie said the lake level is down 100m from its normal level and new rocks "from the bowels of the eaith" are scattered all around. Rocks range in size from fist size to a diameter of 1.5 metres across and are black in colour and very fragile. Gas emissions occur all the time and it is not safe to climb up to the crater if a gas cloud is present. However, Mr Barrie said the clouds are visible in good weather and are easily avoidable. . He says RAL is hoping the bad weather of the past week will clear up so all the visitors who are waiting at Whakapapa can go up. The Bulletin understands trips are heavily booked, sometimes booked out up to a week ahead, so hikers are advised to check with Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, 07-892-3738.