NEWS update

This was just in the news today (26 September 2007):


No cause for alarm following eruption

Eruption on Mt Ruapehu injures a man; scientists described as one-off moderate-sized event
26 September 2007 A vulcanologist believes last night's eruption on Mt Ruapehu was a one-off moderate-sized event and there is no cause for alarm.The eruption occurred at 8.23pm, sending ash and rock 500 metres into the air and producing lahars on the northern and eastern sides of the mountain.A climber who was in the Dome Shelter above the crater lake was seriously injured and is now in hospital. The Department of Conservation says water and boulders burst through the door and roof of the shelter, pinning the injured man's leg to the floor. His friend James Christie went for help, following the path of one of the lahars down the Whakapapa ski field, and making contact with the driver of a snow grooming machine. The man already knew about the eruption, after seeing a wall of mud and debris a metre high sweep past him. A rescue party made it to the shelter just before 11pm and the injured climber was brought down the mountain early this morning.The eruption prompted an evacuation of the Iwikau Village, which is situated on the mountain, but people were able to return soon after. It destroyed volcano monitoring instruments located 500 metres from the crater. Ski field equipment at Whakapapa is likely to have been damaged.GNS vulcanologist Craig Miller says nearby planes reported seeing a huge ash cloud, but it was probably not as spectacular as previous eruptions. It was smaller than the 1995/96 eruptions, but bigger than the one in October last year. He says the eruption was probably similar to the 1969 and 1965 events. Mr Miller says there is nothing to suggest more eruptions are on the way.The eruption was accompanied by a 2.9 magnitude earthquake.Scientists will be speaking to the ski field operator at Whakapapa today to discuss safety issues.

(story at http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.aspx?id=77156&fm=psp,tst), but since it may be taken off soon, I copied/pasted it above.

Rob's Photos

As promised here are a few photos Rob took. He had his camera up while skiing, so at least we have some shots of us in gear, and of the beautiful mountains... Enjoy!


From left to right: Alice (trying to be smart ;-), Jill, me




From left to right: Me, Nat, Rob

Craters of the Moon

Here are some pictures of the Craters of the Moon (just north of Taupo). A fascinating area, and surprisingly by far not as well known as Rotorua.

Huka Falls

Here are a few photos from Huka Falls. They are actually not high at all, but massive amounts of water are pushed through the narrow channel. The water is ice blue, which adds to the beauty of the falls...

Mt. Ruapehu

This weekend we (Jill, Rosie, Neil, Alice, Rob, Nat, Janice, Frederica, Stefano, Jonathon, Ulrike and myself) rented the AuSM ski lodge in National Park and went skiing at Whakapapa on Mount Ruapehu. Jill, Rosie and I couldn't wait to get on the slopes, and thus went up the mountain on Friday for half a day, right after arrival. Skiing was great, and we were very happy :) We then went all Saturday, and had fantastic weather and beautiful snow for most of the time. Sunday was another wonderfully sunny day, but very windy, and thus the skifield was closed (exception was the "baby hill"). While a bit disappointed, we were happy that we had the previous two days, and decided that we'll head up north earlier than planned and stop on the way instead. Ulrike, Neil, Alice and Rob were in our car, and we went via Turangi to Taupo, where we had lunch. Then a quick look at the Huka Falls and a beautiful walk at the Craters of the Moon! We were back in Auckland after a very good weekend with great people, lots of fun, and great skiing!

Below are a few photos I took at and around Mt Ruapehu and Mt. Ngauruhoe. The next parts will be Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon, and once I get photos from Rob (he took his camera to the ski fields) I'll post them in another blog :)

Cheerio
micha