Welcome to the archive images of Tamaki Makaurau
 
 
Week 37
09/07/2006
 
 
Turoa Ski Resort
 
Turoa Ski Field is located ont he south western slopes of Mt Ruapehu, a mere 17km drive up the Mountain Road above Ohakune Village.  Active Mt Ruapehu is a landmark of this region and can be seen from hundreds of kilometres away.  At 2797m it is the highest mountain in the North Island and is a massive andesite stratovolcano.  Near the summit is an acidic crater which is currently an active vent.  In between eruptions, a lake forms in the volcano's caldera from melting snow.  The volcano has a volume of 110 cubic km and the surrounding ring plain has a similar volume.  Close by are dormant Ngauruhoe 2291m and Tongariro 1968m.  Mt Ngaurahoe was used as Mt Doom in 'Lord of the Rings'
 
 
 
After experiencing bad weather when we arrive in Ohakune, we felt very excited
the next morning when we saw the weather start clearing
 
 
 
 
This time we got as far as 13km where we had to wait in line for snow chains
 
 
 
 
A snow chain filled trailer
 
 
 
 
Chains were fitted to the front wheel only of our
front wheel drive vehicle
 
 
 
 
This picture was taken through the window with abated breath - not always sure if
it was because I was awestruck at the fantasy world of snow around me or if it was
the fact that we were travelling at 20km an hour with snow chains, on snow and ice
on a winding road with no barriers - definitely not a picnic for someone who
suffers from fear of heights!
 
 
 
 
A scraper clearing snow off the road
 
 
 
 
Looking back at the carpark
 
 
 
 
Icicles hanging from the roof
 
 
 
 
The day was clear enough for us to see Mt Egmont, also known as volcano Taranaki
(2518m) which last eruption was in 1755.   The summit is sacred to the
tangata whenua of the area
 
 
 
 
Guess from which side the wind was blowing?
 
 
 
 
More icicles
 
 
 
 
Turoa Ski Field Customer Services Building
 
 
 
 
Turoa Ski lifts
 
 
 
 
The awe-inspiring sight of Mt Ruapehu (rua - pit, pehu - to explode).  This volcano
had ten eruptions since 1861 with the last being in 1995 and 1996.  Eruptions
aren't the only threats though.  Volcanic mudflow called lahar is counted
amongst the most serious threats
 
 

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