The Tongariro Crossing was fully re-opened today and takes trampers close to the Te Maari crater which erupted last year (File)
Trampers
walking the now fully opened Tongariro Crossing can get so close to the
thermal vent that erupted "it's almost like you can throw a stone in
it," a Tongariro tourism spokesperson says.
The full crossing was officially opened at a ceremony this morning.
A
section of the crossing up until the Blue Lake Saddle had been open
since December following an eruption at the Te Maari crater in November
last year.
The track is now open all the way to the Ketetahi car park.
Chairman
of tourism industry group Tongariro Concessionaires, Stew Barclay, says
the reopening of the track is exciting for trampers, tourist operators
and accommodation providers.
Trampers can now
get up close to the Te Maari crater though they are advised "not to
dilly dally" and spend no longer than about 45 minutes there, to
mitigate a small risk the crater may erupt again.
The
spectacular eruption last year was good promotion for the crossing
because it showed it was still an active volcano, he says.
The
Department of Conservation says the decision to fully open the track
was made after a risk assessment was completed and peer-reviewed by
scientists in Hawaii.
Programme manager for the
Ruapehu area Bhrent Guy also says the risk of any further volcanic
activity declines the longer the area stays dormant.
The Te Maari crater erupted on November 21 last year, spewing ash and causing the crossing to close.
Mr Guy says about 400 people were walking the track today and about 150 attended the opening ceremony.
About 7000 people were expected to walk the crossing this winter, mostly with guides because of snow and ice on the track.
Mr
Guy says the number of people doing the partial Tongariro Crossing and
the Tama Lakes walk last summer was higher than the previous summer.
Mr
Barclay says during the partial closure tourism operators directly
involved with the crossing, including transportation and guiding, fared
better than accommodation providers.
The perfect
summer conditions still meant people were willing to do at least part of
the walk. But accommodation and food providers suffered more because
people could complete the open part of the track in less time than
normal so did not spend as much time in the area.
Skotel
Alpine Lodge general manager Wayne Sheard does not anticipate a huge
rush of international winter bookings for the full walk, but expects
bookings for this summer will increase. Many tour companies book
accommodation and the walk about three years in advance.
3 News Wed, 08 May 2013 2:47p.m.
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