Open day on Mt Tarawera - 10 June 2016

Some trips don't always work out as planned but we make the most of what the weather dictates and a good trip by all is enjoyed - 

The Open Day was organised by the kaitiaki iwi, Ngāti Rangitahi and Tūhourangi, to commemorate those who lost their lives in the eruption of 1886.

In the early hours of June10th, 1886 Mt. Tarawera erupted and people awoke to earthquakes, lightning, fountains of molten rock, and columns of smoke and ash up to 10 km high. People as far away as Blenheim heard the eruption. Some thought it was an attack by a Russian warship which had recently visited Wellington. A 17-km-long rift split Mt Tarawera and extended as far south as Waimangu. The eruption lasted six hours and caused massive destruction. Several villages were destroyed, along with most of the famous silica hot springs known as the Pink and White Terraces in Lake Rotomahana. Approximately 120 people, nearly all Māori, lost their lives.

This mountain has only been accessible over the last few years by joining a guided operation. But the local iwi offered the opportunity to visit the maunga on the 130th anniversary of this eruption. The dawn ceremony and karakia were going to be too early for us to be there on time so we opted to arrive later in time for the visit to the top.

But, again mother nature had other ideas. The closer we got to the starting point on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu, the lower the cloud level dropped and obscured the mountain completely upon our arrival.

But no matter, we had a good discussion with the organiser and it will be possible to arrange an ‘aborta radiata’ expedition later on and be able to visit the top in exchange for some labour. So watch the trip programme for another opportunity. We will be able to camp beside the lake and perhaps do a walk up nearby Rainbow mountain on the next day.

So a consenus decision saw us go towards Waimangu and a 1hour walk around Lake Okaro where much work is being done to restore the health of the lake and its’ environs. David & Sharon (Rotorua residents) did a quick dash home to collect swimsuits and join us as the next stop under the Redwoods in Rotorua for lunch and a short walk under these massive trees. Rain fell very lightly for frequent intervals throughout the day so parkas got a good ‘wash’. Next stop was the Blue Baths but we didn’t stay long here as we decided the warm water wasn’t warm enough for us. A brief stop for coffee and we were homeward bound feeling quite smug at having taken a workday off and still not achieved our purpose.

Dianne: All is not lost – we can visit again in exchange for a bit of sweat. Many thanks to the participants for adapting so often to the amended programme.

Lorna: Sharon's nervous giggle as we slipped and slid around the lake, surprisingly only our boots got dirty. The debonair Maori gentleman in his oilskin and sou'wester, very fitting in the misty rain. 

David: Had a great day hiking up this mountain in paradise, views were breath taking.

Sharon: The day started off as wet, cold and horrible.  Didn't get to see Mount Tarawera. So went for a slippery sliding walk in the mud around Lake Okaro instead. Enjoyed the experience.

Ian: Good tramp. No mountain but lake red woods and semi hot pool. A living legend was on the trip and very quiet.

Lois: A pleasant relaxing day where I met new people, went to new walking  places, e.g.Lake Okaro, and revisited others like the Redwoods. And who doesn't enjoy a soak in the hot pools then being driven home feeling warm and comfortable? Thanks Dianne for organising this trip.

John & Jean: It was a pleasant enough day despite not getting up Tarawera. Actually we were happy to miss Tarawera in bad weather - been there, done that!

This is the view we saw of Mt Tarawera!	and this is the view we should have seen......