Ruapehu's historic shelter to be removed

Wednesday, 14 February 2018

DOC vulcanologist, Dr Harry Keys arrives at the Dome Shed after the 1995 eruption.

A shelter on Mt Ruapehu, with a chequered history of disaster, is to be removed.

Department of Conservation Tongariro District Operations Manager Bhrent Guy says Dome Shelter is hard to find in a blizzard and 'even on a good weather day in winter' the top hatch was usually frozen shut.

The Dome Shelter on Mt Ruapehu can be very hard to spot in a blizzard, as evidenced in this photo.

'The shed hasn't served as an effective shelter for two decades and, since 2011, the important volcano monitoring equipment has been housed in the purpose-built 'Matarangi' facility at Glacier Knob.'

He said DOC is sensitive to the history surrounding the building and has been working with individuals and organisations connected to incidents associated with Dome Shelter.

William Pike used the shed's lobby as a shelter during the 2007 eruption when William's leg was pinned by rocks that smashed through the door. His leg was ultimately amputated (File).

**READ MORE:

* The mountain that changed his life

William Pike (left) returned to the Dome Shelter with friend James Christie four and a half years on from the eruption that left him without a leg.

* Army survivor returns to Ruapehu**

William Pike and James Christie were using the shed's lobby as a shelter during the 2007 eruption when William's leg was pinned by rocks that smashed through the door. His leg was ultimately amputated.

Pike said it would be a shame to see the building go but he understood the complexities involved with the upkeep and supported the DOC's decision.

'On the bright side we will all be able to enjoy the pristine mountain scape free of any buildings.'

The shed is also associated with an earlier tragedy in1990. A group of army soldiers on a survival course were hoping to find the Dome Shelter in extreme conditions. Conditions were so difficult they never made it and six of the soldiers lost their lives. They were found just 150 metres from the shelter.

The NZ Army will help with the removal, expected within the next two weeks - weather permitting.

Originally built as shelter its function had been restricted to the storage of volcano monitoring equipment since the 1995-96 eruptions.

Equipment is now stored at the Matarangi facility at Glacier Knob.

Tongariro District Operations manager, Bhrent Guy said the volcano monitoring equipment is designed to reduce the volcanic risk to skiers and the wider community.

It is part of the GeoNet project which is managed by GNS Science, with support from DOC and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts [operators of Turoa and Whakapapa Skifields].

'People need prompt warnings about volcanic eruptions, making the Matarangi facility a crucial part of the Tongariro National Park's wider volcano monitoring network that supplies data to the Ruapehu Eruption Detection System.'

Guy said removing the shed will also acknowledge the cultural significance of Mt Ruapehu's sacred summit plateau.