MEDIA RELEASE
27 August 2012
Adventure business gets boost from Tongariro eruption
Tourists “on top of the world” after climbing to Ruapehu’s Crater Lake. Photo credit: Adrift Outdoors Ltd
A quick-thinking outdoor adventure company, which previously relied on Mt Tongariro as a drawcard for its guided treks,
used the disruption caused by the 6 August eruption as a stepping stone to expand its business.
Adrift Outdoors, which specialises in guided walks across the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, had to postpone its tours until
volcanologists and the Department of Conservation deem the mountain to be safe. Instead, the company decided to offer
guided climbs to Mt Ruapehu’s crater lake*. The new addition has been so popular, Adrift Outdoors’ owner Stewart Barclay
says it will continue to offer the Ruapehu trek year round, winter and summer.
Mt Tongariro and its world-renown tracks will be blessed by local hapu this Friday before it is officially reopened to
the public on Saturday.
“We’re looking forward to returning to Mt Tongariro with its newly awakened vent and new hot spots, but we’re also
really excited to have another ‘must do’ trek to share with visitors to the region,” says Mr Barclay.
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