Ruapehu eruption survivor launches award

TAUPO TIMES

ERUPTION SURVIVOR: In 2007, schoolteacher William Pike, then 23, had been climbing on Mt Ruapehu when a "blue sky eruption" trapped him under piles of rubble in a mountain hut.

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A man who lost a leg in a volcanic eruption on Mt Ruapehu is to launch a scheme to encourage young people to experience the outdoors.

In 2007, schoolteacher William Pike, then 23, had been climbing on Mt Ruapehu when a "blue sky eruption" trapped him under piles of rubble in a mountain hut.

He was saved after a daring alpine rescue.

As a result of his injuries, Mr Pike had a leg amputated below the knee and spent many weeks recovering in Waikato Hospital.

This week he will launch the inaugural William Pike Challenge Award in Taupo.

The award was a programme designed for year seven and eight students to encourage more young people to experience the outdoors, organiser Paul Dawson said today.

Participants would do a mix of community service, such as helping clean up ski areas, and take part in outdoor activities such as climbing the central plateau mountains, Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.

Students who achieved this within a year would receive the award, Mr Dawson said.

"We want young people to challenge themselves, learn new skills and gain confidence through achieving in activities they wouldn't normally get the opportunity to do."

- NZPA