The inspirational true story of
William Pike’s survival on Mt Ruapehu

On 25 September 2007, twenty-three-year-old Aucklander, William Pike awoke in a snow cave above the Whakapapa ski field with his good friend James Christie. He was fizzing with excitement, and so grateful for being in a beautiful place, in the mountains – the place he loves. He poked his head outside the snow cave – clear blue sky, perfect weather for being in a perfect place. There was nothing else on the planet that could match the untouched beauty of snow, ice and rocks – the mountains.

William and James ate breakfast, geared up, and began climbing up the Whakapapa glacier to the Dome Shelter; an easy climb that doesn’t require ropes or technical climbing equipment. After 3 hours of climbing they sat on the outer rim of the Crater Lake. From there they walked alongside the Crater Lake to the Dome Shelter which sits at 2672m above sea level. It was -5 degrees, with a -15 degree wind gently blowing. At 6.30pm they began cooking their dinner on the ice outside the shelter.

At 7.30pm, both William and James where sitting in the Dome Shelter, finishing off their cold macaroni cheese and tuna, that cooled too quickly in the subzero temperatures. Too cold for dishes, William left the dirty pot and decided the macaroni cheese flavour would go nicely with porridge in the morning. He ventured outside to watch the last of the sunset, snap a few photos and reflect on the magical day they had just had. At 8.15pm they cleaned their teeth, changed into dry thermals and slipped into their toasty sleeping bags on the floor, William thinking how lucky he is to be in this simple, but stunning place.

At 8.20pm William felt a small shudder (could that have been an avalanche?) the door violently blew open…This was the beginning of an amazing journey of survival.

James uneasily walked a few steps across the rubble to the main door. He turned around and looked at me.
My last words to James were, ‘Tell my mum and dad I love them.’
‘Nah mate, you can tell them that yourself,’

And then James was gone. I was left sitting in the Dome Shelter, seriously cold, crushed and severly injured, and now all alone.

William, the more exprienced of the two, had his legs trapped under rubble that had partly buried the Dome Shelter (photo right by Alan Gibson for NZ Herald) in which they were overnighting. He was in danger of succumbing to hypothermia, if his injuries didn’t kill him first. William’s friend James had to leave him behind while he went in search of help in the dark.

In Every Day’s A Good Day, William takes you back to the day where it all started, and through his remarkable journey of survival against the odds. He also writes about his active childhood and teen years, when his love for adventure, sport and the outdoors was fostered by family, friends and teachers.
Even after losing his lower leg, William continues to find joy and inspiration from tramping, mountaineering, cycling, kayaking and diving. For William every day really is a good day.


Pic (left) shows author at Cape Brett.


EVERY DAY'S A GOOD DAY
NZ release date – 4 AUGUST 2008
RRP $25.00, Paperback, 248pp, Penguin Books NZ
Includes 8pp colour photographs, and foreword by Mark Inglis








WILLIAM PIKE BOOK TOUR
PUBLIC EVENTS:

AUCKLAND
Book Launch – Wednesday 13 August
Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: Millennium Institute of Sport & Health
17 Antares Place Mairangi Bay
Tickets: $20 includes beverages & nibbles
Available from: North Harbour Water Polo Ph: 09 477 2010
Email: waterpoloadmin@institutesporthealth.org.nz

Speaking Event – 27 August
Time: 6.15 pm
Venue: Intrepid Travel
Tickets: FREE EVENT
296 Broadway Newmarket
Enquiries to NZmarketing@intrepidtravel.com

NZ Book Month ‘Men’s Event’ – 5 September
Time: 5.30 pm
Venue: The Edge Aotea Centre
Tickets: $10 includes a free beer
Available from http://www.theedge.co.nz/

TAUPO
Speaking Event – Thursday 14 August
Time: 6.00 pm
Venue: Taupo Library Story Place
Tickets: $10 available from
Paper Plus Taupo 27 Heu Heu Street
Ph: 07 3785838 taupo@paperplus.co.nz

WELLINGTON
Speaking Event – Friday 15 August
Venue: Colliers International offices
Level 10, 36 Customhouse Quay
Time: 6.30pm
Tickets: FREE EVENT
RSVP: Maria Mouroukis
Ph: 04 495-7828 maria.mouroukis@wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz