Leaving Wellington today,
I made it to the Waikanae train station fairy early this morning, but waited on the platform while more and more trains kept coming and going. The problem was the rain kept coming and going too, so I was hesitant to leave the bench on the station platform. Just when I thought it was clearing up, the next flurry of showers would come around.
By the time it was 10am, I really had to make a start. Even Clint and Emily became concerned as they noticed that I sent my “Start Walking” message for the day a couple of hours ago without logging any actual tracking points.
Then, almost 10:30, there was a small break in the weather and I spotted another northbound (NOBO) Te Ararua walker, crossing the railway line. I don’t know how exactly, but I could tell she was on the trail, so I said: “Stop being a sissy!”, grabbed my heavy pack and it was time to go.
Walked the almost 11km, sealed road from Waikanae to the start of the track, dodging traffic and more incoming rain showers. I remained dry-ish to a degree, thanks to trees and other vegetation along the road and my trusty red rain jacket.
It was a little after lunchtime when I made it to the start of the trail, so I decided to call it a day and not continue to the first hut, another 15km, 7-hour section away.
Pitch my tent and settled in to stay here for the night after meeting Ellen (the othe TA walker) and having a good conversation before dinner and bed time. I don’t often travel on the trail with other people, because of my “fair weather slowness” and travelling NOBO, so I am not to sure if I will see her at the next hut, or ever again. Lets see, time will tell…
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40.8770 – 175.1321
28 November 2024
FP-322
2 responses to “The Tararua Ranges are calling – Day 55.”
Sjoe..
A very wet-ish day!
11km and remaining dry-is with your trusty red rain jacket..
I think that was more than enough for the day..
Happy to read you called it a day and not carried on with the other 15km-7hours..”-)
Yes, a rain jacket can only do so much… it is not magic. Most of the time my sweat on the inside builds up as well, making you stinky and wet inside the jacket too, but a (little) less cold. I constantly think I should do “bigger” days with more kilometres, but I won’t do my feet any favours.