Day 54 - Paekākāriki

Time to continue on. But not down trail from Palmerston, I’ll be skipping that section. Normally I would enter the Tararua mountain range, but weather is looking a bit iffy. This range is the gnarliest section on the North island. A remote 5-7 stretch where there are river crossings, knife ridge lines, big active slips, and plenty of mud. Currently people have been attempting the range but have been turning back because it’s too dangerous given the conditions. So, while it is inconvenient, I will skip ahead to hike the trail after the ranges, into Wellington, then come back later in the week when the weather looks good again. Hopefully only one hiking day will be wasted. So I took the bus because I was feeling lazy and went down to Waikanae to continue on. 

I made a cheeky charcuterie for lunch in Waikanae. 

The start of the day was mostly a pathway along a river leading to the ocean. Quite scenic. 

Once I hit the ocean it was all beach walking to Paekākāriki. A group of three passed me who were doing the exact same thing. Skipping the tararuas and coming back later to finish them off. Sounds like there’s going to be quite the hiker bubble going through when the weather clears. 

I free camped at a little park out of town, no signs saying otherwise, and it sounds like people have done it before so I’m doing it. Plus it was beautiful. Some of my hiking buddies behind are staying at the holiday park in town. I didn’t want to pay. Clearly my money priority is on food not accommodation.