Day 1

12.5(+4)km / 4.5 hours

I write this with the thunderous roar of the waves smashing against the rocks on the shore. The moon is nearly full so providing me with decent light. I am a bit sore but feeling happy about the first day properly on the Te Araroa Trail.

The lighthouse at Cape Reinga, where the trail begins

I got a shuttle to Cape Reinga with a few others and from there walked to the lighthouse and along the track. There were stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea which put many things in perspective.

The Pacific Ocean meeting the Tasman Sea

I took a brief detour to visit Cape Maria van Diemen which took perhaps an hour but was a nice experience. I will say though some of the trek there/back is depressing since it’s just sand all around you.

My footprints in the wide sand expanse going both to the cape and back from it

The theme of the day would be wind, it was windy the whole way and especially here at the campsite. Even in my tent I am apprehensive about it since a gust comes through every minute or so that threatens to test the structural integrity of the tent. At the cape it was gusty, along the trail the winds were oppressive especially on the beach. I get that this is part of the experience but it would’ve been nice if the campsite was more secluded.

I also nearly burnt down the campsite shelter because of my inexperience with using the gas cooker. I also wasted a lot of gas but at least I avoided disaster I.e. burning equipment or myself.

My legs are a bit sore but they’ll have to recover for tomorrow which promises to be a more testing day. It’ll start earlier but have a longer tramp.