Tramping Week(end)

We are starting to get into spring here and have been having much nicer weather lately.  As such, Ross and I have gotten out walking around Wellington a lot more.  We joined the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club this past week (fyi tramping = hiking, in case that wasn't readily apparent).  The group runs trips around the southern part of the North Island and the northern part of the South Island.  We are planning on doing a couple day trip with them later this month. 

Overlooking Breaker Bay from the Eastern Walkway

This past week we had some truly glorious spring weather so I went out and did the Eastern Walkway.  It has been on my 'to-do' list for a while but it is quite exposed to the wind so I hadn't made it out there yet.  It is located on the southeastern side of the Miramar Peninsula and is easily reached by bus.  It has great views of Wellington Harbor, Cook Strait, and Barrett Reef. 

InterIslander Ferry coming into Wellington Harbor

Looking out toward Cook Strait

At the western end/turn-around point of the hike is the Ataturk Memorial.  It is a memorial to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the first leader of the Republic of Turkey.  The site was chosen for its resemblance of the Gallipoli coast and was a response to the Turkish government building a commemorative site at Anzac Cove (and renaming the cove), which I find very moving and inspirational.  It is very impressive that two countries that were trying to annihilate each other 100 years ago as part of a larger conflict now both have memorials to the fallen soldiers from the 'other' side.  I think that many governments and people could learn a lot from the example set by Turkey and the Anzac countries.

Once down on the Coastal Road, you go past the Wahine Memorial Park.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, the Wahine was a ferry that became grounded on Barrett Reef in 1968 in a massive storm; fifty-one people were killed.

Looking across the Strait to the South Island

On a slightly less depressing note, the Eastern Track loop finishes out walking along the beach at Breaker Bay and then going around Point Dorset.  There are Maori historical sites and WWII gun batteries and observation points at Fort Dorset.  Both are well worth investigating.

As a side note, the beach at Breaker Bay is clothing optional.  You have been forewarned. 

Ross and I also did a hike yesterday in the Tararua Range with the Wellington Tramping Meetup Group (different from the club that we just joined).  The weather was on the rainy/overcast side but we ended up having a great time despite getting a little lost and having a ~7 mile tramp turn into a 12-13 mile tramp.  Once we got on the right trail we hiked up to Field Hut, and had a late lunch out of the rain.  We had originally been planning on continuing up to Table Top (1047 m peak) but we decided to scratch that with the poor weather and our later than expected arrival at the hut.   

Otaki River

Otaki River - where we ended up by mistake...

Good bushwhacking view of the river

On the correct trail toward Field Hut

Looking back at our scenic, river detour

In the clouds, admiring all of the different shades of green.

Field Hut in the clouds

Ross enjoying the rain.

It was really nice to meet some other outdoorsy people and explore some of the many trails outside of Wellington.  We will probably do more tramps with this group, though we will be bringing our own maps on future trips...