Tararua Fever – Details, episodes & analysis

In this first episode of Tararua Fever I introduce the concept of what this podcast is all about, who I am, why I love tramping in the Tararua Ranges and a segment on a previous tramp of the Northern Crossing. I then host the first interview with a very special guest about a another past trip we have done. 

The quality of the recording is below average, and this is my first time as a podcaster, but if listeners are keen on the content then I hope you enjoy - it will get better over time  !!

Join us for Episode 4, ‘Ampin for Campin’ where my best mate, Al, and I, go on a tramp and the camp out for the night. We face the literal ups and downs of the rugged Tarurua ranges,  stare down in to the abyss (cliff tops) from great heights, come face to face with possum monsters and more ! 

I am then joined by a very cool member of the Tararua Tramping Club to discuss a bit about who and what the club is, different trip stories and generally why we love the Ranges so much. If ya don’t have it yet, then you better go catch it – the Fever is real. Enjoy !  

In Episode 3 of Tararua Fever, I am joined by my lovely darling to discuss a ‘coast-to-coast’ trip we did a year ago that went from the Holdsworth road end in the Wairarapa, to up and over Maungahuka and out to the Kapiti Coast. We discuss the literal and metaphorical highs and lows of that trip and some of the particularly gnarly sections of coming off Maungahuka – Yikes !  

I then turn to a special guest to discuss some of the technology of the gear and garments we use when out in the harsh environment and some of the best ways to maintain them. If at all along the way you feel yourself a bit dizzy but the need to carry a heavy pack, you may just have the Fever ! 

In Episode 2 of Tararua Fever I explore the difficulty of planning a nice easy stroll in the Tararua Ranges. I speak of a previous trip with some friends where we had to slightly pivot on the original plan. I look into what we were looking for in an ‘easy trip’ for the weekend and a lesson learnt for me in not underestimating distances and difficulty that can come up with any trip. 

I also host a special guest from the Hutt Valley Tramping Club to speak about the club, how they got involved, and a few former trip experiences to finish with. On all accounts, we are delirious with the Fever !!

On this 11th November episode of Tararua Fever, seeing is believing and I am joined by my co-host Kent where we are timing it within range of Halloween and discussing amongst other things, the Ghosts of the Tararua Ranges ! Join us as we go deep into some mysteries of the hills with our special guest. 

We are then joined for Walk' N Talk with David Barnes from the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Public Access Commission, to discuss exactly that - some of the the Tararua Ranges different public and private access points and some of the basic do’s and dont’s that go with them. And at the end there also is another give away quiz question if you dare.

If you feel that chill, don’t fight it — the fever’s already got you !!! 

Welcome to the first episode of Scroggin, the quick snack between the main Tararua Fever episodes to keep you satiated. On this first ep, I have a small update on the ‘expecting’ situation from the previous episodes baby shower tramp. I also cover a little bit of what we consider might be hot on the Tararua Facebook Forum by way of a photo library of huts current and historic and how it links well to episode 9, Shelter from the Storm. Finally, as always we have a quick guest, my friend Ben, covering off some of his awesome artwork of the Tararua Ranges. 

Link for the huts photo library – https://www.flickr.com/photos/133363633@N06/albums/72157679938189206/

Link to Bens artwork – https://twentysix.co.nz/artists/benjamin-cotter-dephoff

P.s – we are very aware there is an update in the current closure again to the Otaki Forks road end due to another slip which we will look to cover off in the next episode.

In this latest episode of Tararua Fever, the format is slightly tweaked again due to small-big announcement for my partner, Lex and I, that may change things for our tramping experiences for the next wee while. So, what better way to celebrate than by literally heading into the Tararua hills with a bunch of my best mates – so join us as we venture to Waitewaewae for the weekend with a few laughs and of course, Allen with a more live than usual knob of the week as well. 

The Fever’s running high—and so are the spirits. Baby steps start in the Tararuas !

Welcome back to episode 9, ‘Shelter from the Storm’ - not the famous book, or the song, but it is all about the huts of the Tararua Ranges where we cover off some of the variables to think about when your trips involve the use of different types of huts and variables to take into account when tramping to them. We are then joined by the lovely folks from the Victoria University Tramping Club to get the run down of what they get up to and their summer hut bagging mission that occurred in one weekend !! 

Finally for ‘Walk n Talk’ I speak with Ron Pynenburg about the history of some of the huts in the Tararua Ranges as they relate to the old Hector Track, which also involved the potential tourist route that never quite came to fruition. We also talk about his experience as an architect and his contribution to the development of the hut manual post the Cave Creek disaster. 

Give us a like and a message on our new Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576349080277 , or as usual at tararua.fever@gmail.com

If you don’t have the fever, you probably need some ‘shelter from the storm’ !

On episode 8, “The Best Backyard in the World (?!)”, is it a rhetorical question ? You bet your fever symptoms it is ! I am joined my mum and dad briefly to talk about some of the different things to think about for getting in and out of the access points and how logistics at times can be a little tricky. Allen also joins me for some Knob of the Week chat addressing one of the knobs that I have in fact been to (I am worried these will be limited). 

I am then joined by Celia Wade-Brown, the first member of Parliament to feature on ‘Walk N Talk’ who literally has the best backyard in the world ! We speak all things great about our experiences in the Tararua Ranges and some of the matters that we value most as well. And lastly I have organised the first Tararua Fever giveaway competition through a quiz question - so get out ya map and get listening. Send answers to tararua.fever@gmail.com.

You can also find us on Facebook now via this link where episodes and other updates will be posted - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576349080277

For Episode 7, Getting away for the SK, I am joined again by Allen, where we get deep into why I prefer tramping with mates over solo tramping – and then I share a trip that I indeed did do by myself. A tramp I like to call the Western Crossing from Kapakapanui to Kaitoke ! 

I am then joined by Tararua adventure extraordinaire, Andy Carruthers for Walk n Talk, where we discuss his documentary, Tararua SK. This session with Andy not only covers the mountain running community and doing the Tararua SK, but it also looks at how Andy discovered his passion for the in the Tarurua Ranges and how he got into making the documentary. The link for documentary is below and I don’t only recommend it for its amazing story, scenery and production, if you have seen it our interview will be easier to follow as well.

If you’re a bit weird like us then you likely have the Fever – the only cure is getting another dose !!

Tararua SK documentary and Andys blog - https://tararuask.com