Tararua Fever – Details, episodes & analysis

Tararua Fever is back! And today we're diving straight into an episode that's all about one of the few things every tramper hopes they'll never need — search and rescue.

We begin by catching up with Graeme from TrailOff, who joins us to share the story of a day trip in the Tararua Ranges that ended with a broken ankle, a helicopter rescue, and a whole new perspective on being prepared in the hills. It's an honest conversation about how quickly things can change, even on a straightforward trip, and the lessons he's taken away from the experience.

Following on from that, we catch up with Alex Waterworth from New Zealand Land Search and Rescue. We lift the curtain on what actually happens when someone needs help in the backcountry, from the first emergency call through to the volunteers heading into the bush. Alex also shares practical advice on preparation, common mistakes, personal locator beacons, and what makes the Tararua Ranges such a uniquely challenging place to carry out rescues.

To round things out, Al returns with another tramping question in another instalment of What's it Al About? This time we're talking trip preparation — how to decide where you're going, what to take with you, and some of the simple planning that can make all the difference before you even leave home.

Whether you're new to tramping or you've been exploring the Tararuas for decades, we hope this episode leaves you a little better prepared for your next adventure and a taste of the Fever!

Remember, you can get in touch with your tramp stories, suggestions, complaints, or lavish praise via our DMs on Instagram and Facebook. You can also email us on tararua.fever@gmail.com.

We'd love to hear from you!

If you'd like to watch the TrailOff video that inspired our conversation with Graeme, you can find it here:
TrailOff – Broken ankle in the Tararua Ranges: https://youtu.be/_zGjS-hH9M0?si=Cu-xP8dMPxVxxdiP

Useful Resources:
Mountain Safety Council: www.mountainsafety.org.nz
New Zealand Land Search & Rescue – Prevention: www.landsar.org.nz/prevent/
Volunteer with New Zealand Land Search & Rescue: www.landsar.org.nz/volunteer/

Key Safety Reminders from LandSAR:
Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.
Check the weather forecast and track conditions before heading out.
Carry warm clothing, food, and emergency equipment.
Take a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator (such as an InReach).
Know how to use your equipment before you need it.
If you're injured or lost, don't wait too long to activate your PLB.

Whistle Recommendations:
Fox 40 Classic: https://www.fox40world.com/classic
Fox 40 Sharx: https://www.fox40world.com/sharx

CLASSIC | Fox 40 International
www.fox40world.com

In this latest Scroggin episode of Tararua Fever, we cast the net wide and delve into a few of the more miscellaneous corners of Tararua life.

From recent correspondence with listeners, to another visit to Kent's Cooking Corner and a discussion about one of the great comfort meals, we once again cover a lot of ground.

Along the way we also take the opportunity to thank everyone who has been getting in touch with stories, paintings and kind words. We really do appreciate it.

Finally, we're joined once again by long-time tramper, author and poet Mike Deavin. Listeners may remember Mike from our T-Files episode last year, where we delved into some of the mysteries and yarns of the Tararua Ranges. This time around he drops in for a quick catch-up before treating us to a few of his poems — a rather fitting way to finish off another helping of Scroggin.
Please enjoy!!

Remember, you can get in touch with your tramp stories, suggestions, complaints, or lavish praise via our DMs on Instagram and Facebook. You can also email us on tararua.fever@gmail.com.

We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Scroggin, we’re tearing open the trail-mix mystery bag and diving straight into the good stuff. I’m joined by Kent this week as we cover some cool tramping-related podcasts, talk through a few of the significant slips from across the Tararua ranges, and debut a brand-new segment Kent’s bringing to the show!

Trail mix in one hand, chaos in the other — that’s the Fever way.

Podcasts mentioned on the show:

The Tramping Life https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-tramping-life/id1839590454

Search & Rescue NZ (RNZ) https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/search-rescue-nz/id1842040029

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 

Sorry about the wait Folks ! On this post-Easter episode (6), I am joined by another good friend Kent. We relive our adventure of river walking up the Eastern Waitewaewae River to Island Forks and recount all the reasons why, if you have not been there or have not heard of it, you should go check it out !  

I am then, as always, joined by a special guest for Walk n Talk. This time it's a member of the Palmerston North Manawatū Tramping Club, and we discuss a range of topics from the club itself: from their role as a volunteer hut warden, to some of the many challenges concerning the Te Araroa Trail. If you have the Fever and you need a fix, it's all there waiting for you !