Traversing the Tararuas (Isla Ashby & Louise Hammersley)

Louise and Isla embark on a rugged 14-day tramp in the notorious Tararua Mountain Range. Armed with boots, bubbles and dance moves, they brave the weather and reflect on the unique experiences and challenges that women face in the backcountry. Stunning scenes backdrop a timely conversation about how women can find their place in the mountains.
We were supported by a Federated Mountain Club scholarship (FMC) and the kind sponsorship of some local Kiwi brands: Thank you to Icebreaker, Mons Royale, Dwights, Backcountry Cuisine, Go Native, Annies, OSM, Em’s Power Cookies, Bushbuck and Cinderella.
Follow @Traversing_the_tararuas on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about our adventure and to connect with us.
We would love to continue the conversation. Please share our video and comment your thoughts and opinions - we want to hear from you!!
Directed, filmed & produced by Isla Ashby, Louise Hammersley & Struan Ashby.
Time Stamps:
00:00 - Day 1
01:47 - Day 2
03:00 - Day 3
04:52 - Day 4
06:14 - Day 5
07:31 - Day 6
09:17 - Day 7
10:43 - Day 8
12:24 - Day 9
14:01 - Day 10
14:57 - Day 11
16:11 - Day 12
18:19 - Day 13
19:25 - Day 14

[@Seadips]

Awesome film thank you!

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

We are glad you like it!!

[@shaunBEER14]

What an epic trip! Strong determination and great decision making. Good luck for your next adventures!

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Thanks Shaun for your kind words!! Looking forward to the next adventure :))

[@masterfire9452]

Ab-so-lute-ly brilliant!

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@ZFC976]

go queen!

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Hahah thanks Zav!! Youre the real queen

[@vanzijlp]

I loved your video. I was watching it with a little smile of joy, as your joyous energy is so infectuous. Thanks for sharing :)

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Philip YAY!! I am so glad to hear that you smiled watching this, that brings me joy xx

[@james_hancock1]

Incredible work!

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Really appreciate it - thank you!

[@saylesh]

Nice video, those Backcountry Honey Soy Chicken meals are great. It’s always good to know when you need to take a step back when the conditions aren’t right, it’s something you learn over time, I have found, that keeps you safe.

[@jamesandelena]

Epic adventure and a great video! Thanks.

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Thanks so much, for the sweet comment!

[@berndbohm39]

Wow!!! Tough girls!!! That was a great expirience for you! Greetings from the other end of the world.....

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Hello from the otherside of the world :) Thank you, it truly was !!

[@berndbohm39]

@@traversing_the_tararuas In my expierience you are in the best, at the most beautiful end of the world

[@OliviaMartyn-or5sm]

Amazing effort ladies and a great video, well done.

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Thanks Liv for all the support!!

[@meganealloin1864]

Thank you for your movie, bring me to Tararua Range 🥰

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Hey Megan!! It was so nice to meet you on this tramp. I hope you are doing well :))

[@Highviewsport1]

Well done you guys. I am impressed by your determination and ability to keep going in crap conditions. Can I ask what navigation apps and devices you used? Also what safety devices use used in case of emergency. How did you know what the weather forecast was going to change? Im always nervous in the Tararua ranges to just learning from others to be prepared. Thanks so much.

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Thank you!! @Highviewsport1 We used NZ Topo 50 maps on our cellphones for navigation ($7.00 app) and also carried paper maps just in case. For safety we always bring a PLB (personal location beacon) which has a SOS button if needed. We also tried to keep in regular contact with our family and friends to tell them where we are and get weather updates (as reception was rarely good enough to get the internet). The weather app we used was Mountain Forecast, which you can use free online or get a monthly subscription with the app. Best of luck on your adventures, more than happy to answer any other questions. You can message us on Instagram or facebook @Traversing_the_Tararuas or email me at [e-mail] :))

[@leafyjean]

Thanks for sharing ladies! Great to watch - classic Tararua styles, and love your reflections on the realities of tramping on period (agree it sucks, although can I recommend a menstrual cup they are a game changer) and as women in general. Keep it up! Also those shorts look great- comfy and good length, what brand are they?!

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, talking about the implications of our periods was really important to us as it shaped a lot of our first week. Moon cups are awesome, amen!!! The shorts were excellent - perfect length and very flexible to walk in - they are the drift shorts from Mons Royale :)

[@hanswfilms]

Fabulous film!

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Thank you so much!

[@carrotsandrunning]

you should get some more videos up, great content :)

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Thank you!! & we would love to at some point down the line :)

[@allanjohnson888]

Great trip and video. Having tramped much of your route I know how demanding and tough it is, especially so in that weather.

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Thank you!! How cool, the tararua weather sure is pretty diabolical :)

[@EricaDuthie]

Love it!! Especially enjoyed the radical acts of playfulness and dry wit. Felt like I was on your journey, what an amazing place to have at your back door.

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Aw thank you so much, we really appreciate it :))

[@thebelleword]

LOVED this! Made me want to get out there 💜

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Lets go tramping Belle!!!

[@FKTHESYSTEM063]

4:11 wow cool

[@AndyCarruthers62]

Fabulous 👌 Congratulations on your adventure and your film 🎥 Hopefully the Tararua gifts you some more views in the future 😊

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Thank you Andy!! We are already planning so many more adventures to track down the magical views of the Tararuas!

[@inestima1]

Amazing video. You put some of us guys to shame with your optimism, sensible pragmatism and vision for achievement. Kia kaha Ross, 60 years of tramping

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Ross, thank you for your kind response - you have highlighted things we both definitely try to work on!! 60 years of tramping CHAWHOOO, we hope to live up to you!

[@philipwilkie3239]

I know all of this area intimately - given the conditions you did well. As someone once said "Once you get good at the Tararuas - everywhere else is more fun". Those wet, windy and low visibility grovels along the steeper parts of the tops can be damned intimidating for anyone - especially the first few times you are out there. Looking after your morale is 90% of success in these circumstances and I'm glad to see you speaking to this. Having fun - being playful - really switches up the unremitting 'serious' that it's all too easy to get stuck on. Men and women ARE different and that is not going to change. In fact you really don't want it to change. But as you get older and the people you are in the outdoors with become more mature - aside from the inevitable dickheads out there - you should find mixed groups balance out better. Nonetheless it's good to see that rather than just grizzling about this - the two of you got out there, put yourselves on the line and pulled this off on your own terms. Totally respect that. Also you made some good choices about bailing down the alternate route when you no longer felt comfortable pushing the initial plan. That's a good instinct - you can always come back some other day. Hell it took me three attempts to reach Maungahuka Hut for just this reason - and four attempts to get to McGregor Biv via Broken Axe Pinnacles. Most of those who didn't make it back home - when you do the post-mortem - missed the chance to reach or stay at a safe point, and instead blundered on into situations they couldn't back out of.

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Hi Philip, thank you for your thoughtful response. We really appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts with us and continue the conversations. Totally agree with you on the importance of morale - its something we still continue to work on - especially when it gets hard. For sure, guys and girls both bring different things to the table, and we are super grateful to be able to experience both worlds. Thats some hardcore perseverence. We will be following suit, looking forward to joining Louise and experiencing the Ladder sometime! So true, it is always sobering hearing stories of people who dont make it back, its a good reality check to remember where your prioties lay. Hope to see you out there sometime!!

[@utuba3510]

Cool. Interested in your night at Tarn Ridge Hut. Isn’t the hut out of action? Also what time of year were you out there?

[@traversing_the_tararuas]

Kia ora! Tarn Ridge hut currently has really bad mold (and now a broken tap!). It would not be ideal to stay there for more than a quick night. We knew people who had been there recently so made the call that it would be okay to shelter at, as it was necessary for our route plan! Ive been to the hut before the damage, and it was a beautiful hut - hopefully the new one will be just as stellar! We started our trip on the first day of Novemeber 🙂 thanks for watching

[@utuba3510]

@@traversing_the_tararuas thanks very much. Hoping for a new hut soon for sure. Looked like pretty tough conditions in early Nov up there