Auckland Baptist Tramping Club 2000 A fine team accomplished the east-west crossing of the Kaimai Ranges from Lindemanns Rd near Katikati to Te Aroha Domain and its hot pools. Friday night was comfortably spent at the Te Aroha YHA hostel. We departed Te Aroha by car with Te Aroha Baptist Drivers and at Lindemann’s Rd we set out on the loop track climbing for about an hour before resting at the relics of a kauri dam.  A further hour’s tramping provided a rest spot at a shelter just before we met a shower of rain. After another hour we reached Cashmore’s Clearing, the junction with Wharawhara Track. Alex and Nelson rested here on their reccie tramp for this trip a few weeks before, as there was a wide view of the Tauranga area. Alex had left his raincoat at this spot, and was enthusiastic at being reunited with it. We continued to tramp through beautiful bush devoid of big trees due to milling. From Cashmore’s we followed the Waitawheta River with good views of the valley and impressive rock walls. It took about two hours tramping to the hut and close to the hut a bridge provided an interesting crossing of a natural water race and the site of a mill used from 1924 to 1927. We followed the route of the mill railway line to get to the Waitawheta hut. On Sunday we left the Waitawheta River to follow the Waipapa Stream on a pack track leading to the ridge track. We climbed steadily in wet conditions for about two hours to a helipad, hut and track junction. Another thirty minutes brought us to the junction with the Wairongomai and Mangakino Pack Tracks. We continued straight ahead for another thirty minutes to arrive at the Mountain Rd, where we chose to descend to Te Aroha and a hot spa. COSTS: travel $22; Te Aroha YHA $15; Waitawheta Hut $5; food $10; koha to Te Aroha Baptist drivers $5; spa pool $7.