Auckland Baptist Tramping Club 2001 Approaching tropical cyclone was forecast to dump heavy rain on North Island during Saturday and Sunday. Accordingly the main tramp was changed to avoid a large river crossing one day from the northern end of the track. Originally a three day tramp between the Napier/Taupo highway and the Desert Road by two groups in either direction, this was changed to a two day tramp from the Desert Road end along the same ridges, but descending westward toward Lake Taupo (at Kiko Rd) at the end of the second day. We would start one day later (Saturday), using the Friday for a day walk near Taupo.   Thursday Heavy rain. 7pm travelled Auckland to Taupo. Arrived 10.30pm. Rendezvoused with our tenth member Alex and stayed at the Baptist Church which was to be an excellent base while in Taupo. Friday Rain cleared after 9am. Then fine with occasional showers. ‘Stayed at church’ to attend Easter Friday service. Met the drama group in the kitchen. Well done Taupo! Went to the Aratiatia Rapids when the floodgates were opened at noon. Then after lunch climbed Mt.Tauhara where there was a good view of Taupo and the gliders were circling in updrafts above the pine forest. A good ‘warm up’ for the big tramp. Hot springs in the evening. Saturday Depart 7.45am for Turangi. Left our vehicles at Roger Bates’ and he dropped us off at Kaimanawa Road to start climb northward onto the Umukarikari Ridge. Stopped before the bushline to put extra layers on, gloves, balaclavas. Phillip N. shared a devotion and prayer. Moving onto the tops (1591m) we did not stop much as the SE wind was strong and freezing. However everyone was well equipped and we were quite comfortable. Excellent views over Lake Taupo, though the three volcanic peaks were hidden in cloud.After six hours we descended to the top of the Waipahaha Valley (which had been on our right all afternoon). There were only about four others at the hut, so most had a bunk. Excellent evening meal organised by Alex. Phillip and I rigged up the mountain radio to report in and hear a forecast of gale force winds for Sunday!! Sunday I spoke to the others my concern about the forecast. We prayed of course, but the sky had cleared. The wind was to diminish and we would have the most perfect cloudless day. At first there was the steady climb up to Junction Cross (1600m), our first sample of the extensive views including Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, Lake Taupo and the ranges of mountains all around but especially to the east and north. The headwaters of the Rangitikei River glinted in the sun, Ngaruroro and Mohaka Rivers not far away - the Waipahaha/Tongariro at our backs. Truly the centre of the North Island. Descending to a lower part of a ridge leading northward, we could see far away the second main peak we would climb (Ngapuketurua 1517m). The track was sometimes non-existent in the low scrub and we had to keep close together the rest of the day until our final descent. Today’s traverse was in private land and there was no good information or guide for this track. Eventually the ridge flattened and was bushclad before rising again to an exposed ridge that rose steeply to a series of rocky peaks – thankfully nothing technically difficult. There was jubilation as we reached the top of each one, only to find that there was another one beyond! Finally we made it and the view was stupendous. We used Carole’s cellphone to delay our pickup until 7pm as it was obvious today’s time would be well over the 10 hours estimate.  A further 20 minutes along the ridge we were looking for the track down to the west and we yelled out to people we saw on the next mountain. They told us to continue to where they were. There the track started down. The faster people would go in a separate group. It was a good track through the bush. Both Phillip and I had made sure of good torches so we were confident in the dark – although this slowed us a bit. When the back group came down at Kiko Rd, they had been on the track 13 hours with only short breaks (eg. 15 minutes for lunch). The fast group took 11 hours. No injuries, no pulled muscles, mishaps. Only a few blisters and tiredness. A great sense of satisfaction. A day of adventure, variety, tremendous beauty and great conquest. Monday After breakfast we celebrated the resurrection with devotions and praise. Paul U. read first from John 19 and 20 including the following comments: 19:18 “they crucified him” – as with the other three gospels, this act although important and terrible, is described with only one word. We are not told about the sound of the nails being driven in, the gritted teeth, the cries of agony, the lifting into the upright position,  the screams from bystanders. No. The emotion was too great to say more. 19:19-22 Inscription on the cross: Pilate could  not authorise a man to be crucified without giving a sufficient legal reason. He could find nothing wrong with Jesus, so he had to use the only reason that the Jews gave – a king and threat to Caesar! “King of the Jews”. This is why he was crucified – yet also because he was another kind of king far greater than that. Oh Lord! 19:30 “It is finished”. His task was completed and the scriptures fulfilled. 19:34-35 “water and blood’” shows that the spear spear pierced the sac surrounding the heart and the heart itself. Proof of death. John had a reliable witness who saw this. 20:9 They came to know of the resurrection through what they saw in the tomb, they still did not understand from scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. 20:30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs that are not recorded in this book. In other words, the evidence was even far greater than we can comprehend.  The birth of God’s Kingdom therefore was no surprise, and nothing fragile or uncertain. Of what had happened, there was no doubt!!! Romans 1:1-5, 5:1-5. Finally,  following through, we considered how the apostles gradually came to grips with scripture (especially Paul) and started to see what had happened in its context : Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, central event in history and the plan God has for each one of us, ‘God with us’, real spirituality, salvation, reconciliation with God, filling right up and overflowing with love, grace, hope, faith. We also celebrated Ken's 20th birthday! Four stayed to climb Ruapehu on another fine day, while the other six  bid farewell to Taupo and a wonderful Easter time together. COST: $138 ($93-60 food, accommodation, etc) $44-40 travel) :