The Easter tramp this year was in the Urewera National Park (south of Whakatane and east of Rotorua). The leaders were Phillip Norton and David Korff. In total there was only 6 people who came but it was not a problem given that we all got on very well and enjoyed each other's company. Due to an initial concern about the rain forecast, we changed our original target of doing a loop walk departing from Mataatua Road end and walking in a clockwise direction heading down the Whakatane river and then coming up the Waikare river. In addition to the gorge at the northern end of the track becoming potentially too deep to pass, we also read of  first hand experience of previous trampers who had difficulty navigating the north eastern part of the track because of tree fall and slip damage. It is worth noting that the intended route would have consisted of long days and little rest so our decision was to travel one way and return by the same route. It was also decided to shorten the walking times for each day to allow for some rest time at each hut. It worked out to be a very successful formula. So briefly, we stayed the Thursday night at Rotorua Baptist at a cost of $6.00 pp and departed at 7.30am on a 2 hour drive east of Rotorua heading for Lake Waikaremoana. Soon after passing Ruatahuna we turned left onto Mataatua Road and drove to the end where we had arranged to leave our vehicles at Margaret Biddle's house (fee of $40.00 per vehicle). After a 45 minute road walk we then tramped 9 kms to Tawhiwhi hut (20 bunk) and stopped. The area into which we entered had been farmed earlier in the 1900s and you get a real sense that it was very hard and very isolated! Only 2 young hunters shared our hut that night. Day 2 was a 6 hour walk (with breaks) further north to Hanamahihi hut. An awesome view of the Whakatane River down below could be enjoyed from the balcony and we had the 10 bunk hut to ourselves. The 3rd and 4th days were a reverse of the first two days but were still very enjoyable. The weather turned out to be awesome. A wet feet river crossing on the 1st and last day was quite manageable and there were swing and wire bridges to use to cross other parts of the track. Well done Val for the long bridge crossing! Remnants of blackberry fruit were to be found if one looked hard as did some of us. Also we met a couple of people on horseback taking supplies in to fellow hunters. Short tailed bats were sighted at our first hut and along the way we saw Tom Tits, a Robbin Paradise ducks , Fantails and a Deer (or part of) that had been shot by some young guys at Tawhiwhi. The report writer was quite ruthless with observations of questionable behaviour that were potentially going to be noted in the report but it turns out He was full of hot air!! The track for future reference was a medium grade with a few tree falls and a couple of slips that had to be negotiated. We all had a great time. COST: Equipment levy $2.50 pp per night; parking at road end $40.00 per vehicle; Baptist church accommodation $6.00 pp per night; food  $20.00; transport was handled slightly differently but as a guide it was 10c per km