Mt. David via Razor Ridge, Sunday 9th Dec 2012
After the Club Christmas Dinner on Saturday night, eight trampers arrived at the car park the next morning to go and walk off the great food consumed. The sun was shining and a nice day looked promising. We left Bayleys yards off the Danseys Pass road at 9.30am and set off across the paddocks to the Otekaieke River. There was a good flow with some colour from the snow melt, but the temperature was very comfortable. After several crossings we came to the first side stream, where we left the river below to ascended the initially steep beginning of Razor Ridge.
The views unfolded as we gained height with the familiar sight of the peaks we had climbed previously. Razor Ridge looks almost unclimbable in places from a distance, but as we got up close there always seemed to be a way through. Lunch in a sunny spot on the ridge was welcomed as the Christmas Dinner had worn off.
From here it was much easier going to Pt 1228, the highest point on the ridge, where a cairn had been built by Noel and myself four years ago housing a Waitaki River bed stone in memory off the late Ian Rodger. Unfortunately due to the weather, animals, or poor workmanship the cairn was destroyed. A rebuild took place, but sadly the river stone was lost. Ian was in our thoughts which is what matters.
We had some down hill at last, and after crossing a swampy area it was yet again all up hill to Mt David. With photos taken and more fuel on board, we enjoyed the flat walk back to the end of the ridge while taking in the whole of the Razor Back Ridge view.
It was then a scramble down the rocky ridge to the 4WD track leading back to the valley floor, and crossing the Otekaieke River one last time. A short paddock walk back to the cars ended another great trip.
Thanks to – Ross, Noel, Colin, Robbie, Phillipa, Stuart,and Phyllis for your company and supporting the N.O.T&M.C. Programme. Maurice.
