Mt David – 9 March 2025
Summary: After a cool start, and then rain threatening from mid-morning until around 1pm, it was fine and sunny for most of the afternoon. High cloud returned and temperatures dropped later in the afternoon. We had excellent 360 degree views while on top of Mt David, with no wind and clear skies. We followed a farm track for most of the walk, apart from the ascent up to pt 1366 where we followed a fence line, and the walk along the ridge to the cairn and Mt David peak at pt 1412. We then descended and followed a farm track in a long loop back to the cars. We walked about 20km in total – it was a long, but enjoyable day, with the fine weather and great views on top of Mt David the highlight of the day.
Five trampers left Oamaru just after 8am in one car. We took the side road off Danseys Pass Road at the Otekaieki Bridle Track sign (this is about 18kms from the start of the gravel road from the Oamaru side). We met Rodney and David W. at the first gate about 9.15am (they travelled from Dunedin, leaving at 7am and taking the Pig Route), and then continued a short distance down the farm track and parked at the locked gate.
We began tramping about 9.30am, following the farm track across the flats and the Otekaieki River, then continuing along the farm track until it branched left up towards Mt David. The climb then began in earnest up the zigzagging farm track, mostly in line with pt 1366.
We had morning tea in a relatively sheltered spot on the farm track at about 11.00am, with great views across the valley and surrounding hills.
We left the farm track where we had morning tea and went across a small gully and paddock to a fence line. We followed this up to pt 1366. The initial stage was relatively straight forward, despite the steepness. Then it became rockier and more challenging – the gully up the middle section provided some shelter from the wind and easier walking. The last section was the hardest – some scrambling, crawling, and using tussock to pull ourselves up was required in places, with lots of loose rock.
Once at the top of this section, it was not over! Another 20 minutes up relatively easy ground saw us arrive at the top near pt 1366. The weather had now cleared, and we had lunch here about 1.00pm.
About 1.30pm we continued up the ridge to the cairn and Mt David peak at pt 1412. The weather was great – no wind, sunny, and with great 360 degree views of the surrounding areas. We could even see Aoraki Mt Cook!
Following an extended photo shoot we began our descent about 2pm, following a fence line down the ridge, crossing some tussock, and then meeting up with a farm track (more like a goat track in the parts!). We followed this track in a long loop back to where the cars were parked. There were a couple of stream crossings, and apart from a couple of hills, it was mostly down hill.
We arrived back at the cars by 6.45pm, and were on the road home by 7pm. Oamaru trampers arrived back at the Medway car park around 8.10pm.
Thanks to everyone for making it a great day: Rodney, David. W, Geoff, Mary, Jenny, and Jonathan.
Thanks to Tony at Otekaieki Station for permission for the tramp.
David N.
