The OTMC are holding an open day on Saturday, February 25, 2012 in our clubrooms at 3 Young Street, St Kilda, Dunedin (we are at the Prince Albert Rd. end of Young Street).

Our clubrooms will be open from 10am to 4pm. The OTMC invite interested people to come along and find out what the local tramping club can offer. Over the years we have undertaken many different forms of outdoor pursuits, but always with a primary focus on tramping. We have trips suitable for all abilities of tramper - from a short tramp on a Sunday to multi day trips to remote areas. If you have enjoyed some of the wonderful 'great walks', such as the Routeburn, Milford or Kepler and are wondering where else you can go tramping then we can help. We have a wide and experienced knowledge of most of the tramping areas in the lower South Island. Tramping with the club can provide companionship and experience to enjoy all these areas safely.

The open day will provide an overview of the OTMC (we have existed in Dunedin for 89 years), as well as providing information on what the club offers for local trampers and outline tramping areas we typically visit. We will also have displays of typical tramping clothing and equipment. Our clubrooms also feature maps of all our tramping areas mounted on the walls, as well as an extensive collection of photos from past club trips.

We will also have available information on our upcoming Bushcraft Course, being held in March and April over three evenings and a weekend trip to the Silver Peaks. Click here for more information on the Bushcraft Course.

The second part of the open weekend is the opportunity to tramp with OTMC members to Swampy Summit via the Leith Saddle Track on Sunday, February 26.  Club members will be leading groups of walkers at hourly intervals (on the hour) from 10am to 2pm on the Sunday.  The Leith Saddle Track commences in Waitati Valley Road near the intersection with the northern motorway - there is a car-parking area available on the left hand side of the highway heading towards Waitati.

The Leith Saddle track is a delightful walk offering a glimpse of native cedar forest before breaking out into tussocks where expansive views open up in all directions. This walk is approx. 2-3 hours return, and you can either continue as far as the telecommunication site at the southern end of Swampy Summit, or return to the carpark from one of the view points along the way.

This walk provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy some great views of Dunedin and the coastline to the north while finding out more about the tramping club.