Organ Pipes Peak

Thanks Dave and Riaang,

I guess what I'm asking is similar to what ghaznavid asked when starting this thread a few years back, which is how to get to the Organ Pipes mountain summit that is shown on some maps not just the Organ Pipes Pass. On the map that was given to me about two years back from the reserve staff, it shows the Organ Pipes Pass but also shows "Organ Pipes - 3001m" about 1 km north east of Ndumeni Dome. However, I know these maps can be a little inaccurate, hence my question. However, the same details seem to be showing on Riaangs attached map as well. From what I can work out, it seems that there is a left turn after moving through the Pipes where the main path bends to the right and then up the gully to the cairn on the pass. I'll scour the ground carefully for that left turn when we reach there then. Failing that, we'll move towards Ndumeni

Thanks again for the replies folks. If I find a path to success like that, I'll take some pics and post them here after the hike.

Organ Pipes Peak is the peak shown on the hiking maps as 'Organ Pipes 3001 m'. It is between the paths of Organ Pipes Pass (Thuthumi ridge route) and Thuthumi Pass. It would be quite a difficult slog (at best) to try to summit this peak from the Organ Pipes Pass path below, and there are lots of cliffs (the Organ Pipes themselves) blocking the way. The peak is quite easy to summit from the Thuthumi Pass path though.

So from the top of Organ Pipes Pass, you will go south east up the slopes of Ndumeni Dome, towards Rolands Cave and the top of Thuthumi Pass, which has a clear path going down. Descend the first bit of Thuthumi Pass, past the two Lower Ndumeni Caves, and then ascend the path to the Thuthumi Pass false summit. Organ Pipes Peak is an easy ascent from here, about 150 m (distance not height) up a grass slope to the north of the path. Grandeur's photos in the previous posts, with the Red Arrows, shows this ascent quite well up from the Thuthumi Pass false summit which is the green block in the one photo.

This is not the highest peak in the area, or a peak of any significance, but is a worthwhile peak to summit bearing this in mind, with quite spectacular views all around.

There isn't a path to Castle Buttress, but it is fairly easy to get to the top of Castle Buttress from the top of Organ Pipes Pass, less than 10 minutes stroll. Just head north, slightly right of Cleft Peak from the top of OPP, onto the near ridge, and then along the ridge up the easy slope to the top of Castle Buttress.



PM me (with your email address) if you would like gps track and waypoints for both of these.

Hey Tony,

Thanks so much for your post. Valuable information indeed.

I think, if we have time to spare, we'll head to Castle Buttress rather than the Organ Pipes summit

Obliged.

For the purposes of completeness, here's 2 summit shots taken on 2 May 2016:
The higher grassy top (confirmed higher by my GPS)


The slightly lower but considerably harder one - it has the occasional proper move on it, but is doable without ropes if you are careful:


Views are great - but rather go for Cleft Peak if you want a summit - these views are very similar to those from Organ Pipes Pass, unless you are specifically looking for an angle towards Ndumeni Dome/Roland's Cave.