Is Tsekesteke hut sleepable? And is Schoongezicht cave area safe?

Good afternoon!

I am new to the berg and to this forum. Awesome to see so much knowledge collectively here!

Six of us are looking at spending 3 nights in the Cathedral Peak area this week. Our original plan was up Tseketseke, accross via cleft peak, down organ pipes and spending the last night in the Schoongezicht cave area.

It looks like rain, especially on the first day, and we heard that Schoongezicht caves can be unsafe in terms of theft, so we are brainstorming a modified route.

1) ​​We want to bee-line somewhere with a bit of shelter on the first day to avoid the rain. Is TsekeTseke hut sleepable? Our other thought was to head for Xeni cave and then up Mlambonjwa pass instead of Tseketseke.

2) Is Schoongezicht area really that unsafe? Is there a place to tent somewhere halfway down organ pipes pass that is might be better for the last night?

3) Are there any suggestions for where to sleep on the escarpment?

4) Finally, any alternate route suggestions for a 3 night hike in the area are welcome

​​​​​Thank you so much for any advice you can give!

Welcome to VE StuartVH!!!

Ditto to Smurf's comments. I've also not heard of Schoongezight cave being problematic regarding theft etc. It really is rather far off the beaten trac and not the most comfortable of terrain either, with quite a bit of undergrowth at ths time of year, especially coming down from Thlanyaku (I think?) pass side.

Being new to the Berg I'd say stick to the more well known routes as Surf advised. You guys fit? Last day from Schoongezight back to Cathedral Peak is just over 20km's, and the last time I walked that "path" it was properly overgrown with chest high (I'm 1.98cm) sections of "steekgrass" and other green and pointy stuff. Was April 2 years ago.

Routes we've done in and around Cathedral Peak is the typical up the Camel and Organ Pipes (it's short, but steep!) with sleeping over at Rolands cave (do not go if anyone in the group has a problem with heights!!!), especially not if it is wet. about 50m above Rolands is a cave in Ndumeni dome, a bit exposed but can take 2 normal people (3 smaller individuals for a snug fit), or about 200m to the west another cave at the bottom of the rock face that can sleep 4 hikers fairly comfortably. Else tent at Castle Buttress aree, preferrably stay away from camping near pass heads to avoid foot traffic. From here you can go down a variaty of passes such as Tseke or Mlambonja, or the Bell Traverse (again, one or two scetchy sections where a fear of heights would be problematic). I'd advise staying away from Xeni South or North, or Mlambonja South Buttress passes for now.

From what I can see from the weather forecast it doesn't look too bad, more like a typical afternoon thunderstorm with a bit of lingering perspiration into the evening. If more rain don't camp inor immediately next to the rivers. There's millons of camping spots in this area, just pick any spot that looks relatively level and not too bumpy. If very bumpy you can flatten the vegetation a bit to make it better. Drinking water shouldn't be a problem this time of year and the berg had a lot of rain this season.

Whichever way you guys go, enjoy the Berg!

Thank you so much for the detailed and very informative responses!!

Report on our hike for anyone curious about this topic:

​​​​​​The weather report improved dramatically from what we first saw, so we ended up forsaking the cave/hut idea and tenting in the open every night. Weather turned out fantastic!

​​First night we tented at the base of Mlambonja pass following the advice of a guide at Didima. We couldn't find the camping spot quite at the base of the pass but ended up quite comfortable a few hundred meters up the  contour path to the north east.

Second night we tented next to the river at the top of Mlambonja. Very lekker spot.

Last night we camped fairly close to the top of organ pipes pass. We had a big group and some company from other hikers so we felt okay with the traffic through the area.

We descended via the Camel on day 4, which ended up a splendid view and a lot better option than the orginal organ pipes / schoongesicht cave idea.

Thanks again!

Glad to hear you had a great time in the Berg Stuart.

The campsite at the base of the pass I don't think I know of (problem is where exactly is the base of the pass?) but the one I know (if you ever go this wa again) is as you come in on the contour pass, as it drops down to the river section (quite a steep little section this) near where the broad open areas ends and you start getting closed in (so just before this section), there is space for a few tents under and near the biggest tree in the river as you look down the river. It's quite distinctive, it stads head and shoulders above the rest of the trees (that is, if it hasn't washed away recently!). It also depends exactly where you drop down to the river as there are about 3 route variations as you strat the final descent going down the steep section towards the river. The tree is (or possibly was) to your right, anywhere between 10 to 80m or so, depending on your path, to the immediate right.