Organ Pipes Pass - Camel Route

www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/55685-cathedral-peak-to-top-of-windy-gap.html?start=10#62325

I'll let you know current conditions after this weekend; coming down that way on Saturday.

Was there two weeks ago, did the rocky bits in the wet and mist and it really is not bad at all. There is only really one part where things feel a bit hairy, but if you are careful you'll be fine. Check out my report...
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/55894-rolands-cave-hike-september-2015.html#65160

Hey there - to whoever is listening... .

Who has done the Camel route up to Organ Pipes pass recently?
I have not done this route for a few years and was wondering about that one dodgy bit.
The new maps also indicate that there is a difficult "rope may be required" section...

Is it safer to take the longer route (Organ Pipes all the way)...?

Any advice will be appreciated.

(planning a trip in a few weeks...)

thanks
Joe

Hi Drakensbergie.... .

Ja, I am worried about the one hairy bit on the Camel. I remember years ago there was a bit where the path was basically missing - down to smooth rock with quite a drop... Taking 3 guys who have not done much hiking there on the 17th of Dec.
They have been on normal hikes ( you know those with beds and pots, hehe), but I was wondering if I should opt for the longer Organ Pipes pass in stead. Can you describe the hairy bit? Thanks so much. Joe

Hi Joe, i used the camel route to the top earlier this year. The "hairy" bit you describe is definitely doable even with minimum berg experience. My understanding is that you cannot actually do organ pipes proper as mikes pass (used for access) is not currently open due to rock falls. I stand to be corrected but this was the situation earlier this year. Regards

Hi Joe,

I've done the Camel twice in the last year and the exposed section you are referring to is certainly doable and not that bad at all. I took 2 newbies along on a previous hike and they handled it with ease. See link below for a photo of the hairy section - only a potential hazard in icy conditions.

Thread

Enjoy your hike, the Camel is a personal favourite of mine. PM me if you would like more information.

Happy hiking

Myself and some friends are planning to go do the Roland's Cave hike, but cant seem to find the necessary info. Can someone please help ??

1. As far as i can see it is a non reserved hike- first-come-first-serve, but where do we leave our car, can we leave it at the Didama camp? or at the hotel ? or is there another place we can safely leave our car while we hike ?

2. Is there a map we can get hold of to guide us on where the cave is, what passes to take and so on, when i called Didama and Cathedral Peak hotel, they just said that they dont do bookings for it.

3. What is the best way up to the cave? I do not know the Drakensberg that well yet, ive seen some go via the Camel, Thuthumi pass, and another mentioned Mikes pass.

Would appreciate it if someone can please help
Thanks!

Smurfatefrog wrote: Mike's Pass is a lower berg pass that you'd go up before going up Organ Pipes Pass (using Thuthumi ridge) - you'd park at Didima for this route

When you drive into Didima, at the first boom gate there are some trees. You can also park your car there, which puts you at the base of Mikes Pass. You will still need to drive to Didima Camp first to fill in the mountain register and buy permits. If you get really lucky, they may give you a lift up Mikes Pass, or let you drive up the concrete bit and park at the staff quarters (which are almost 1km into the route) - but I don't think they are doing this any more.

There are also bypass trails on Mikes Pass that you can use to skip the big switchbacks on Mikes Pass (this is a road pass, but has been closed for a few years) - they cut off a lot of distance.

For the record, there are actually 5 places used for parking at Didima/Cathedral Peak area:
1) Cathedral Peak Hotel hiker parking, drive in the main gate and don't turn off until you reach the hotel
2) Didima Hikers Parking - drive through the boom gate at the entrance, and take the dirt turnoff to the left just before the second boom gate.
3) Didima Camp - take the left hand road just before the campsite, shortly after the first boom gate. This puts you immediately below Tryme Hill.
4) Mikes Pass base - under the trees at the entrance to the reserve.
5) There is some spot in the town before the reserve where people sometimes park if they want to hike up Didima Gorge. It isn't an official spot, but is included for completeness.