Organ Pipes Pass

As I noted in the pass write up, "The old fire lookout, also referred to as the Thuthumi Hut or Organ Pipes Ridge Hut, was very comfortable hikers accommodation in the late 1980s and 1990s, complete with a water tank, but has fallen into a poor state of repair due to ongoing vandalism".

I found a photo (scanned from the album) from 1988 when four of us did Organ Pipes Pass and stayed overnight at the hut on the way up.



This was probably when the hut was at it's best, as it was restored by the Mountain Club in 1988 (about the same time that the decision was taken to rehabilitate the plantations in the area), and the commemorative plaque is still inside the hut.



Sadly, far from it's long gone glory days, the hut is now hardly habitable, and the rusted through water tank contains all sorts of rubbish.





I also have some photos of the pine plantations in this area in 1988 which I will post under the Pine Tree Project thread.

Those of you who have hiked with Tony....is he as imposing of stature as he seems in the photos?

ghaznavid wrote: When Tony says there is no sign of the fact that there is nearby water - he isn't joking! This is what the spot above the water looks like. We met 2 other large hiking groups (on a misty Friday in February, not even on a long weekend) and all had lunch together right by the water spot on the pass.

Pretty sure I recognise some Jo'burg Hiking Club members in this pic, were they there?

joshilewis wrote: Pretty sure I recognise some Jo'burg Hiking Club members in this pic, were they there?

It was my first escarpment hike at Didima and someone thought it would be funny to tell me there is plenty of water on Organ Pipes Pass - so I set off with 500ml of water. So when we got to that spot I disappeared straight away to get water - didn't ask who they were.

The 4 people closest to the camera (the group of 3 on the right and 1 on the left) as well as 2 sitting directly above the person in the red jacket are all from our group. I don't know anyone else from this photo.

@Tony Marshal: do you know by any chance?

yes, its Johburg hiking club, and we were the only other group there. We went up Organ Pipes and came down Mlambonja that weekend

Ok. Wasn't sure if you were on that trip.

Sabine wrote: yes, its Johburg hiking club, and we were the only other group there. We went up Organ Pipes and came down Mlambonja that weekend

That's pretty cool - didn't know you were in that group.

How 'permanent' is that water spot? Would there be water there this time of year?