Organ Pipes Pass

23 Mar 2018 15:26 #73042 by Sanet1
Enough water to only carry a small amount on you, top up everywhere.
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26 Aug 2022 16:49 #77972 by JoMil
Hi everyone!

Interested in doing a hike up organ pipes pass this weekend. I've read the threads on the various options but was hoping a kind person might be able to answer the following:
1) Is Mike's Pass open/ hikable at the moment? (I called Didima amd they said it is currently under maintenance and closed, even to hikers).. we were actually hoping to get a sneaky lift up there
2) if Mike's pass is not an option, and we hike from Cathedral Peak hotel instead, is the quicker route to the top of the little berg via ribbon falls cave or via Mushroom Rock?
3) if we wanted to do a day hike only, is it fairly managable to get from the hotel, up organ pipes pass for a pic or 2/ lunch stop, and back down in a day? (For a relatively fit, but extra enthusiastic group

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). If so, what is the easiest/ quickest option- mushroom vs ribbon falls, camel route up and down vs camel one way/ thutumi ridge the other/ other options? And an approximate distance in kms for this route, from the hotel?

If anyone has a recommended route for a day hike, with the aim of getting up organ pipes pass, I'd really appreciate it. With a Google maps pic/ GPS file even better! We are still deciding if we might stay over on top for a night.. if we do decide to, will try for Roland's cave, but take tents with incase. Are the decent/ relatively "safe" spots to tent close to Roland's/ Ndumeni caves of these are occupied?

Thanks in advance!

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26 Aug 2022 17:54 #77973 by Smurfatefrog
Hi Jo

Mike's Pass is closed to general vehicles, but there is no reason you can't hike up there. Its actually in good condition at the moment.
Look for the shortcut going up though instead of taking the big hairpin bend.

The quickest way to the top is from the hotel, via Ribbons falls and then up the Camel route (about 11/12km, with 1500m ascent), going the Thuthumi ridge route from a hotel start requires a fair amount of heading south on the contour path
Mikes Pass and the Thuthumi ridge route from Didima camp will be closer to 15/16km to the top.
You could also head up Tryme hill and then up the Camel route, probably about 13/14km. You could do a loop of these last two
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27 Aug 2022 12:22 #77974 by Walkfree
Hi JoMil

I would say that if this is your first time in the area, a day hike up Organs and back to the Hotel will be very tough to say the least.
From what you have said in your post, I assume you only have one night. It is possible to ascend Organs via Ribben Falls/Camel in one day if you are fit and depart very early.
From there you can overnight at Rolands cave or camp on the escarpment. I have camped near the top of the pass in the valley behind Organs in the past without incident but this is not advisable as this pass is regularly used by smugglers. It is best to camp closer to cleft peak, there are various posts on the Organ Pipes thread with coordinates and advice thereof.
Perhaps on you descent you can go back via Thutami Ridge and Mikes Pass for a change of scenery.
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28 Aug 2022 12:56 #77975 by JoMil
Thanks so much guys! We decided to do Cathedral Peak rather, was epic. Will take some more time to plan the Organ Pipes overnighter so we can make the most of it

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16 Jul 2024 13:40 #79144 by James_Seymour
Replied by James_Seymour on topic Organ Pipes Pass
There is a dangerous rock slab on this route that needs to be traversed. If you lose your grip crossing this slab, or slip, you could be seriously injured. It is advisable to carry a rope on this hike to overcome this obstacle safely, as well as a few other tricky scrambles. Do not attempt to do this hike unless you have a leader who has done this route before. Ideally do it with a registered mountain guide.

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16 Jul 2024 14:13 #79145 by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Organ Pipes Pass

There is a dangerous rock slab on this route that needs to be traversed. If you lose your grip crossing this slab, or slip, you could be seriously injured. It is advisable to carry a rope on this hike to overcome this obstacle safely, as well as a few other tricky scrambles. Do not attempt to do this hike unless you have a leader who has done this route before. Ideally do it with a registered mountain guide.
Are you referring to Camel pass, or Organ Pipes itself that passes the Thuthumi hut (old fire lookout)?
I can vaguely think of a rockslab at a stream crossing on the latter, but don't recall it being particularly dangerous. Last did this route in February

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16 Jul 2024 14:37 - 16 Jul 2024 14:38 #79146 by James_Seymour
Replied by James_Seymour on topic Organ Pipes Pass
Not the Camel, the traditional Organs Pipe Pass route. I am not sure if it has recently been exposed. However, it is a tricky obstacle with a dangerous drop. 
Last edit: 16 Jul 2024 14:38 by James_Seymour.

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16 Jul 2024 14:44 #79147 by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Organ Pipes Pass
ok thanks, where about on the route?

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16 Jul 2024 15:04 #79148 by grae22
Replied by grae22 on topic Organ Pipes Pass
Probably one of the streams/runnels (dry unless it's raining) before you get on Thuthumi ridge proper, there's two if mem serves. Fairly tame stuff if you're experienced with Berg passes, but a little nerve wracking for new initiates

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I do vaguely recall us being a little cautious at one of those runnels during one of our first overnight Berg hikes.

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