Thuthumi Hut

Location:

Cathedral Peak Wilderness Area, Northern Drakensberg.  The most direct route to this hut is up Thuthumi Ridge from the top of Mike's Pass, which involves a relatively easy, short walk.  This is also the route to Organ Pipes Pass, and Thuthumi Ridge is often considered to form part of this pass.  Camel Pass goes up a more northerly ridge, but the two routes finish up in the same steep section that is marked as Organ Pipes Pass on most maps.

GPS Coordinates: WGS 84

S29°00.265 E29°13.503 at 2 347 metres (Landlubbers)

Description:

Thuthumi Hut can accommodate 8 people.

Comfort:  4/5

The hut is in a fairly good condition, but there are no bunks so hikers will have to provide their own mattresses.

Water:  0/5

There is no running water in the vicinity of the hut.  Hikers must carry all their fresh water requirements with them.  The rain tanks are no longer functional, since they appear to have suffered wind or lightning damage - one is missing and only the base of the other is still present.

Pools:  0/5

There are no pools in the area.

Shelter:  2/5

Situated on a ridge because of the good view this affords, the hut is very exposed to the elements.  Lightning is a constant danger during the summer months and the hut should be avoided during this period.  This area of the berg generates violent storms almost every afternoon in high summer.  Although every effort has been made to protect the hut from lightning, evidence of strikes is clearly present, and much of the damage to the hut has probably been caused by direct hits!

Outlook:  5/5

The view from the hut extends from Cathkin Peak in the south to the Amphitheatre in the north, with the magnificent Cathedral Peak range jutting out in the middle distance.  From here you can study the mountains in all their majesty, absorbing their ever-changing mood.

Overall Rating:  11/25

History:

The hut was previously used as a fire lookout for the abortive forestry project in the valley to the north of the ridge.

Last modified on 2011/11/10