Wierch pod Fajki, Tatra National Park

Wierch pod Fajki - a two-topped peak in the northern ridge of Skrajny Granat running from Skrajny Granat towards Żółta Turnia. It is located in this ridge between the Pańszczycka Pass and the Żółta Pass. The eastern walls descend to the Pańszczyca Pass, the western to the Black Pond Gorge. They have a height of about 200 m. The western wall is limited by the gullies falling from the Yellow and Pañszczycka Pass. On its very top there is a solid rock of 30 m height, falling to the plateau west, besides that the wall is rocky and grassy. In its lower part it has 2 ribs; the left one is the Pillar of Pipes, in the right one, very fragile, there are two steep crags. The ribs are separated by a deeply indented and fragile rift, which turns into a vertical chimney at the top.

Numerous rock formations rise from Wierch pod Fajki. The highest south-eastern summit is situated in the central part of the ridge. It is difficult to access. Easier accessible is the lower, north-western peak located closer to the Yellow Pass, for this reason it was considered by W.H. Paris as the main one.

From the northwest summit a perch with the culmination of Pańszczycka Turnia, separated by the Fajki Pass, descends to the northwest. A second, short perch descends to the north-east, forming a frame for the gully coming down from the Fajki Pass. Wierch pod Fajki is a keystone summit.

The Polish name refers to the "pipes", or crags, found in the ridge. The German and Hungarian name was introduced by Gyula Komarnicki in 1918. - Its motifs are unknown, as both mean "organ pipes".

First ascentsNorth-Western summit : Janusz Chmielowski and Jan Bachleda Tajber, 17 July 1895On the south-eastern summit: Janusz Chmielowski and Józef Gąsienica Tomków, 2 August 1908. In winter : Jerzy Cybulski, Józef Lesiecki, Stanisław Zdyb, 22 February 1910.

Mountaineering;There is no tourist trail leading through it, but rock climbing is allowed. Wierch pod Fajki is a popular climbing spot for mountaineers in this valley. Its advantage is the lack of crumbling, the beauty of the summit ridge and quite a large exposure.

Climbing routes: Border Route from the Pañszczycka Pass: II, crossing time 30 min, Right Sviatsky or Pojutrze na Fajkach; V, 3 hours classic IX, Lewy Sviatsky or Jutro na Fajkach; IV, classic VII, 2 hours. Right Rib; 0+, one site II, 30 min, Left Rib of West Wall, Pipe Pillar; II, one site III, one site IV, 1 hr. Pipe Ridge; II, 1 hr. East Wall; III, 1 hr.