Today, access to the south peak is restricted and only permitted after prior arrangement.[44] It is approached from Christ's Saddle via a very narrow and steep series of rock-cut steps exposed on all sides to high winds, at times to near-hurricane force. The pathway passes through the Needle's Eye, a rock chimney formed by a narrow vertical crack in the peak.[45] Though its origin and history are not as well studied as that of the monastery, the hermitage is thought to originate from the 9th century[46] and comprises several enclosures and platforms situated on three main terraces cut into the rock.[29] The terraces are known as the Oratory, Garden and Outer Terraces.