Pristine - A caving experience
This cache is done entirely at your own risk. Under no circumstances should this cache be attempted alone.
A minimum of 3 people is recommended. At least one of the party must have caving experience and be willing to guide the inexperienced members. It is best explored only after a few days of dry weather.
The suggested route to the cave entrance.
Park at Constantia Neck car park, S34°0.683 E18°24.328.
Make your way to the Hoerikwaggo Trail Hut water fountain. The water fountain is next to the Jeep track, approximate location S33°59.469 E18°24.858. See pic.
Leave the Jeep track heading West and walk along the path that takes you next to the dam. As you reach the end of the dam, keep an eye out for some carne stones on your right. You should find them at around S33°59.475 E18°24.596. Turn right at the carne stones, you should be heading in a Northerly direction now. The path is very overgrown. Keep following the path until you get to S33°59.393 E18°24.627, turn left here.
From here on it’s a bit of a bundu bash. There is a path, but it is very faint and you may not find it. There are a few carne stones along the way to guide you. At this point, you should just be trying to find the easiest and safest way to the cave entrance (which is at the listed coordinates).
Once at the listed coordinates you will have to locate the entrance to the cave. This is easier said than done. Look for a gap in the rocks with a tree growing out of it (See Pic). The gap in the rocks should have a sandy bottom.
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Oceans247 pointing to the tree
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Find this tree and climb down into the gap.
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Climb down into the gap. Get on your knees and look forward, you should see a small tunnel with a sandy bottom. If so, congratulations on finding the cave. If you think you can fit, then the adventure starts here. A point worth mentioning is if you wear XL clothing you may not fit.
Enter at your own risk
Watch out for loose rocks which could fall on you
Instructions to find the cache from the Cave Entrance
Crawl along the sandy tunnel for about 15 meters. You will have to be flat on your tummy with either, both hands in front of you or one in front and one by your side. Once you are in the tunnel you will not be able to change your chosen configuration for about 9 meters. Yes, it is that tight!
At the end of the sandy tunnel, you should find yourself in a slightly larger space where you can stand up. Once you are standing, you should be shoulder level to another tunnel (continuing in the same direction). Climb up to this tunnel. It is much easier to navigate than the first part. I think you can even walk the tunnel. After about 10-15 meters you will need to drop down to your original level. Now you should be in quite a large cavern. Probably about a meter wide, 14 meters long with full standing height.
The cache is located in this cavern. Continue to the end of the cavern. To your right at about waist height, you should see a different coloured stone concealing the cache. Please hide the cache well as this cave gets more traffic than you might expect.
Placing the cache
Congratulations on finding the cache!
If for whatever reason the cache is missing, feel free to claim your find by taking a photo of yourself in the location I am in (as above) and add it to your log. Photos turn out surprisingly well in caves.
Now you have a decision to make. You can go back out the way you came in or you can continue and go out the other end of the cave. I suggest you only continue if you and/or your fellow adventurers have caving experience.
At the cache location, I guesstimate you are about 15-20% of the way through the cave. For those of you who want to continue here is some brief information about what’s ahead. Please note I may have forgotten some parts of the cave.
The route gets more challenging. In fact, the next 8 meters are a real physical and mental challenge. You will need to turn on your side, with your right knee and right elbow down on the sand and your left leg and left arm in the air (sandwiched between the walls of the cave). As you slither through the gap you may need to experiment my moving slightly higher or slightly lower to find the widest part. About 4 meters in, there is an awkward dogleg in the tunnel. You will need to contort yourself into whatever way works for you. See pic.
Doing the dogleg
My approach is to take is slow. Remain calm and importantly do NOT force yourself. Do NOT force yourself. Do NOT force yourself! This would be a very bad place to get stuck.
Once you have negotiated the dogleg it gets a little easier. You will at some point come into another small cavern. The route ahead will be obstructed by a deep hole. You need to negotiate your way over the hole very carefully. If you fall in, I’m not sure you will be able to get out without a ladder and the chances are you will not have one with you.
Once past the hole, you have another tight crawl along a sandy tunnel. You will probably come across a stone that pushes into your chest. You should be able to wriggle around it. By now you are nearly at the end. You have another side slither to contend with, much like the one before the dogleg. Note that your elbow may get slightly stuck in the sand. Just back up and move some sand out of the way. Once out of the side slither you should be able to sit up properly. There should be a small hole/gap in front of you going in a downward direction, DO NOT take this one. Look up. There you should see a gap in the rocks. Climb through the gap. Once you are through that gap you should be able to see daylight.
You have to scramble upwards out of the cave.
I suggest you leave your backpacks hidden near the entrance of the cave.
I suggest you bring the following:
- 2-3 Torches per person (one of which should be a headtorch)
- A helmet - A builders helmet is an option
- Water and energy bars
- Old clothes, long trousers are recommended, a one-piece boiler suit would be ideal.
- Gloves, builders gloves are perfect.
- A print out of the listing including photos.
- Camera
Always tell someone where you are going and what time you will be back.
Good luck and don't get stuck!
For those of you who like the idea of exploring the underworld contact the "Cape Peninsula Speleological Society" (Caving Club).
Visit the Facebook group
