Gollum's Cave Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A very special spot on the back section of Table Mountain.
Please note that based on experience of similar terrain in the area and the applicable rules in the reserve, the reviewer has granted an exception to the proximity/saturation guidelines. This cannot however be considered to set a precedent for other caches in the area
This is one of my favourite secret places on Table Mountain - not secret for long, but I hope that you will enjoy the tranquillity and respect the area.
It is not strictly a cave but rather a shelter between tumbled rocks overlooking the wall and valley of the Alexandra Reservoir on the Back Table and a great place to get out of the sun on a hot day. There is also a jar with a logbook which have entries going back to 1998 - this is not the cache but you could also sign that logbook! A host of hikers have put their comments in this logbook over the years.
Where the name originates I am not sure - I originally assumed incorrectly that it was a Harry Potter character, but was corrected by one of Cape Town's iconic cachers who pointed out that Gollam is indeed a Lord of the Ring's characters and this is more than likely the origin of the name. Another possibility is that the spelling might be Goolam.
There are many different routes that can be taken to get to the cache. Nursery Ravine, Skeleton Gorge, Cecilia Ridge, Spilhaus Ravine or Ridge and the Bridal Path or road are just a few options. The take off to the cave is off the path that runs from the road up from Constantia Nek and the top of Nursery Ravine.
From here you need to carefully follow an indistinct path, watching out for some holes next to the path. Follow around to a position S33 59.276 E18 24.807 where the path turns towards the rocks - a large bearded tree should be ahead of you, this is your way in. The path veers off to the left, but you should get to the tree and enter the rocks next to it. After going under the rock tunnel, behind the tree, turn left and where the passage drops down again step onto the rock in the middle of the path, turn right and again go further into the rocks, turn left at the end and continue onto the shelter.
Some impressive gnarled trees amongst which are yellow-woods with beards abound to add to the shade of the rock shelter. If it is too cool it is possible to go through the shelter to the "balcony" and sit out in the sun and enjoy the view down into Ash Valley.
There is as usual a problem with GPS reception and the clearest area just outside the shelter next to a gnarled tree I had as S33 59.262 E18 24.806. From here you might have to decode the hint, but maybe not?
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur pnpur vf uvqqra oruvaq gur ynetr fyno bs ebpx yrnavat ntnvafg gur obhyqre ng gur ragenapr gb gur ynetrfg cneg bs gur furygre - cyrnfr gnxr pner gb eruvqr pnershyyl vg ntnva.