Paulsberg Beacon
The cache is hidden close to the summit of this dramatic and easily accessible 367m peak in the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park (Access fee: R85/person or free for Wild Card holders).
The access route is well marked and very manageable but the False Bay side of the mountain falls sheer to the rocky beach far below. From the summit ridge there are spectacular views in all directions but particularly to the east across the bay, to the North towards Smitswinkel and the Table Mountain chain and to the south towards Cape Point.
Although it is a wonderful location and already has a long-established Virtual Cache – Raymond E’s ‘Paul, Venus and the Titan’ GC3E8F - it is not frequently visited. Hopefully the prospect of picking up this cache and the Frozen Finger one just off the approach trail will entice a few more to make that little bit more effort to reach it and reap the rewards.
Caution: Although perfectly safe in normal conditions, because of the exposed nature of the summit, particular care should be taken in windy conditions and it should be avoided in strong winds. Of course, always be mindful of the precipitous slopes to the east of the ridge trail.
To reach the cache:
Park at the Booi Se Skerm parking area @ S34 18.333 E18 27.745 just past the old Lime Kiln and take the trail starting @ S34 18.315 E18 27.713 heading up the small valley. Follow this clear trail as it winds its way up past my Holey Cache! GCSE2RA and then to and beyond Kanonkop (location of MnCo’s Kanonkop GC21FVN) as far as the cairn @ S34 17.773 E18 27.664.
From the cairn head (right) east up the mountain slope along the clear trail, generally well marked with cairns. Once you reach the summit ridge @ S34° 17.680 E18° 27.796 head north for around 100m to the summit beacon.
The cache, a 1L square camo-pot is hidden under a rock approximately 2m west of a metal stake and around 10m north of the summit beacon (ie. on the Smitswinkel side).
Please take care to properly replace the lid and fully close the container when replacing the cache to ensure it gets full protection from the elements in this exposed location – thanks!