Schroeders Road - Ghostline Traditional Cache
Schroeders Road - Ghostline
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The cache is not in the village of Schroeders, but at one end of the “Schroeders Road”. This very good gravel road “T” junctions the tar just under a kilometer from Schroeders, right next to the “Ghost Line”.
SCHROEDERS ROAD – GHOSTLINE (View of Karkloof and Albert Falls Dam)
WATTLE EXTRACT FACTORY – SCHROEDERS (between Wartburg and New Hanover)
A RENEWABLE RESOURCE
Mimosa tanning extract is derived from the bark of the Black Wattle tree, a species of Acacia native to Australia. The species was introduced to South Africa about 125 years ago, initially for its timber. Later, it was discovered that the bark contained high levels of tannin which could be used for treating hides for leather production. This led to the tree being widely planted to produce tanning extract for the leather industry. Black Wattle grows best in the cool, mist-belt region of South Africa along the eastern escarpment where the annual rainfall is in excess of 800 mm per annum. There are about 130 000 hectares of commercial Black Wattle grown by some 2700 farmers, the majority of whom are Black smallholders. The trees are grown on a 10-year cycle and managed in such a manner as to ensure that growers receive a regular income from their trees and that a regular supply of good quality wattle bark is available for processing at local extract factories.
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
Not only the bark but also the timber of the Black Wattle tree is much sought after. For every ton of bark harvested, wattle also produces about five tons of utilised timber. The trees are normally felled when they are ten years old. The bark is removed as soon as the tree is felled and is bundled and despatched to the extract factory. Minimising the delay from harvesting to the processing of wattle bark at the factory ensures that tanning extract of the highest quality is produced. Once the bark and timber have been removed from the site the next crop is planted.
A DYNAMIC INDUSTRY
The South African wattle industry is well organised and successful. It is exceptional in having had its own research institute for the last fifty years. Wattle growers have benefited enormously from this research through access to improved silvicultural techniques for growing the crop and genetically improved planting material. Timber and bark yields as well as resistance to disease have all improved steadily as a result of this effort which has enhanced the competitiveness of the wattle industry as a whole. The popularity of wattle as a crop is well illustrated by the many smallholders who grow this tree. About 75% of all registered wattle growers fall into this category. The expansion of wattle growing amongst this group provides budding entrepreneurs with a variety of business opportunities.
SCHROEDERS – (on a tarred road between Wartburg and New Hanover)
This area of the KZN Natal Midlands was extensively planted with Black Wattle in the 1920’s and a large Tannin Extract Factory was built together with worker’s homes in the shadow of the factory. After a period of some 50 odd years the demand for natural tannin diminished with synthetic substitutes coming onto the market, being far cheaper to produce. Sugar demand increased and with cane being a more profitable cash crop, less and less wattle was planted in this area, which led to the demise of the Schroeders’ Tannin extract factory. It was not viable running a huge plant at ever decreasing capacity. The Extract Factory at Schroeders closed and lay dormant for a while.
An enterprising businessman tried for a number of years to run a wood working factory in the defunct tannin extract plant. However situated far from the end markets, in a rural setting, high transport costs of raw materials and finished product to buyers, saw this venture come to an end.
Today the factory stands in disrepair and ruin, as a reminder of a time yonder when rural communities thrived, able to make a satisfactory living, and enjoying the countryside on their doorstep. The houses now accommodate peoples who are content to live out of the hustle and bustle of frenetic city pressures.
There is no store, no petrol pumps, no take-aways, not even a bottle store, ……. there is no longer anything to transport, to import or export - hence the ........ GHOST LINE.
CACHE – SCHROEDERS ROAD - GHOSTLINE (KARKLOOF & ALBERT FALLS VIEW)
This short cut “T” junctions the tar just under a kilometer from Schroeders, right next to the “Ghost Line”. Just a short drive to the suggested parking area, or drive right to the site.
Depending on the season, you will understand why at the cache site, beware of being observed. Do take time to appreciate the marvelous view of Albert Falls Dam and the Karkloof Mountains. During cold spells between May and October, the mountains are often dusted lightly with snow – a camera is a must.
Do this cache on your way to, or from, the cache in the vicinity of the other end of the road, SCHROEDERS ROAD - RETYRED (Karkloof & Albert Falls Dam view) -
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Rkcnafvba Wbvag
Treasures
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