Hout Bay View Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Top of Kapteinspiek overlooking Hout Bay
Spread out below you the mountains, village and bay that make up Hout Bay. The bay was originally called Chapman’s Chaunce - Chapman was the mate off a British ship sent ashore in 1607 to investigate whether the bay was a suitable harbour. It was later renamed Hout Bay by Jan van Riebeek in November of 1652. The name Chapman however is retained in the peak and the drive across the face of the same peak across the bay and is the oldest remaining English place name in South Africa. The forest in the valley supplied wood for building purposes in Cape Town in the ensuing years.
The bay was protected by two fortifications built in 1783 to protect it from attack by the British, who were fighting the French and by alliance the Dutch as well. East Fort is across the bay on Chapman’s Peak Drive and its cannons are still fired for special occasions today! West Fort is on this side of the bay next to Fish on the Rocks (good for fish and chips). The only time these cannons were fired in anger was in 1795. The British fleet had landed its main force in Simonstown on 7 August 1795 and on 15 September Admiral Elphinstone sent a vessel into the bay below to see if a further landing was possible, both batteries opened fire and it was decided to go onto Cape Town. The following day the Dutch surrendered and the First British occupation started.
You will also see below to the left an unusual sight – a replica of Schloss Lichtenstein in Southern Germany. It took over twelve years to build to its owner’s exacting specification and it is now run as a guest house.
The trail, which is the old track to the radar station (GCMTAZ) starts at the top of Bay View Road (S 34 3.128 E 18 20.162) where you can park your car. Turn right before the last bend in the road on the way to the harbour, then right into Karbonkel Road, and right again into Bay View Road. Follow this road to the boom.
Follow the path and turn off up the hill on a path at S 34 02.886 E 18 19.701. There is a small beacon at S 34 02.726 E 18 19.917 where you need to turn right again – follow this feint path around the right side of the koppie and be prepared to scramble up in a little valley - see waypoints for addition points as the paths are unused and overgrown. Follow the path along the top of the ridge and a few step-overs and a little scramble will get you to the view.
As always, when walking in the mountains, take the necessary precautions: the weather can change very rapidly, so take something warm to wear. Take a charged cell phone and note the emergency phone number on the sign at the boom where you start your walk. Take at least a litre, preferably two, of water to drink. A hat as protection from the sun – it can get hot up there and very little shade on the way. Let someone know where you are going, and when you plan to be back.
Original contents
Old SA 10 cent coin
Spanish 25 peseta coin
Coca cola mat
Book mark
Ant
Whale tail keyring
Wire gecko
Dutch bus fridge magnet
Cape Town 2004 badge
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgnaq ng gur zrgny cvcr naq snpr va gur qverpgvba bs gur Fynatxbc yvtugubhfr va gur qvfgnapr - lbh svaq n ovt ebpx va sebag bs lbh. Gur pnpur vf uvqqra haqre gur ovt ebpx ba gur bgure fvqr (gur Fynatxbc fvqr).
Treasures
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