Bath Plug Cave, 10 August
Distance: 8.4km
Total ascent: 339m
Group: 9 hikers – Deon Small, Hettie Randall, Kevin Stoffberg, Sue van Malsen, Dee Padayachee, Marlene Conradie, Linda Bruss, Donald Deane and Di Mason
Photographs: Deon Small, Hettie Randall, Kevin Stoffberg, Donald Deane
Leader: Deon Small. Reporter: Hettie Randall
Another beautiful day dawned in the berg! We set off down the Ouhout footpath from Pholela Hut once again. Another adventure lay ahead.
We had been told by a fellow visitor to the Hut that a little known cave, was hiding under trees, slightly off the path, just a kilometer away and that it in fact even had it’s own water supply and SanArt!
We excitedly went looking for it. Sure enough, we found it nestled away, it was protected by a huge rockfall in its entrance that we had to clamber over. It looked outwards across the valley, covered by a huge overhang, a waterfall trickled over the top, with a faded drawing or two of Eland on the roof. We had found the “Little Known Cave”
We joined the main path and started off once more heading for Tortoise Rocks, with their beautifully weather-worn domed shells. A truly remarkable work of natural art. It was on one of these that Kevin did a free flight across the valley below!
It was quite a climb up to Bath Plug Cave so the coolness from its tree canopy was welcome. The cave has two waterfalls, deliciously clear, cold water. A few, now quite faint, art pictures on the walls. Rocks richly covered with different colours of lichen and moss, a yellowwood and Tree fuschia nearby, it really did look like a garden of Eden.
We stayed awhile enjoying the pleasantness, had tea and snacks, then headed back down the mountain to the Hut. Another interesting and enjoyable day.