Small Cave

Location:

Vergelegen Wilderness Area, southern Drakensberg.  The cave is a useful stop-over when climbing or descending Nhlangeni Pass, but it is reached over quite difficult riverine terrain. It lies above a tributary of the Nhlangeni River, so a small group may find Bridge Cave - which is situated further up the main river - more suitable, although Small Cave does not have much more space to offer either.

GPS Coordinates: WGS 84

S29°30.471 E29°19.796 at 2 207 metres (Landlubbers)

Description:

Small Cave is a shallow, south-facing overhang which does not offer much protection from the elements.

Comfort:  3/5

The limited sleeping area is comfortably level for 3 or 4 people, but if more are to be squeezed in, they will have to make use of the sloping section.

Water:  4/5

The tributary passes about 50 metres from the cave but is reached over scrubby, sloping ground.

Pools:  2/5

There are no significant pools in the immediate vicinity of the cave.

Shelter:  2/5

The cave is quite exposed and does not offer much protection from wind and rain.

Outlook:  3/5

Looking upstream one can see a section of the escarpment protruding above the valley.

Overall Rating:  14/25

History:

Small Cave is apparently named after its discoverer rather than its size.

Last modified on 2011/11/10