NEWSLETTER NUMBER 41
19 November 2007
“MHC - Wonder Valley Cave week end”
Injisuthi
17 – 18 November 2007
S.A. Hikers
Wonder Valley Cave, in the Injisuthi area of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Park, is one of the easiest and nicest caves to visit in the berg. The hike is fairly easy , with just a short sharp climb up the Van Heyningen’s Pass to help your heart beat to rise for an hour or so, the rest is easy. The path is good, but a bit slippery in wet weather. Views of the high berg can be spectacular if the weather “be good”
6 of us from the Midlands Hiking Club, met at the Injisuthi campsite on Saturday to hike to Wonder Valley cave. The weather was poor, heavy mist, and threatening rain for the week end. However as the cave was close, we knew that we could soon be under shelter if it did start to rain. A little later, a short rest period to adjust packs, and look up to the high hills about us .The view was limited due to mist.
The path wonders through a number of heavily treed natural valleys, and the continual wet conditions give rise to the growth of thick forest vegetation , and lichens and moss covered rocks. Good cool drinking water.
From the top of the first Look out point , there are wonderful views of the valley far below. One looks directly down onto the campsite which we left some 2 hours ago. Directly across the valley is the long and winding Injisuthi Valley , the way to Battle Cave. On top of the opposite ridge is the lone rangers outpost known as Injisuthi Outpost , which is reached via Giants Castle camp. A long and slow 4 x 4 drive up the mountain .
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Sooner or later we all ended up down at the river, as this is the nearest point to get cooking and drinking water from. Back in the cave, which is a very nice cave, with a good flat bed, well protected from the elements, and a very friendly striped field mouse to boot, it was time to settle down and while away the afternoon and evening with stories and general chit chat. A good few cups of hot tea and biscuits, and soon strangers become friends. That is what it is all about.
Supper was had with a very great assortment of food on hand from the various back packs. Then a last cup of hot chocolate, and it was time to turn in. What better way to go to sleep with the wide open sky in front of you, a waft of mist floating above your sleeping bag, and good fresh air blowing up your nose. We all slept the sleep of the dead. No one moving until first light next morning.
Sunday morning broke with a heavy mist hanging low and blocking out the view. No telltale promise of the sun to break through later. So after a slow breakfast, we packed and headed back to our cars. The weather threatened rain, so rain gear was put on in the cave, including the unfurling of one tattered bluish umbrella.
A last picture as we hiked home, still no sun , but brilliant spirits from all
One of the great surprises and pleasures of hiking at this time of the year is the great variety of flowers that abound in the mountains. Come rain or shine, mist or gloom , they are there, just slow down , look around and take time to stop and admire. The protea were just starting to bloom , the Mountain Bottle Brush just coming to the end of its prime time. Big and small, they are all there. Around each corner is a different colour or species, what mountain magic to be seen. So don’t rush, or you will be the poorer for missing the show.
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