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Hiked the Cathederal Contour Path this weekend from Orange Peal Gap all the way to Ribbon Falls. We tented all the way.

I did not see Xeni Cave for myself but 2 of our party dropped down the contour to check it out.

Sad to say hikers where using it and making a mess and they where using the secondary cave as a toilet.

I recall that Xeni Cave has suffered that abuse for many years already, in particular the "toilet cave". The organisation Bergwatch had a cave-monitoring programme running, which included on-site visits to the caves while hikers were staying in them. I'm not sure if this is still running. KZN Wildlife are conducting a systematic evaluation of the condition of caves and trails. This can in some cases lead to temporary closing of caves and trails in order to let the area recuperate. I'm not sure if they would ever close Xeni Cave though.

Not sure what the best solution would be in cases such as these: does one close the cave, or launch an education campaign aimed at hikers setting out to use it, or does one police those already using it? Thoughts anyone?

Stun gun and a black list for such hikers.

I encountered a scribble in the rock at marble baths that someone had written telling a fellow hiker that they were "at cave".

Are there stiff fines for littering, or for abuse of the area and/or caves? In Canada, fines for such environmental abuse are very severe, and although it serves as an unlikey solution without the true threat of enforcement, it is certainly a deterrent. If busted for this kind of activity by a park ranger here, fines could be in the thousands of dollars (which is a lot in Canadian funds), or you can be criminally charged.

Theoretically such fines could be imposed since there are laws and acts in place which would empower KZN Wildlife to do that. I've never heard of it happening though.

There used to be a system whereby people from Bergwatch would check up on certain caves after hikers had been there. If there was a mess, the hikers would be contacted (details taken from the rescue register), and asked to return and clean the cave. I've also seen a "name and shame" system some years back, whereby pictures of the mess would be posted on the notice boards, along with the names of those who made it. If I remember correctly, I've even seen this in connection with Xeni Cave before.

I have no idea how effective this was. Obviously it required active policing and manpower, and unfortunately the authorities seem to have their hands full chasing the smugglers these days. Though, I think a short list of popular caves which are easy to walk to, could be checked on regularly by patrols. I will look into the matter a little more and see what systems are in place (other than the systematic evaluation of trails and caves already taking place).

A lot can be also said about concerned hikers, such as we are, taking ownership and doing whatever we can about the problem. This includes things such cleaning up caves ourselves, reporting it to the authorities (and following it up), talking to other hikers about it, and even confronting culprits at times.