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I was at Marble Baths a week ago and found a plastic silver commerative plaque with a persons name (forgot the name) and birth and death dates on it (the person passed away in 2007). It was lying loose on a rock next to the big rock on the right hand side of the big pool as you look upstream. Anybody knows the story? I left it there since it looked as though it was placed there intentionally. I am surprised that it is still around. In hindsight I should have moved it, in big flash flood conditions it will probably wash away even thoughit is at prsent probably a meter above the stream's level.

Have not seen it before (was there last in March 08). If anyone has a picture of it, or is going there soon, please post it on this thread.

I don't mind discreetly placed plaque's in the Berg. There is of course the one in memory of Roland Smith (who ran a resort/lodge in the Champagne Valley) in Roland's Cave. I also accompanied someone to the summit of Cleft Peak once to look for an old plaque of their grandfather (he was simply someone who loved the Berg), which was found after a bit of searching.

The problem with them is that there shouldn't be man-made artefacts in proclaimed wilderness areas (by law and definition). As long there are only a few, placed away from trails, it's manageable. I don't think the one in question should be right at the Marble Baths. It should be tucked away somewhere where you have to look for it (like a geocache of sorts). It can infringe on people's sense of being out in the wilderness and it can also encourage placing of more plaques, which if it becomes more popular, will become an issue and will lead to them being removed.

We also saw this plaque last week. And two little holes in the rock where it used to fit. Plastic plaque, steel screws. The screws rusted away. The plaque won't be there much longer than the next rainfall though. However, the plaque provided very little information, apart from (if my memory serves me right) a shorter than normal lifespan.

As a World Heritage Site, I agree with Intrepid. If plaques are to be placed, it should be for persons who had some heritage to give to the Mountains or to them being proclaimed as a WHS (which would be more appropriate at the curio shop, personally...), and plaques such as those described potentially impact on the sense of place which we even fight for from an EIA perspective for developments in the buffer to the proclaimed areas, particularly adjacent to the wilderness areas...

Just my 2 cents worth, as an EIA planner.... Any stuff not approved through the correct channels with EKZNW approval (and possibly AMAFA if close to paintings) should be removed.... Maybe it will be removed by the next rains...