The Caves of Ifidi

Here we go www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/12-drakensberg-caves/1904-the-caves-of-ifidi.html

On a recent visit to Ifidi Cave in September last year, I noticed with sadness that the area around the cave is starting to show signs of increased visitation by hikers. The increased numbers of visitors is in part (if not entirely) as a result of information on this once little-known cave now being readily accessible through articles and threads such as this one.

When I first visited the cave, I did not notice trails, cairns, litter and toilet paper.

I would like to appeal to the community and anyone reading this to:

1) Not build any more cairns - the one marking the spot on the escarpment edge where you drop down to the rock band is all that is needed.

2) To try as much as possible not to create multiple tracks on the grass slopes leading to the cave. These grass slopes are ecologically sensitive and vulnerable and multiple tracks are unsightly and unnecessary. From what I see, the best "track" is to stick fairly close to the rock band (this needs confirmation and input from others).

3) To not leave litter or even tea bags in the cave.

4) To pee and throw out rinse water well down the grass slopes below the cave, avoiding the drip ponds right in front of the cave which serve as the summer water supply.

5) To dispose of and cover up toilet paper properly - not leaving it visible and flapping on the grass or out from under a rock. If you traverse the grass slopesfurther along, beyond the cave, you will eventually cross some boulders/scree, beyond which the grass slopes continue - this is a suitable place to go to the toilet - NOT the grass slopes a few meters from the cave which you cross to get the boulders! This has evidently become the toilet area of choice, as is evidenced by very visible toilet paper, some of it even rolled up and stashed under small overhangs (including a tampon). Please avoid this practice!

I appreciate everyone's support in this matter.

If you take the time to experiment using plants instead of toilet paper (carrying it only as back-up) there is definitely something to be learned in what works and what doesn't and in which plants are good ones for Little Berg or High Berg.

Using plants one does have to take care not to break too much off one plant, and not to pull the roots up etc, that the plant easily bounces back.