The Caves of Ifidi

This thread is getting rather lavatorial!

I've read in the trip reports section on how to get to the cave, but can somebody please advise if it is possible to get back up onto the escarpment by going directly South and onto the escarpment, or would I have to go back on the route I ued to get to the cave? Also, what is the last point from the escarpment from where I can descend to go to the cave? I would prefer to walk on the escarment towards the cave rather than below the escarpment once we get to the top of Ifidi pass.

I'm not totally sure, but believe it is not possible to head south back to the escarpment from Ifidi Cave, as there are cliffs above the cave, and further south below Ifidi Peak. I have always approached (or left) Ifidi Cave by going down (or up) the gully above Ifidi Annex Cave (S 28 47.652 E 28 56.628) and past Ifidi Annex Cave.

If you want to head south from Ifidi Cave, first head north west about 300 m to Ifidi Annex Cave, up the gully, and then south over the Ifidi ridge. It is thus not necessary to head back to the False Ifidi Caves or Ifidi Pass to head south from Ifidi Cave, as you would access the cave if coming from the north.

From the north the last point to head down from the escarpment to Ifidi Cave is the gully mentioned above. The escarpment (or top of the summit cliffs/watershed) is a lot higher than the top of Ifidi Pass, and quite a distance from the top of the pass, and it would be usual if coming up Ifidi Pass to contour around from the top of the pass past the False Ifidi Caves towards Ifidi Cave, and not go via the extra height and distance to the watershed.

Thanks Tony,

Didn't know that the watershed was that much higher, explains why most people follow the route you've described above.

On this weekends hike the plan was to sleep over in Ifidi cave, but we got to the top with only about 5 minutes light left and a fairly fresh wind was blowing. My wife was in no mood to attempt to find the cave walking along the edge of a cliff in this wind, so we pitched the tent

However,I'm still not quite sure of the correct approach. The two photos below were taken by me standing just above the ridge of false Ifidi cave and about 70m or so further South along this ridge. The first image was taken the Friday night, the second on Saturday morning. I would really appreciate if somebody could draw a line for me on this image describing the entrance and route to Ifidi cave.

By the massive summit cairn you detour off the top, follow the grass ledge past the false cave and keep going for a while. There is a bit of a trail. You eventually reach the cave. It is quite far around though.

The route you follow to Ifidi Cave is as shown in your photos, just much further around than can be seen in your photo. You traverse along the ledge shown in your photo, following the contour to the right, and then further along you ascend slightly and turn gradually left. The trail is not very strong, but can be followed. Ifidi Cave is below the cliffs shown in the background of your photo.

That is why you have to head out back towards Ifidi Cave Annex to get onto the summit, because of the cliffs above Ifidi Cave.

What is the best place to collect water when going to Ifidi Cave? (Assuming I'm coming from Ifidi Pass).