Upper Injisuthi Cave

It appears that both the Upper Injisuthi Cave and Marble Baths Cave have been reserved for the nights of 8 April 2023 and 9 April 2023 respectively.  (Based on them not being listed as options for these nights on bookings.kznwildlife.com)

It will be the first Corners Pass - Mafadi Peak - Leslies Pass hike for my 24 year old son and I (his fit 50 year old dad).  Can anyone advise if there are reasonable tent site options near these caves - in terms of flatness, safety and wind exposure?  Considering that we are only a party of two, the party who has reserved these caves may even be kind enough to share the caves with us if they have space.

Thanks in advance.

Hi LarenF

There is a second cave down stream from Marble Batrhs on the south side of the stream that you can use there (probably about 500m down and  just before it joins the stream from the next valley). Alternatively there are decent tent spots just north of the Marble baths stream.

Upper Injisuthi - I am sure you will easily find a flat spot close to the stream up there.

LarenF,

Welcome on VE!

There are 2 caves at Marble Baths, with the annex being the smaller of the 2. Both are pretty miserable in the wet, so consider taking a tent along. Gives you more flexibility as well.

Just opposite the river from the caves, as you cross over (i.e. when following the path) there is a nice flat round clearing for tenting. Then, as you go towards Leslies, when you get to the base of the ridge going up into Leslies, there is another similar round clearing where you can pitch a few tents. Makes for an easier day 2, and you shouldn't battle too much to find water here. Maybe just top up about 500m or so before the bottom of the ridge is it looks like water is running low in the riverbed.

Regarding UIC, note that you can't book escarpment caves. That being said, somebody might have advised the reservations office that they are planning to sleep over in this cave, them being courteous and all, but escarpment caves are first come first served. Maybe check how many people are planning to sleep over, the cave is fairly roomy and if only say 2 people plan to sleep over there would be more than enough room for you two.

If the cave is out of the question, there are sort of flat terraced sections below the cave, quite a number of them spread out below the cave entrance, in close proximity. Pick one that you like. Pretty level and smooth sleeping surface, but definitely more exposed than in the tent. You are high here, and the vegetation will tell you that this area is windy, so I would suggest maybe taking an extra long tent peg or two along, just in case. You can also tent in the valley immediately to the left (as you face the escarpment, or then to the North), near the Buttresses. Also a stream nearby, quite nice but I don't recall the area being as fat and smooth as immediately below UIC.

Whichever option you go for, enjoy the Berg!!!

Thanks very much BergAttie, much appreciated!

Thanks RiaanG for the welcome and for the advice.

We will certainly take a tent, but appreciate the "long peg" advice.

I was informed by the Camp Manager that we have to book Upper Injisuthi Cave before hand - we go to the top and the cave and moved in, a second group came in and informed us it was already booked by their group and we had to move - luckily we did have tents. To make double sure I check their website and it is listed as bookable online and it was also confirmed when I phoned them - so clearly it is bookable.

Was news to me because we always assumed escarpment caves can't be booked.

Yep UIC is the exception to the escarpment cave "rule", Ezemvelo require you to book it - I'd guess because it's so popular.

Thank you DeonS and Grae22.  That is my understanding as well - UIC can be reserved.

DeonS wrote:

I was informed by the Camp Manager that we have to book Upper Injisuthi Cave before hand - we go to the top and the cave and moved in, a second group came in and informed us it was already booked by their group and we had to move - luckily we did have tents. To make double sure I check their website and it is listed as bookable online and it was also confirmed when I phoned them - so clearly it is bookable.

Was news to me because we always assumed escarpment caves can't be booked.

 

I've had that at Twins Cave before. Arrived at Didima, checked the cave was available and booked it at the office. Arrived at the cave, an hour later a mountain guide shows up with clients and very rudely tells us to get out because he has booked it. I pointed out we had also booked the cave, and that there was plenty of space for everyone. He told us that his clients were paying, and we were just casual hikers, so we should leave the cave for them. Eventually after refusing to move for about 15 minutes (I was sitting in my sleeping bag and it was raining outside - so I had no interest in moving), they eventually left and went to annex. That was Feb 2018 if I recall correctly, I seem to recall Tony collecting water while this happened, so it was just Hobbit and myself in the cave.

Incidentally multiple groups can book the same cave as per Ezemvelo rules. Same for huts. I've had that at Zulu Cave where we had something like 8 MCSA members and 2 random people who arrived after dark saying they had also booked it - there was space, so I didn't have a problem with sharing. When I checked at the office the next day, turns out they had also booked.

DeonS wrote:

I was informed by the Camp Manager that we have to book Upper Injisuthi Cave before hand - we go to the top and the cave and moved in, a second group came in and informed us it was already booked by their group and we had to move - luckily we did have tents. To make double sure I check their website and it is listed as bookable online and it was also confirmed when I phoned them - so clearly it is bookable.

Was news to me because we always assumed escarpment caves can't be booked.
 

So, if you book the UIC you can bring the booking pdf file and tell them that you book it.  So, they cannot kick you out.