Fires in Caves
19 Aug 2014 10:25 #61536
by Selous
Fires in Caves was created by Selous
Hi All
I did a weekend hike this last weekend in the Cobham area. We stayed in Gxlaningewena Cave and Spectacle Cave. I found lots of evidence of fires and also the use of dead "owe houd " from around the caves. I know that KZN Wildlife does not allow this but it seems as though hikers make fires quite often either for ambiance or for warmth or for both I know that in many caves and small shelters the Basotho make fires. I must admit that I don't like staying in caves where there is evidence of fires. Is anybody else out there like me?
Regards
Selous
I did a weekend hike this last weekend in the Cobham area. We stayed in Gxlaningewena Cave and Spectacle Cave. I found lots of evidence of fires and also the use of dead "owe houd " from around the caves. I know that KZN Wildlife does not allow this but it seems as though hikers make fires quite often either for ambiance or for warmth or for both I know that in many caves and small shelters the Basotho make fires. I must admit that I don't like staying in caves where there is evidence of fires. Is anybody else out there like me?
Regards
Selous
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19 Aug 2014 10:34 #61537
by PeterHowells
Replied by PeterHowells on topic Fires in Caves
I also do not like evidence of fire in caves. I mostly notice it in the lower lying caves that are an "easy walk" from campsites which leads me to think that it is done by not-serious hikers but rather people out for a night's "jol" in the mountains. Unfortunately this is impossible to police in the huge area of the berg.
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19 Aug 2014 11:08 - 19 Aug 2014 13:16 #61538
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Fires in Caves
I don't like the evidence of fires in caves either. Fires in caves is unethical and unlawful in our times. Not only are all indigeneous plants in the Drakensberg Park protected by law, some are even endangered and endemic. Making fires also introduces the threat of starting runaway fires. The fires also ruin the caves. They blacken the walls and roofs. Bear in mind that several caves where hikers are allowed to sleep still have rock art in them if you look carefully (for example Xeni, Lower Injasuthi, Bushman's etc) and fires lead to further degradation of these. And by making a fire you are showing a lack of respect and consideration to other hikers.
A note about using out "ouhoud" (Rosewood / ChiChi) as firewood. The reason it is called "ouhoud" is because it looks like old wood and because it burns very slowly and produces a lot of smoke. So, don't bother guys!
In my subjective opinion, I believe that the shepherds and smugglers are probably bigger culprits for fire-related damage/mess in caves than hikers. The smugglers are for the authorities to deal with. As for the hikers, we can make a difference by educating others and encouraging them not to do it. It also helps to clean up a fire mess in a cave since this is less inviting for another fire to be made.
See also the thread on Cave Etiquette .
A note about using out "ouhoud" (Rosewood / ChiChi) as firewood. The reason it is called "ouhoud" is because it looks like old wood and because it burns very slowly and produces a lot of smoke. So, don't bother guys!
In my subjective opinion, I believe that the shepherds and smugglers are probably bigger culprits for fire-related damage/mess in caves than hikers. The smugglers are for the authorities to deal with. As for the hikers, we can make a difference by educating others and encouraging them not to do it. It also helps to clean up a fire mess in a cave since this is less inviting for another fire to be made.
See also the thread on Cave Etiquette .
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 19 Aug 2014 13:16 by intrepid.
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19 Aug 2014 11:18 #61539
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Fires in Caves
I recently saw candle wax on the floor of a cave - can't particularly remember which cave it was, possibly Mzimude Cave. That also bothers me.
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19 Aug 2014 12:34 #61540
by Captain
Replied by Captain on topic Fires in Caves
Unfortunately, I've met a few hikers/climbers who have readily admitted to lighting fires in caves in the berg, including a pretty well known individual from within the mountaineering community. Their argument has been that it adds to the ambience and they know what they're doing anyways.
During December last year I came across a group of 6 rather well-built guys in their mid-twenties, one of whom was wearing an Israeli Defence Force t-shirt who appeared to be doing some kind of wilderness training around the Marble baths cave area. I may be wrong but these guys did not appear to be your regular hiking types! They had collected a massive pile of wood and chopped down some shrubs all of which they carried up to the main cave. It took 4 of them to bundle up the wood and then carry the whole bundle up to the main cave from the baths. That evening they made a pretty big fire in the main Marble baths cave. My group was in the annexe. I had a chat with 1 of them just before sunset and while they were polite enough, there certainly seemed to be something sinister about the group.
During December last year I came across a group of 6 rather well-built guys in their mid-twenties, one of whom was wearing an Israeli Defence Force t-shirt who appeared to be doing some kind of wilderness training around the Marble baths cave area. I may be wrong but these guys did not appear to be your regular hiking types! They had collected a massive pile of wood and chopped down some shrubs all of which they carried up to the main cave. It took 4 of them to bundle up the wood and then carry the whole bundle up to the main cave from the baths. That evening they made a pretty big fire in the main Marble baths cave. My group was in the annexe. I had a chat with 1 of them just before sunset and while they were polite enough, there certainly seemed to be something sinister about the group.
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19 Aug 2014 15:14 #61547
by andrew r
make a difference. today.
Replied by andrew r on topic Fires in Caves
I agree that evidence of fires in/around caves detracts from the enjoyment of staying in a cave, and fully endorse intrepid's culture of leaving caves and the berg in general better than we found it. To this end, I don't think there are many eco-friendly & practical ways of getting rid of smoke-stains on the rocks, but we can certainly sweep up and bury ash, and remove litter when we go. Would be worth packing some extra ziplock bags in anticipation of this.
make a difference. today.
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