Caves or tents?

Caves.

One of the pleasures of VE is watching the evolution of collective trains of thought on a myriad of topics and likely one topic will come up that sits well with its reader more than another. Caves is one such topic that is pre-eminent in my mind but in this survey I have not seen much about the ‘existential value’ of caves. Pity those who see only the ‘logistical’ side of sitting inside a rock enclave. Caves actually define the Drakensberg, as bbharim alludes to, and comprise part of what distinguishes this mountain range from others around the world. While few if any ranges have a representative proportion of caves along their length as the Berg does, it is (was) their use by the long extinct Bushmen that makes them even more relevant and profound. Staying in a cave in the Drakensberg is an exercise in primordial shelter-taking that links one with the ancients. It is so profound that the United Nations gave the Drakensberg-uKhahlamba a dual distinction in World Heritage status that is rare on this planet, for both scenic and cultural importance (most only get one status). How caves are formed evidences another reason for the Berg’s singularity in that unlike other mountains, the geomorphic creation and destruction processes of elevated landscapes are displayed with extreme clarity and continuity (see The Natal Monocline by Lester King, prerequisite reading for anyone needing convincing of this) as is the cave formation itself. Caves are representative, in part, that the Berg is forming down and inward as a mountain range, unlike those others (Andies, Rockies, Alps, Himalayas) which are thrusting up and out.

I don’t stay in a cave for any other reason than it connects me with that demonstrative mountainous feature that no other mountain range on earth can provide me. If I stay in a tent I can be on any place on Earth; if I stay in a Berg cave I can only be where the lavas once flowed, the dinosaurs once ranged, dragons once flew, the Bushman once ran, and where the silence and solitude of a cave are second to none in this busy, cacophonous world. Without the echoes of Gondwanaland and the African spirits and legends layering on my senses like sandstone and basalt on this post-volcanic mountain range I would not find the Berg, and its caves, my favourite place on earth.

Nice points.

Mattalica wrote: tick both for me

That would have the effect of bringing the split slightly closer to 50:50, thus you may as well vote tents...

I am definitely on the caves side of this one, they are "lighter to carry" and definitely have better views than the wall of my new 360 degree 2 man tent that replaced my not-very-dry Treklite III that is hopefully keeping some Basothu nice and warm this winter...

There is nothing left to say about caves after Thomas' posting. Someone remember to include that in the forward of their Berg book one day!

Dear thomas
Man, your literary skills are impressive

I had to upgrade my brains 'RAM' to enable my poor 'little grey cells' to cope with your 19th century length sentences but I get the drift and ditto your sentiments wholeheartedly.

Hey, I could get into this!

Caves all the way.

There weren't no tents 10000BC.

Who cares about the dirt?!

Bigsnake wrote: Dear thomas
Man, your literary skills are impressive

I had to upgrade my brains 'RAM' to enable my poor 'little grey cells' to cope with your 19th century length sentences but I get the drift and ditto your sentiments wholeheartedly.

Hey, I could get into this!

Nonsense!

My camera sensor does not like the 'dirt'.

Pro and cons for both but I am a tent man. Like the freedom of being able to sleep any place. Plus pitching on the escarpment edge makes for an awesome view.