Utshani Cave

Hi everyone,

I'm curious if anyone has any info on Utshani Cave which is located on the path between Easter and Twins Cave? During our December 25 GT our group was a bit too large for Easter Cave and we went on an unsuccessful scouting mission to see if we could find the cave in hope of accommodating another 2 hikers. It was super misty and even with the GPS coordinates and new digital Slingsby map at hand we eventually gave up the search after about 30 minutes. We followed the path a few hundred metres towards Twins and searched both above and below it.  
 
This thread   easter-cave-to-twins-cave  is the only reference I could find of it which mentions that was used frequently in the 80's and 90's whilst being mistaken as Easter Cave. We've used Billy's cave a few times before but it is much higher up close to the top of Mlambonja pass alternative summit (which was not deemed to be an option). Luckily we found a great single-tent camp spot on a flat spot close to Easter cave.

I know it is a shot in the dark but hoping that someone can shed light on the mystery 

 

Thanks a million Merv, mystery solved!   

Does look like a decent winter shelter. Always helpful to have options at hand, one never knows when it might be needed. 

Hi Supertramp,

Ditto to Smurfs answer. Been there once but didn't stay over, lots of rocks in the grass, bumpy and lumpy and not a great overhang as you can see from he's pics. The way we got to it is as you top out on the escarpment you immediately turn right and walk to the first rock band which will be slightly towards your left on the escarpment edge. Just drop down here and traverse towards Easter cave for a short while. I initially thought it was in the upper rock band, but not so, it's a bit lower down. Still in the same rock and but not on the top terrace, you drop down maybe 15m or so? I wouldn't bother with it unless I was really looking for a shelter. Nice views though! Have you tried the overhang to the true right of Easter cave? Quite nice and spacious, but could be a bit windy. Another cave you can try out if you are looking for something new is, as you drop down Mlambonja pass, not via the cairns section but that steep shorter path, if you look to the true right about 20m below the escarpment edge you will see a cave with a low stone wall at the opening. Quite steep getting to it and also a bit rocky inside, but with great views as well. Sleeps about 5 or so people, but could get rain blown in depending on the wind direction.

Thank you for the info Riaang, much appreciated.

No wonder we couldn't find it in the mist, I was way off   Did not know about either of the options at Easter Cave or the top of Mlambonja. Will be sure to keep them in the memory bank for the next trip. Billy's cave is our absolute favourite in that area. Have never been a fan of camping next to the river on that part of the escarpment.