Grindstone Cave & Lower Injasuthi Cave Loop

We had this problem last year with Xeni Cave, the annex next to the cave had been used extensivly as a toilet, lucky it didn't smell, but toilet paper everywhere. There was also candles all over the cave and a big fire place.

Reported it to Ezemvelo and they send up a team to clean it up

They also mentioned working on a way of educating people as to cave etiquette. Obviously in this forum we mostly have pretty good respect for the caves and how to leave them, but after doing a few hikes with newbies it is quite surprising and kinda interesting what people consider 'fair practice'. I think a lot more education is required, possibly even some kind of declaration needs to be signed when a group heads off to use a cave.

Macc, I totally agree. People need to be educated and much more must be done to try to ensure compliance to the rules the experienced hikers take for granted. I can still remember the forester/ranger at Monk's Cowl in the 80's giving all departing hikers, no matter how experienced, a lecture on toilet etiquette, no fires, etc.

You will be sad to know that when I passed by Xeni Cave about three weeks ago, there is new evidence of toilet use, a huge pile of ash on the floor and lots of candle soot marks all over the walls, much to my dismay including immediately next to the rock art.

I think there may be a problem with the iNjasuti area as I have reported and emailed illegal activity on a few occasions (even to head office) and they have never bothered to reply to me!!! Tony will remember the one occasion when we encountered hunting dogs in Dead Dog Cave on an Eland kill. We even sent EKZNW photos of the dogs for identification and they never came back to me!! I was very involved in the past with the old Natal Parks Board and I see the state of conservation in KZN is rapidly deteriorating at the moment. The future does not look good if things progress as they are. Conservation is really in the hands of the public working together with a passionate and dedicated EKZNW management. Conservation is a passion and not just a job as many in EKZNW see and treat it today...sorry for standing on some toes!!

Macc wrote: They also mentioned working on a way of educating people as to cave etiquette. Obviously in this forum we mostly have pretty good respect for the caves and how to leave them, but after doing a few hikes with newbies it is quite surprising and kinda interesting what people consider 'fair practice'. I think a lot more education is required, possibly even some kind of declaration needs to be signed when a group heads off to use a cave.

I like to think that this is a case of ignorance rather than lack of consideration. If I go with new hikers, if I haven't spoken to them personally, I usually email some info re cave and toilet etiquette, care of the environment, fauna and flora etc.

I know this would obviously be too onerous, but perhaps an information sheet that the leader of each hike and day hike has to sign might be an idea, as Macc says.

tonymarshall wrote: Macc, I totally agree. People need to be educated and much more must be done to try to ensure compliance to the rules the experienced hikers take for granted. I can still remember the forester/ranger at Monk's Cowl in the 80's giving all departing hikers, no matter how experienced, a lecture on toilet etiquette, no fires, etc.

I remember years ago the ranger at Cathedral Peak wouldn't let you hike if you didn't have a trowel...

Wow these look and sound amazing!

I'm thinking of doing a hike in the area next weekend with my husband and daughters. They were all fine during our hike on the Ampitheatre in March but I really battled.

I'm thinking of doing Grindstone and Marble Baths cave but I'm not sure which is easier to go to first from the camp site.

I'm also battling to find out the distances etc, there seems to be such varied information. It souds like the path along the river to Marble Baths is great, what about to Grindstone cave?

Looking forward to some recommendations and informations.

Thank you in advance.

Hi vasbyt,

Injasuthi camp to Grindstone Caves is approx 4k's, with a 400m altitude gain, so whilst it's not hectic it is a bit of a climb. From Grindstone Cave to the contour path is another 4 k's up Gibisila Ridge, with an altitude gain of 360m. From there its another 4k's of downhill to Marble Baths Cave..

Lower Injasuthi Cave is 8k's from the camp, with about 400m altitude gain, so very easy. That's the route that loosely follows the Injasuthi River. Marble Baths from the Injasuthi River side, is also about the same, but a steeper walk in on the last section up to the Baths and caves..

Lower Injasuthi and Marble Baths are easier than doing Grindstone and then Marble Baths..

My details above are from the map and memory, sure Smurf will correct if they are out,but the gist is correct.

Hope this helps..

The caves are quite popular so book as soon as you have plans in place.

Thanks Papa Dragon, unfortunately time isn't on our side right now so we won't be doing the hike, not for a while but it's good to know.