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Swartkop Ridge 3 Traditional Cache

Hidden : 8/2/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The third in a series of five "Swartkop Ridge" caches. This is a moderately strenuous hike following the ridge line and incorporating some rock scrambles. The path is a little over grown in some places, particularly on the lower slopes, but it is well defined and easy to follow.

Park at S34° 15.490 E018° 27.535 near the entrance to the Smitswinkel Forestry Station. Walk South East a short distance down the tar road to a set of stone steps. Head up the steps and turn right, roughly following the fence line as it turns North East until you reach an old farm gate which marks the trail head.

After ascending the steepest sections of this hike, past Swartkop Ridge 1 & 2, the going becomes much easier. Head along the path to S34° 14.332 E018° 27.780, at the top of a small rise. At this point turn East towards the cache location at the edge of the ridge, near the large cairn.

You can now continue on to Swartkop Ridge 4 or return via the same route.




Alternate Route
While this series was designed to be a "there and back" hike, you might also enjoy doing this as a one way hike. In this case I would advise starting from the Simon's Town end and doing the series in reverse order, as you probably won't want to negotiate the Swartkop Peak after having hiked the length of the ridge :)

Arrange to have a vehicle parked at the Smitswinkel end. At the Simon's Town end, park on the jeep track off Jan Smuts Drive, at S34° 12.046 E018° 26.890. Head up the jeep track to the Blockhouse Gap Footpath, at S34° 12.044 E018° 26.750 and follow the path as it winds its way up to the saddle and then continue on, up and over Swartkop Peak. There are several caches you can do along the way, if you have not done them already.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

fgnaqvat ba gur rqtr, gur pnpur vf haqre lbhe srrg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)