Onmeetbare Diepgat Cave

STAN WALKER, SASA Bulletin Vol. 4 Number 2 Page 25

This is a reprint from an early SASA Bulletin. Scan + OCR

Over the Easter weekend 1959, S.A.S.A. members turned up in strength at the meet held on the Provincial Farm "De Hoop", near Bredasdorp, in the Cape. One of the things they had come to investigate was an intriguing little note on the large-scale map of the area - a point as as Diepgat" (immeasurably deep hole).

Investigations led to the farm 'Dronkvlei', where Mr. Swart the tenant, proved to be very friendly and helpful. He knew of a hole which he assured us was not 'immesureable' and promised to lead us there.

On the way over he casdalty mentioned that there were wild. bees at the hole — five swarms - which indeed proved to be the case ; just to complete our day he also let it drop that a troop of baboons used the hole at night.

The way was further enlivened by our Chairman who demonstrated his agility at 'Bop' as he nimbly avoided a large black snake which slithered menacingly from under his feet.

On arrival we were impressed to see a large sink-hole about 70 feet across and some 60 feet deep, and we promptly lowered a rope-ladder down it. An even more prompt descent than usual was made, as we were being rapidly eaten alive - not by bees (who were fortunately out foraging at the time), but by a particularly vicious type of horsefly; it would perhaps be more appropriate to name the cave “horsefly hollow".

We were not optimistic as generally sinks of this nature successfully manage to block any erstwhile opening with the vast amount of rock and soil which falls down the pot, but in this case we were delighted to see a small hole in the south-west corner, and we lost no time in crawling into it.

We found that the cave went, and the party continued along a roughly horizontal floor in a south-west direction - towards the sea, The cave was extremely interesting, opening up now and then into largish chambers and in various parts being well populated by bats, After progressing some 500 feet, life suddenly became difficult as a pool of water stretched from wall to wall. However it proved navigable by crawling flat on one's stomach and we emerged on the other side, somewhat muddy and wet, and found that the cave continued on.

After some sulphurous language about wet cigarettes and matches, and the cruelty of the leader, we pushed on down the, passage, stopping briefly to explore odd side passages and avens in the ceiling. Suddenl.wye were amazed to come upon a river which rose in the cave and flowed strongly in the direction we were going. For some hundred feet we followed the main channel, splashing our way through. the shallows at the side, before the main stream deviated, and flowed under a siphon.

The cave continued, however, and some 600 feet beyond the first pool we came to another one. This was even more formidable than the first, as it was deep and the surface came, in places, to within 4 inches of the roof of the cave. The only way was to negotiate it by floating through feet first, on one's back, and hanging onto the 4 inches of fresh air for dear life. As the pool was nearly 300 feet in length, fun and games were had by all.

On the other side of the pool, the cave continues as before and the wet and bedraggled, but now mud-free party, pressed on eagerly. But about 1200 feet from the entrance, a deep pool was encountered into which the roof dipped entirely, forming a siphon. Fresh air still came. through some tumbled rocks at the far end ; but the hour was late, and we decided to abandon further exploration to a later date, when a party, properly equipped with under-water gear contd push the exploration further.