Meyer's Memorial Cave
Meyers Memorial Cave
Peter Swart, 25 March 1996
Introduction
While walking along Rooi Afrikaaner Ridge (RAR) one day, we found a small open system, which we called RAR I, and a slightly larger system which we called RAR II. Upon examining the SASA bulletins, we found that SASA members found some small caves on the same ridge, one of which they named Meyer's Memorial. They described this as a heart shaped cave. As they did not survey the caves, and did not follow Meyer's practice of painting the cave name at the entrance, we cannot be certain that the cave which we found is Meyer's Memorial, but the description does indicate that RAR II is probably Meyer's Memorial.
Meyer's Memorial (RAR II)
The entrance to this cave is divided into two passages by a block which has fallen from the ceiling. This entrance leads to a 2m wide by 10m chamber, which is 1.6m high. This in turn leads to a second smaller chamber, which is 3m high. A network of low stream passage link these chambers to the cliff. It is one of these side passages which is close to RAR I.
Conclusion
Both Rooi Afrikaaner Ridge I & II caves were formed by joint enlargement, and appear to have once been part of the same cave system. As can be seen from the plan, the main passages of both caves have formed along parallel joints.
Note:
We visited these caves on two consecutive weekends during August, and on both occasions found a lone horseshoe bat hanging in approximately the same place. On the first visit, the bat was rocking gently to and frow, and in a deep torpor. On the second visit, the bat was quite still, and appeared to be unaffected by both the infrared forcus mechannism of my camera, and the flash. It did not like being scratched on the back, but when tickled under the chin, it stretched and inclinded its head, just the way cat would.
See also: Meyer's Memorial Cave, Rooi Afrikaaner Ridge I Cave, Rooi Afrikaaner Ridge II Cave