KHLIEH MYNSNGAD (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A collapse doline, which is taken as the Entrance 1 (note 1), is about 20 m (north-south) by 25 m (east-west) wide (ARBENZ, T 2012: 205 cave plan) and drops 20 m vertically down into a complex of dry and perennially wet cave passages which lead not only to lateral cave entrances (Krem –>Khlieh Mynsgad 2, Krem Khlieh Mynsngad 3), a certain daylight crack up and impenetrable boulder collapses but also to an unexplored flooded upstream (south) continuation (diving spot) styled terminal sump (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss: Krem Klieh Mynsngad / Vertical Labit 16.2.2008 Estelle Sandford 22nd Feb. 2010) and suspected to represent an unexplored connection 120 m (ARBENZ, T 2012: 205 cave plan) with Krem –>Khang Masi. ETYMOLOGY: No specific cave name has been identified for the -krem- or cave at the -khlieh- or head (note 2) of the -myn- or stream called -sngad- like several streams in the north-eastern part of the Jaintia Hills, which are called -sngad- or -sngat- (note 3). Little doubt remains tht the false spelling versions Khlie Arbenz, T (2010.03.31 cave distribution map: Pala_Ridge_4-10.pdf); ARBENZ, T (2012: 30 map) Khle (note 4) Brooks, S J et al. (2009.02 Mss: Diary 2009.doc: Monday 16th), Brooks, S J et al. (2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Mss: Overview 2010.doc); anonymous Brooks, S J et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (Current) 2010.doc: 13 February 2010-02-12) Klieh Arbenz, T (2012.08.18 Mss: Krem Klieh Mynsngad / Vertical Labit 16.2.2008 Existing Cave 22nd Feb. 2010 Estelle Sandford = Klieh Mynsngad_Rec.doc); Arbenz, T (2012.08.18 e-file: Klieh Mynsngad_Book.doc) are interesting (note 5) and daring to call the -myn- or stream Sgad (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 14th February) instead of Sngad testifies to a challenging approach to the art of orthography. Sandford, E (2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 14th February) decided to see this cave nicknamed Vertical Labbit (real name Krem Khlie Mynsngad) with Chris, Sarah and Pankaj, as if it were a Kre Labit Ieng Beit or Krem Labit Pynieng (note 6) but somebody mastered to create the even stranger spelling Krem Khle Mynsgad [sic!] (Vertical Labbit) (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 14th February). SETTING: Krem Khlieh Mynsngad lies 1.75 km in a direct line approximately NNE (1.5 km north, 0.75 km east) of Umkyrpong (25°26'04”N: 92°34'48”E) and drains a relatively low hill chain not, as foreigners would have prefered to see, to an easily accessible caving area in the south but north and, perhaps, towards the Wah Rynju (25°27'22”N: 92°35'55”E), a tributary to the orographically left (locally west) bank of the Kopili River. The downstream sump in neighbouring Krem Khang Masi lies about 120 m in a direct line hydrographically above the Krem Khlieh Mynsngad, which takes the entire flow of what was interpreted as a whole river [sic!], four metres wide, … taking a lot of water [circa 20'000'000 cubic mtres per annum] from the down-sloping northern par of the Umkyrpong plain [25°26'30”N: 92°34'50”E to 25°26'45”N: 92°35'20”E = four square kilometres] (after ARBENZ, T 2012: 204). SITUATION 2010: One of the three known cave entrances lies somewhere to the North of Umkrypong [sic!]Village (apparently Arbenz, T in: Brooks, S J et al. 2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Overview 2010.doc) which is the village of Umkyrpong (note 7). SITUATION 2009: The cave entrance lies at an unspecified location somewhere north (unidentified distance) of the village of Umkyrpong. POSITIONS: 25°26'53.8”N: 92°35'15.6”E (unidentified precision error, Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls) 25°26'53.8”N: 92°35'15.6”E (allegedly ±7 m ARBENZ, T 2012: 204) ascribed to S.Brooks 16.2.2008 Maghellan GPS (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss: Krem Klieh Mynsngad / Vertical Labit 16.2.2008 Estelle Sandford 22nd Feb. 2010) Krem Klieh Mynsngad (sic! Krem Khang Masi 1) 25°26’45.7”N: 92°35’13.5”E: 749 m (allegedly ±7 m, ARBENZ, T 2012: 204). ELEVATIONS: 749 m asl ascribed to .Brooks 16.2.2008 Maghellan GPS (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss: Krem Klieh Mynsngad / Vertical Labit 16.2.2008 Estelle Sandford 22nd Feb. 2010; ARBENZ, T 2012: 204) 779 m asl Arbenz, T (2009.06.11 cave distribution map: Pala_Ridge_3-09.pdf); Arbenz T (2013.03.16 Pala relief13 2.pdf) 809 m asl ARBENZ, T (2012: 205 cave plan) 839 m asl Arbenz, T (2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). APPROACH: A mororable track from an upper football pitch of Umkyrpong village north leads across the dry bed (3 m wide) of an unidentified stream, passes after 300 m at a miners' settlement (25°26’40.5”N: 92°34’55.0”E) and continues 200 m east via a certain the crest of a low outcropping (near 25°26’41.5”: 92°35’07.5”E) towards the cave entrance to Krem Khang Masi. A footpath proceeding from an unspecified this position northwards leads over the top of a low jungley hill turns slightly east and ends after another 200 m at the doline of Krem Klieh Mynsngad doline entrance (note 8). SPORTS DEVICE DESCRIPTION 2010: Th wet route leads upstream (first to NW, then to W) for 290 m until the roof meets the floor with an impassable squeeze. The downstream route to the NE can be followed for 60 m through a squeeze to a wide low maze of flat-out crawls. Draught and water continues in open passage beyond an impenetrable squeeze. All the other leads interconnect. The dry passages lead off from the Canyon Entrance area. To the East and NE two of these are explored. One is small and finishes after about 50 m of crawling with a small stream in a mud choke. The second one leads up to two other entrances. One entrance would probably be more convenient to use for any future visits. North of the entrance chamber a short and small side passage leads upwards to a small decorated chamber and boulders with no way on. The best large ‘dry’ lead is to the south and this actually passes quickly into a waist-deep canal. This sumps after about 100 m. The water flow is coming outwards from the sump. There are no other leads Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss). CAVE CONTENTS: Not only unspecified calcite formations at some point in the river passage and in a short side passage but also occurrences of somewhat sandy to muddy floors and, last but not least, a muddy terminal sump (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) where rather water disappears than workstations or the railroad line ends. SPELEOMETRY 2012: SPELEOMETRY 2010: Not the cave itself, as stated, but the survey length of Krem Khle Mynsgad was extended from 230 m to 763 m in length (Brooks, S J 2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Overview 2010.doc). SPELEOMETRY 2009: Khle Mynsngad (sic!) allowed the compilation of 229.93 m (Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). PROSPECTS 2012: With the exceptions of the relatively small hole downstream sump and the unexplored connection 120 m upstream sump (ARBENZ, T 2012: 205 cae plan), there were obviously no other leads (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) known to any caver prepared to breathe the relatively dry air in the abode of clouds. PROSPECTS2010: Bit of a Mendip style system and not really overly inspiring, ending in a [sic! qua: leading to] terminal sump in both directions (Sandford, E 2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 14th February). PROSPECTS 2009: Many ways on and cave very much ongoing (anonymous Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss: Diary 2009.doc: Friday 20th). CULTURAL HISTORY -- human use: Food source: Bat hunting with mist nets and [inexplicable] scrapers (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss). CAVE LIFE: Bats, fish, crickets, millipeds, spiders (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss).Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss). CAVE CONTENTS: Not only unspecified calcite formations at some point in the river passage and in a short side passage but also occurrences of somewhat sandy to muddy floors and, last but not least, a muddy terminal sump (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) where rather water disappears than workstations or the railroad line ends. SPELEOMETRY 2012: SPELEOMETRY 2010: Not the cave itself, as stated, but the survey length of Krem Khle Mynsgad was extended from 230 m to 763 m in length (Brooks, S J 2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Overview 2010.doc). SPELEOMETRY 2009: Khle Mynsngad (sic!) allowed the compilation of 229.93 m (Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). PROSPECTS 2012: With the exceptions of the relatively small hole downstream sump and the unexplored connection 120 m upstream sump (ARBENZ, T 2012: 205 cae plan), there were obviously no other leads (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) known to any caver prepared to breathe the relatively dry air in the abode of clouds. PROSPECTSArbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss). CAVE CONTENTS: Not only unspecified calcite formations at some point in the river passage and in a short side passage but also occurrences of somewhat sandy to muddy floors and, last but not least, a muddy terminal sump (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) where rather water disappears than workstations or the railroad line ends. SPELEOMETRY 2012: SPELEOMETRY 2010: Not the cave itself, as stated, but the survey length of Krem Khle Mynsgad was extended from 230 m to 763 m in length (Brooks, S J 2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Overview 2010.doc). SPELEOMETRY 2009: Khle Mynsngad (sic!) allowed the compilation of 229.93 m (Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). PROSPECTS 2012: With the exceptions of the relatively small hole downstream sump and the unexplored connection 120 m upstream sump (ARBENZ, T 2012: 205 cae plan), there were obviously no other leads (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) known to any caver prepared to breathe the relatively dry air in the abode of clouds. PROSPECTSArbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss). CAVE CONTENTS: Not only unspecified calcite formations at some point in the river passage and in a short side passage but also occurrences of somewhat sandy to muddy floors and, last but not least, a muddy terminal sump (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) where rather water disappears than workstations or the railroad line ends. SPELEOMETRY 2012: SPELEOMETRY 2010: Not the cave itself, as stated, but the survey length of Krem Khle Mynsgad was extended from 230 m to 763 m in length (Brooks, S J 2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Overview 2010.doc). SPELEOMETRY 2009: Khle Mynsngad (sic!) allowed the compilation of 229.93 m (Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). PROSPECTS 2012: With the exceptions of the relatively small hole downstream sump and the unexplored connection 120 m upstream sump (ARBENZ, T 2012: 205 cae plan), there were obviously no other leads (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) known to any caver prepared to breathe the relatively dry air in the abode of clouds. PROSPECTSArbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss). CAVE CONTENTS: Not only unspecified calcite formations at some point in the river passage and in a short side passage but also occurrences of somewhat sandy to muddy floors and, last but not least, a muddy terminal sump (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) where rather water disappears than workstations or the railroad line ends. SPELEOMETRY 2012: SPELEOMETRY 2010: Not the cave itself, as stated, but the survey length of Krem Khle Mynsgad was extended from 230 m to 763 m in length (Brooks, S J 2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Overview 2010.doc). SPELEOMETRY 2009: Khle Mynsngad (sic!) allowed the compilation of 229.93 m (Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). PROSPECTS 2012: With the exceptions of the relatively small hole downstream sump and the unexplored connection 120 m upstream sump (ARBENZ, T 2012: 205 cae plan), there were obviously no other leads (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) known to any caver prepared to breathe the relatively dry air in the abode of clouds. PROSPECTSArbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss). CAVE CONTENTS: Not only unspecified calcite formations at some point in the river passage and in a short side passage but also occurrences of somewhat sandy to muddy floors and, last but not least, a muddy terminal sump (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) where rather water disappears than workstations or the railroad line ends. SPELEOMETRY 2012: SPELEOMETRY 2010: Not the cave itself, as stated, but the survey length of Krem Khle Mynsgad was extended from 230 m to 763 m in length (Brooks, S J 2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Overview 2010.doc). SPELEOMETRY 2009: Khle Mynsngad (sic!) allowed the compilation of 229.93 m (Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). PROSPECTS 2012: With the exceptions of the relatively small hole downstream sump and the unexplored connection 120 m upstream sump (ARBENZ, T 2012: 205 cae plan), there were obviously no other leads (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss) known to any caver prepared to breathe the relatively dry air in the abode of clouds. PROSPECTS2010: Bit of a Mendip style system and not really overly inspiring, ending in a [sic! qua: leading to] terminal sump in both directions (Sandford, E 2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 14th February). PROSPECTS 2009: Many ways on and cave very much ongoing (anonymous Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss: Diary 2009.doc: Friday 20th). CULTURAL HISTORY -- human use: Food source: Bat hunting with mist nets and [inexplicable] scrapers (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss). CAVE LIFE: Bats, fish, crickets, millipeds, spiders (Arbenz, T 2012.08.18 Mss).