Tham Nam Lei [CH00055]

ห้วยยาง (TH)
16.573672,101.821173
Length 230m Depth 9m
Grottocenter / carte

Location

This resurgence is about 1km to the south-west of Ban Tham Ngoen, at the western end of the valley. From the monkÆs house at the head of the valley a path leads for about 100m to the resurgence which is boulder choked. The cave is also signposted in Ban Pha Biat, on the road to Nam Phut Thap Lao, as being 3km away. Martin Ellis - 21/06/2019

Description

Martin Ellis - 21/06/2019

A hole at the back of the boulders leads down into the boulder floored passage where the stream flows along the right hand wall. After a few metres a skylight is passed and then you reach a ælandingÆ where the 75m long swim begins. After 20m the lake pinches down to a low section which obviously sumps in the rainy season, before the swim opens up again into larger passage. A passage was also noted high up on the left just beyond the low section of the entrance, but the climb will require aid. The lake ends at a gravel beach where there are several large formations. It possible to walk from here to the upstream sump pool by crossing a sand bar and using large water worn holes in the wall to bypass sections of deeper water. A fine, but short, streamway is followed up several cascades and boulder falls passing a bamboo hut which is used by the monks for meditation. The end of the cave is a 20m swim to a low passage which then sumps. In February 2002 the water levels were lower than on the first trip in 2000 enabling a further 10 m of progress at the upstream sump. A calcite slope above the sump may be a potential route over the top. Local monks suggested to Smart in June 1999 that in the dry season this sump can be passed and the cave "continues for over 1 km with no end in sight". In April 2010, after some very dry weather, the sump was still closed and water was resurging.

Géologie

Martin Ellis - 21/06/2019

The cave is formed along a fault. The cave passage mainly follows the strike with cascades where short sections go up dip. Slickensides were seen in the footwall of the fault beside one of the pools.

Topographie

Martin Ellis - 21/06/2019

ELLIS, MARTIN; BARRETT, DAVE (2001) - BCRA Grade 3c

Plongée

Martin Ellis - 21/06/2019

Upstream sump was dived in November 2010 to a depth of -8m. Difficulty finding the way on due to sloping ledges and silt, but an archway was located.

Fauna

Martin Ellis - 21/06/2019

Python reticulatus (Schneider, 1801) (Chordata, Reptilia, Squamata, Pythonidae) (unpublished record)

Documents

[Topo] Tham Nam Lei 28/04/2019
Bibliography 21/06/2019

History

The cave was surveyed in February 2000 by the SMCC. The upstream sump was dived in November 2010 by Alex Fletcher. 2000-02-21 SMCC (D. Barrett, P. Dummer, M. Ellis, H. Jones) 2000-02-22 SMCC (D. Barrett, P. Dummer, M. Ellis, H. Jones, a monk) 2010-04-21 (M. Ellis, S. Hall, A. Greer, T. Bolger) 2010-11-26 (M. Ellis, A. Sorn-Ek, A. Fletcher, T. Bolger) Martin Ellis - 21/06/2019

Comments

Bats were seen flying in the passage just before the upstream sump. Shrimp and small, dark coloured fish were seen in the lake. In April 2010 small pale fish were seen in the pools.

Martin Ellis (21/06/2019)

Caves nearby

Distance (km)NameLength (m)Depth (m)
0.3Monk Big Chamber Cave [Tham Sing Toh] [CH0054]23816
0.6Cave CH0107 [CH0107]200
1.0Tham Tec - CH0052
1.1Rock Shelter CH0051 [CH0051]200
1.5Ban Tham Ngoen Resurgence Cave - CH00085
1.5Cave CH0102 [CH 0102]400
1.5Tham Huang Po [Tham Ban Ngoem] [Tham Wam Bo] [Grotte de la Source] [CH0007]2505
1.5Cave CH0006 - CH000630
1.7Cave CH0005 - CH0005