LABIT, Lumshnong (Kyrshiu 2015) (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A perennial stream of water issued (discharge on 16th January 2015 an estimated 5 ltr per second) from a south-facing resurgence cave entrance (up to 6 m wide and 4 m high) characterised by a horizontal roof that spans leaning cave walls exposing layered limestone lined with sturdy stalactite ribs (flowstone speleothems) and a both daylight-lit and spotlighted rimstone pool with wading-deep water illuminated by a ceiling window (about a metre across). An underground walk upstream along the solitary cave passage leads from the cave entrance initially ascending across rimstone dams and cascades, later across rounded pebbles (cave description) or gravitationally dislocated, angular boulders (cave plan) to an impenetrable continuation blocked with debris. ETYMOLOGY: The inscription Krem Labbit (Scherzer H 2015.02.10 Mss: Krem Labbit Kyrshiu) was said to have been seen on 16th January 2015 just inside the cave entrance on one or the other left (sic! unidentified orientation) wall. It is a ersion of -Krem Labit- or Bat Cave (note 1). The 2015 caving instructor's given name Kyrshiu (note 2), apparently a version of -kyrsiew- (note 3), is added to the cave name to distinguish this Krem Labit from the other caves near Lumshnong, which are locally also called Krem Labit. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2015.02.10: A productive spring of water with the inscription -Krem Labbit- on the left (unidentified orientation) at the entrance. Very spacious, initially a lake, later rimstone cascades (ascending on the usual angle, water-bearing), then pebbles. Vertical range ±25 m (+25 m, -0 m). One cannot proceed at the level of the water and there is no obvious access to the kilometre-long river cave. Explored to conclusion (note 4). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2015.04.01: A resurgence cave with an estimated flow of 0.5 litre per second on 16th January 2015. The entrance is 5 m wide and 4 m high. The cave visit commences with crossing a larger pool of water followed by sinter cascades. The cave stream issuesfrom debris. The walk along the cave passage ascends NNW across sand and stones made smooth and round by the action of water or sand and ends 127 m from the entrance in spite of the size which seems to be almost voluminous enough to house an aircraft (note 5). CAVE POTENTIAL -- prospects: The inaccessible continuation of the stream cave passage is buried under debris (note 6).ersion of -Krem Labit- or Bat Cave (note 1). The 2015 caving instructor's given name Kyrshiu (note 2), apparently a version of -kyrsiew- (note 3), is added to the cave name to distinguish this Krem Labit from the other caves near Lumshnong, which are locally also called Krem Labit. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2015.02.10: A productive spring of water with the inscription -Krem Labbit- on the left (unidentified orientation) at the entrance. Very spacious, initially a lake, later rimstone cascades (ascending on the usual angle, water-bearing), then pebbles. Vertical range ±25 m (+25 m, -0 m). One cannot proceed at the level of the water and there is no obvious access to the kilometre-long river cave. Explored to conclusion (note 4). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2015.04.01: A resurgence cave with an estimated flow of 0.5 litre per second on 16th January 2015. The entrance is 5 m wide and 4 m high. The cave visit commences with crossing a larger pool of water followed by sinter cascades. The cave stream issuesersion of -Krem Labit- or Bat Cave (note 1). The 2015 caving instructor's given name Kyrshiu (note 2), apparently a version of -kyrsiew- (note 3), is added to the cave name to distinguish this Krem Labit from the other caves near Lumshnong, which are locally also called Krem Labit. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2015.02.10: A productive spring of water with the inscription -Krem Labbit- on the left (unidentified orientation) at the entrance. Very spacious, initially a lake, later rimstone cascades (ascending on the usual angle, water-bearing), then pebbles. Vertical range ±25 m (+25 m, -0 m). One cannot proceed at the level of the water and there is no obvious access to the kilometre-long river cave. Explored to conclusion (note 4). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2015.04.01: A resurgence cave with an estimated flow of 0.5 litre per second on 16th January 2015. The entrance is 5 m wide and 4 m high. The cave visit commences with crossing a larger pool of water followed by sinter cascades. The cave stream issuesfrom debris. The walk along the cave passage ascends NNW across sand and stones made smooth and round by the action of water or sand and ends 127 m from the entrance in spite of the size which seems to be almost voluminous enough to house an aircraft (note 5). CAVE POTENTIAL -- prospects: The inaccessible continuation of the stream cave passage is buried under debris (note 6).