BHALE ODAR
28.400000,83.700000
Description
A relatively small sized cave entrance in laminated rock (schist? gneiss?) leading to a 5 m long cave noted by Claude Chabert (1996.11.15 Mss) at some distance »further up [from the –>Bhakre Odar nos. 1 to 3 towards Ghorepani] is Bhale Odar, the rock shelter you indicated in 1994. Beyond the river, which seems a logical "border", the cave might be on Nagetati [Nangetanti, Nangethati, Nangethanti] territory. It is a real cave. In 1996, the place was empty and clean: no dwellers and houses in front of the cave.« SITUATION: Behind one of the first houses of (Naya) Banthanti (Bantati, Bantanti, Banthati, etc., meaning 'forest tea-stall'), and on the right hand side when ascending along the Burungdi Khola from Birethanti to Ghorepani: When the trail has just crossed the second bridge and one enters the booming hamlet. The trail beyond levels into the Rhododendron forest.
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1990.03.16: H. D. Gebauer found the entrance gated by a crude construction of branches. Pious chants issued from a hermit who had taken a busy 'refuge' at the side of the most heavily travelled tourist routes in Nepal: exploration was postponed. 1991, 1992, 1993: H. D. Gebauer found the site occupied by a stack of fire wood and access was blocked. 1994 March: Claude Chabert (1994.04.21 Mss) and Nicki Boullier explored: »What you call "Banthati Cave" seems to be a rocks helter at Nangethati. We didn't check it …« 1996.04.27: Claude Chabert, assisted by Bhakta Pun, mapped to BCRA-grade 5b: »the shelter near Nangethati is a real cave [Chabert 1996.09.03 Mss].«
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | BAKHRE ODAR | ||
| 2.5 | BAKHRE ODAR 2 | ||
| 2.5 | BAKHRE ODAR 3 | ||
| 9.8 | BHAISHIRI (Cave at) | ||
| 9.8 | BHAISHIRI SHELTER | ||
| 9.8 | BHAISHIRI SHELTER 2 | ||
| 12.3 | PATHLIKET, 1st (Cave at) | ||
| 12.3 | PATHLIKET, 2nd (Cave at) | ||
| 12.3 | THONRO BARAHA GUFA |