SHALONG (Krem)
25.408300,92.611400
Location
In addition to the vaulted (6 m wide and up to 10 m high), north-east facing "main" cave entrance (note 1) of Krem Shalong proper, which, in February 2010 had been »looming behind the trees« (Sandford, E 2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 16th February), there is an other dozen (or so), more or less ignored cave entrances (note 2), which are known to give access to a complex of three-dimensionally ramified cave passages that represent the subterranean estuary of a generally northwards draining, in parts perennially active stream cave, which currently exsurges with Krem –>Enle to the epigean zone at the head of the »Enle Canyon« (25°24'46”N: 92°36'22”E), which joins the »Lymmoh Canyon« or Lymoh Canyon (25°24'48”N: 92°36'23”E), a tributary from the south to the orographically left bank of the Kopili River (26°15N': 92°10'E). The generally subhorizontal cave passages combine dry cave passages at relic cave levels (abandoned by flowing water) with apparently two distinct active stream cave passages in the vadose zone. The different levels have been interpreted to indicate a series of subsequent stages of vadose cave development in concordance with the local water table controlled by the Kopili River. Numerous tributary inlets to the »main drain passage suggest quite a large catchment area on the north-western flank of [an unspecified] the Khanar-slope« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc 16.2.2010). Some of the noticed cave entrances include 1. Krem Shalong near (±50 m) 25°24'30.0”N: 92°36'41.2”N: 794 m, NE-facing, vaulted (6 m wide, up to 10 m high). 2. Krem Enle near (±60 m) 25°24'33.5”N: 92°36'38.3”E: 790 m, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size. 3. First of three unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (S. J. Brooks, J.-P. Bartholeyns & Karma Choki Bhutia in: Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 16th February). 4. Second of three unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (S. J. Brooks, J.-P. Bartholeyns & Karma Choki Bhutia in: Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 16th February). 5. Third of three unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (S. J. Brooks, J.-P. Bartholeyns & Karma Choki Bhutia in: Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 16th February). 6. Shalong 15 m pitch unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke, Oana Chachula and Oliver Kube in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Saturday, 12th Febuary 2011). 7. Shalong 36 m pitch unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke, Oana Chachula and Oliver Kube in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Saturday, 12th Febuary 2011). 8. Sherpa Entrance unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (Simone Buchmann, Imogen Furlong and Barry J. Lawton in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 9. Pyramid Entrance 1 unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke and Henry B. Dawson in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 10. Pyramid Entrance 2 unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke and Henry B. Dawson in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 11. Pyramid Entrance 3 unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke and Henry B. Dawson in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 12. Fig Tree Entrance unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size »… was found at the base of a cliff entering an unstable boulder choke underneath a fig tree. This goes straight down, but it is unclear whereto« (Henry B. Dawson, Ksan Kupar "Ronnie" Mawlong abd David Cooke in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Friday 18th Feb 2011). EVALUATION 2011: The generally »subhorizontal cave system with apparently two active vadose streamways [is] intersected and overlain by relic cave passages. Multiple flood exurgence entrances and abandoned exurgence entrances in the downstream part of the system drain the Langlet area into Enle Canyon, Lymmoh Canyon and the Kopili River. Levels may have been influenced by lowering of the water table by downcutting of the nearby Kopili river. There is a central point (Wind in the Willows, survey station 50/20) from where cave passages fan out in various directions generally heading south-west. Noumerous inlets leading into a main drain passage suggest quite a large catchment area on the NW flank of the Khanar-slope« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). EVALUATION 2010: As far as known, the sub-horizontal complex of cave passages appears to consist of perennially active stream cave passages at one or several lower levels, which are intersected and overlain by relic cave passages at higher levels. In addition to cave entrances abandoned by flowing water, there are several seasonally active exsurgence cave entrances in the lower reaches of the cave, which seems to drain two catchment areas south-west and south-east of the generally north-east draining cave (modified after Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.05 dated "2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec-1.doc). The distinct cave levels can be interpreted to testify to different base levels of corrosion, which are either guided by uplift of the cave's host rock or by the incision of the Kopili River (note 3). ETYMOLOGY: The origin and meaning of the recorded cave name "Krem Shalong" has not yet been identified but was simply taken as granted as if it were the »name given by Bud Skhem [note 7], guide, met by nearby cowshed and mentioned by [unidentified, so-called] other locals in area« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.27 Mss Krem Shalong 2.4.2007)."Krem Shalong" as such is disputable insofar as it seems to translate as something along the lines of a rather bizarre »Towards Upwards Cave« because the standard Khasi preposition "sha" (note 4) means »to, towards« (SINGH, N 1906: 188) or »into, towards, to, in the direction of« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984 appendix C: lxviii) whilst the Khasi adjective "long" is short for "khmied long" (note 5) and means »upwards« (SINGH, N 1906: 118). Each of the three eith effectively or inadvertently created spelling aberrations »Krem Shalang« (note 7), »Krem Shallong« (note 8) and »Krem Shalons« (note 9) make no sense whatsoever (note 10). SITUATION: Arbenz, T (2010.03.31 cave distribution map: Pala_Ridge_4-10.pdf) indicates the location of the cave entrance to Krem Shalong at a spot which lies about 4.3 km in a direct line due east from the village of Pala (25°24'43”N: 92°34'09”E) and about 150 m in a direct line south or south-east above the orographically left bank of the Kopili River. Brooks, S J et al. (2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Mss: Overview 2010.doc) place the cave entrance to Krem Shalong simply »in the Kopili Area« and thus with a remarkable horizontal precision error of ±72000 m near 25°50'N: 92°42'30”E, the approximate centre of the Kopili basin (note 11). POSITION 1: 25°24’30.6”N: 92°36’39.7”E: 754 m (WGS84 2010.02.15 Brooks S J, GPS Garmin Etrex EPE ±7 m) has been recorded (note 12) at an estimated distance of 60 m on a bearing of 285° from the cave entrance to Krem Shalong but vertically 40 m lower down. POSITION 2: 25°24’30.0”N: 92°36’41.2”E: 794 m (WGS84) indicates a spot 60 m in a direct line on 115° and 40 m above (-18.9 m north + 40.5 m east + 40 m higher up) position 1. POSITION 3: For a short time Arbenz, T (2010.03.31 cave distribution map: Pala_Ridge_4-10.pdf) had indicated »Krem Shalong 794 m Audsley [sic!] 2010« near (circa ±0.3” = ±10 m) 25°24'30.5”N: 92°36'40.5”E but this was based on misinformation (note 13). APPROACH 2010 (modified after Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.12 dated "2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc revised from Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.05 dated "2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec-1.doc): Starting at the road junction (25°25’24.2”N: 92°35’32.7”E) in front (east) of the church (St. Joseph near 25°25’24.0”N: 92°35’32.9”E: circa 880 m) in the centre of the village of Kseh, follow the track south through the village down to what had been in February 2010 a relatively new water reservoir (at an unidentified GPS position), where the track ends and a »good footpath« continues south across woodland and rice fields, and traverses SSW a slope. After about a kilometre (20 minutes on foot) approximately south to south-west, the footpath meets a junction (25°25’5.9”N: 92°35’31.5”E) with the 4WD track that comes down from the road running from Kseh initially south and later west to the village of Pala (SE-cross-roads: 25°24'35”N: 92°34'16”E) -- an alternative approach pliable up to here with the help of a 4WD-vehicle. Continue east along the track down to a farming area (25°24’46”N: 92°36’10”E) where a footpath leads after 200 m down SE to the »Lymmoh Canyon« (Lymoh Canyon). Cross the ford (near ±50 m 25°24'46”N: 92°36'22”E) and stay on a footpath SSE to to cross a hill in woodland into the »Enle Canyon« (Phud Enle? Phud Ïing Lieh?). Cross the canyon and follow it upstream south-east (the path is not very distinct) until the canyon, upon reaching the flat, southern rim of a relatively large doline, changes to a riverbed that had been dry in February 2010. To reach the cliff base on the north-west side of the doline, the most feasible route is upstream along the river bed, and the final approach to the 6 m wide and 10 m high cave entrance to Krem Shalong involves scrambling up a footpath for about 150 m. From the GPS position 25°24’30.6”N: 92°36’39.7”E, the cave entrance lies 60 m on a bearing of 115° (ESE) but 40 m higher up (note 14). In February 2010, the cave entrance to Krem Shalong had been reached by travelling from nowhere special for a distance that had been covered by a »two and half hours walk« -- probably there and back again (Anonymous et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 17th February). It is only when we come to Sandford, E (2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 17th February) that we told that »Krem Shalong was around 2.5 hours walk from [an unidentified] camp, but well worth it when we saw the shadow of the entrance looming behind the trees.« APPROACH 2011a: One alternative route to the cave entrance to Krem Shalong from the village of Kseh (St. Joseph church near 25°25’24.0”N: 92°35’32.9”E: circa 880 m) runs via the jetty (25°25'49.1”N: 92°36'15.1”E: 717 m), which lies on the orographically left (locally western) bank of the Kopili River (26°15'N: 92°10'E) and about 1.5 km in a direct line ESE from the village, where you may ask a briew lieng (in short: 'riewlieng; boatman) to paddle you »about 45 mins« upstream (south) to the mouth of the »Lymoh Canyon« (Lymoh Canyon 25°24'58”N: 92°36'22”E). Near 25°24'40”N: 92°36'24”E and »about 200 m into the canyon, a footpath leads to the farm of Bud Shkem [sic! Bud Skhem 25°24'43”N: 92°36'35”E] from where a footpath leads straight into Enle Canyon (see above)« (after Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc 16.2.2010; Arbenz, T 2010.03.31 cave distribution map: Pala_Ridge_4-10.pdf). APPROACH 2011b: Another alternative is to hire a car at Shillong and to hire a driver who drives you from Kseh »along the road to Pala. Half way along the distance to the “Bus Stop Junction" at the base of the last incline, a new road forks off towards the Kopili. It is large enough to let a small truck pass. The road ends currently (Feb 2011) at the edge of Lymoh Canyon where the construction of a motorable bridge is in progress. Across the bridge the same footpath to Bud Shkem’s [sic! qua: Bud Skhem's] farm is reached. Proceed as above« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). GPS TRACK (Brown M W 15.2.2010 WGS84, GPS Garmin etrex): 25°25'24.2”N: 92°35'32.7”E church, Kseh 25°24'48.8”N: 92°35'47.1”E cowshed 25°24'44.3”N: 92°36'19.2”E path crosses Lymmoh Canyon 25°25'05.9”N: 92°35'31.5”E junction on Pala Kseh road 25°24'45.8”N: 92°35'47.1”E cowshed path meets jeep track 25°24'50.0”N: 92°35'24.3”E jeep track meets road 25°24'43.5”N: 92°36'29.1”E path 25°24'29.6”N: 92°36'40.8”E ca. 60 m short of Krem Shalong entrance. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2012: »… streams flowing off the Kopili Shales and entering caves include Krem Shalong, Krem Labit Mynlin [Krem –>Labet, Kseh], Pala Shaft [i.e. –>Pala Pot Boycott 2008], Krem Rucha, some side inlets to Krem Khung and … caves in the Lymmoh Canyon [i.e. –>Lymoh Canyon Cave]« (Tringham, M E in ARBENZ, T 2012: 38). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2011.03.05: »The main entrance is of large, tunnel-shaped size, w6m x h10m, facing north-west, it lies 40 m above the doline floor in a distinct cliff face. General Cave Description (Thomas Arbenz, Henry Dawson): The front part, explored till the end of February 2010, is quite complicated. It can be described as having similarities to a river delta but the different branches lie on three to for different levels. The passages often overlay, intersect or join each other. The passages in the lower levels are active stream ways, sometimes in narrow meanders but ever so often in creek- and river passages with false floor ceilings. Sometimes the way on leads through up to four different levels: From active, pebble strewn river passage up into intermediate levels, built by huge breakdown boulders and up again into beautifully decorated relic passage. At a certain point (stn. 50/20) most of the branches meet in the roundish cauldron-like ”Wind in the Willows” chamber. Here three passages lead on to SW. The main drain appears to have been reached at stn. 50/20. Three passages lead away from this point, one of which is the main drain, well washed and of walking to stooping size. The other two are of walking to stooping size getting lower to crawling bits. They are muddy but well decorated and bear a lot of flood debris.The three passages all join at stn.100/18 from where the various incoming passages cover a larger catchment area. The rather nasty “Puree’s Revenge” passage (awful, smelly and muddy place) leads into a maze of old, dry and occasionally wet passages with some excellent gypsum formations. Also a passage with three impressive avens (IFIF Chamber) of exceptional beauty (wall formations) leads on, stressing the general SW direction of the cave. The mayor part of the inlets end in too tight muddy chokes. One leads to the surface opening a further entrance in a dry riverbed. The main drag ends spectacularly: the passage finds its conclusion in a high stunningly decorated chamber with “The Final Curtain”, an impressive 24 m high calcite draperie blocking the way on. Detailed Cave Description (Mark Brown): Impressive “main” Entrance 10m x 6m relic passage at top of wooded slope in cliff recess. First dusty floored passage meets “Burnt Bamboo” T-junction after 70 m. Right (SW) leads to “Helter Skelter” passage, where a “bold” step over a 7m drop to the passage below leads to a climb down and back under the bold step into the passage. Downstream along the 5mx6m “Helter Skelter” passage floored with some gours and cobbles leads to a 7m wide chamber (White Rabbit Chamber) with several ways on. These are all routes through breakdown to emerge in different parts of the edge of the 6 m wide “First Day passage”. First day passage has an upper level, much of which has a “false floor” of calcited breakdown (ending in chokes), a mid level (often just walking sized routes through boulders) and a lower level which takes the active streamway. The lower level emerges from an upstream sump and disappears downstream again after about 120 m in another sump. Some deep pools have to be swum to follow this stream. The stream reappears in the Krem Enle entrance. A complex series of interconnecting passages is found around the lower entrance area. At the base of the main entrance slope is “Tom’s” walking size entrance which leads to a T-junction with the second active stream passage. Downstream feeds into the Enle streamway. Upstream splashing through a shapely 2mx5m high passage meets a point where Helter Skelter passage joins at high level; “bridging” 6 m up flowstone gives access to this. Continuing upstream the passage enlarges and two high level passages are passed. The first is an oxbow, the second, speleothem-rich “Last Day Passage” leads above a false floor of boulders in the roof.After 190 m of mainly 3m x 5m dimensions the main passage meets “Wind in the Willows” junction. Here there appears to be a main upstream continuation (draughting strongly), a high level relic passage, and downstream continuation. None of which have been explored (March 2010)« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc 16.2.2010). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2010.06.05 modified after Mark W. Brown in Arbenz & Brown (2010.06.05 dated "2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec-1.doc): An about 6 m wide and up to an estimated 10 m high cave entrance in a recess of a cliff at the top of a forest covered slope gives access to cave passage with a dusty floor which leads after some 70 m to the so-called “Burnt Bamboo T-junction" where the cave passage south-west (in cases equivalent to some self centered person's right-hand side) was christened Helter Skelter --probably because it was understood to lead to a fully incomprehensible »bold Step over a 7 m drop to the passage below leads to a climb down and back under the bold step into the passage« (sic!). In one way or the other, the Helter Skelter Passage is on average either 5 m wide and 6 m high or 5 m high and 6 m wide, features a cave floor characterised not only by pebbles but also by over-reduced »gours« which can be interpreted either as gour dams or, but this remains unknowable, as gour pools, and eventually leads to an about 7 m wide White Rabbit Chamber without identified height and length which, however, features several ways on, which all allow to select one or the other of a multiple choice of routes through breakdown and emerge at different places in the 6 m wide First Day Passage, which has an upper level - much of which has a “false floor” of calcited breakdown (leading to chokes), a mid level (often just walking sized routes through boulders) and a lower level, which drains the active streamway. The lower level emerges from an upstream sump and disappears downstream again after about 120 m in another sump. Some relatively deep water pools of unknown depth have to be swum to follow this stream that eventually reappears in the Krem Enle entrance. A complex series of interconnecting passages is found around the lower entrance area. At the base of the main entrance slope is a walking-sized cave entrance, which leads to a T-junction with the second active stream passage. The downstream part feeds into the Enle streamway, while splashing upstream through a shapely, on average 2 m and 5 m high cave passage, meets a point where the Helter Skelter Passage joins at a relatively high level. At one point or another, “bridging” 6 m up flowstone gives access to this or that. Continuing upstream, the cave passage becomes larger in size and passes two relatively high-level cave passages. The first is a bypass and the second, a speleothem-rich Last Day Passage, leads, literally quoted, »above a false floor of boulders in the roof« (sic!). After 190 m the mainly either 3 m wide and 5 m high or, but this remains unknowable, 5 m wide or 6 m high main cave passage meets the Wind-in-the-Willows Junction. Here there appears to be a main upstream continuation (draughting strongly), a high level relic passage, and downstream continuation. None of which have been explored during February 2010
NOTE 1: ka wah (Khasi, noun) a stream, a river (SINGH, N 1906: 244); a mountain stream (ALLEN, W J 1858: 61), binomial: ka wah - ka um (SINGH, N 1906: 244). long (Khasi, verb) is, to exist, to become (SINGH, N 1906: 118); to be, become, betide (SINGH, N 1920: 39, 40, 44). u máw long (Khasi, noun) a big stone or rock (SINGH, N 1906: 130); crag, rock (SINGH, N 1920: 100, 444).u soh long (Khasi, noun), a lemon (SINGH, N 1906: 208; BAZELY 1992: 34). NOTE 2: Wahlong, literally: Big Stream (of water), is the same as »Wolong« (Major Bivar in: MEDLICOTT, H B 1865: 391 table) and »Wullong« (MEDLICOTT, H B 1865: 421). In November 1995 I recorded at a populated place called Wahlong the GPS position (±150 m) 25°12'29”N: 91°43'25”E : circa (±200 m) 800 m asl (WGS84 modified from 25°12'27”N: 91°43'35”E Everest 1830, Gebauer, H D undated 1995 November unstable 4-channel GPS Garmin 4) where the Survey of India sheets 78-O/12 indicate a village called »Mawthangsokkhyllum« (edition 1912) or »Mawthangsok Khyllum« (edition 1937), apparently a contraction of "maw" (stone) + "thang" (to burn, deflagrate, enkindle, fire, light) + "soh khyllum" »a sour fruit resembling a guava« (SINGH, N 1906: 207).
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: Not only the burnt remnants of »bamboo flares« (in the sense of torches) but also a wooden scaling pole, which has been put up to facilitate access to a cave passage above a certain »first Burnt Bamboo” T-Junction« (Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.05 "dated 2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec-1.doc; Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 dated "16.2.2010" updated "5thMarch 2011" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc), testify to indigenous cave explorers having been familiar with the cave since time immemorial (note 17 again). 2010.02.15, trip 1: »Bud Shkem [sic! Bud Skhem], a local farmer« at home near N25°24’43”: E092°36’36” (WGS84), guided Mark W. Brown, Alys Mendus, Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns, Vikrant Shukla and Amulya Prasad Parihar to the cave entrance of »Krem Shalong« where they commenced surveying the first 350 m of one »First Day Passage« (Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.05 Mss dated 2.4.2007 [sic!]: Krem Shalong). According to Anonymous et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc), however, one of the outsiders proudly announces to have »… enlisted help from a local farmer whence they were taken to the upstream entrance of Krem Enle and bumped into the survey team. Henceforth they asked for more caves [more likely: more cave entrances] and were taken up to Krem Shalong, a [relatively] large cave entrance [leading to a] dry, relic passage. They surveyed 350 m in [relatively] large, [cartoon?] drafting passage.« 2010.02.16, trip 2: Alys Mendus, Angela Arbenz, Prakash Bishnoi and Pankaj Rai accumulated 113 m of lengthwise measured distances in »the eastern branch of [the] First Day Passage to a boulder choke« (Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.05 Mss). According to Anonymous et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc), they »… surveyed 113 m on the Eastern branch of “First Day Passage” passing two shafts until a boulder choke ended the passage« when, of course, the »boulder choke« did not end the cave passage but the foreigner's intrusion while the passage continues blocked with boulders. 2010.02.16, trip 3: On the same day, Simon J. Brooks, Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns and Karma Choki Bhutia »… continued the survey of the main dry gallery. They cross three entrances. At the end of the dry gallery they went a little down [and?] found a change in the [unspecified] quality of the limestone and arrived finally in drafty galleries at the water level« (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc 16th February). According to Arbenz & Brown (2010.06.05 Mss), they simply »continued the survey NW in First Day Passage to another entrance and surveyed passages around this.« 2010.02.17, trip 4: Hellen Brooke, Angela Arbenz, Peter Ludwig and Vikram Singh Kirola (Leading Seaman) »… explored Krem Shalons [sic!] and surveyed side passages with many leads« (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc 17th February). According to Sandford, E (2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 17th February), »Krem Shalong was around 2.5 hours walk from camp, but well worth it when we saw the shadow of the entrance looming behind the trees. Did a shortish trip as we knew we had a fair walk back and got bearings and surveyed a side passage.« According to Arbenz & Brown (2010.06.05 Mss), »H. Brooke, A. Arbenz, P. Ludwig and V. Singh surveyed [parts of] the main streamway upstream from Helter Skelter Passage.« 2010.02.17, trip 5: On the same day, Estelle Sandford, Derek Pettiglio, Erfan Fekri, and Prakash Bishnoi (Leading Seaman) »… went to Krem Shalons [sic!] explored from station 4/1 in the area Simon was in yesterday. 6 series goes underneath 1 series and lots of ongoing leads in all directions« (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc). According to Arbenz, T & Brown, M W (2010.06.05 Mss), »E. Sandford, D. Pettiglio, P. Rai and E. Fekri surveyed on from stn 4/1 establishing several leads for further exploration.« 2010.02.19, trip 6: Mark W. Brown, Tom Chapman and Andy Chapman »… renumbered some duplicated series numbers in the cave then surveyed one of Simon’s leads which popped out in a 10 m wide stream passage … and surveyed another side passage to another entrance and boulder choke from yesterday turned out to be the start of the Bouldermort Chamber (approximately 10 m x 100 m). Higher level relic passage is intersected. There are many ways on« (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc). Arbenz, T & Brown, M W (2010.06.05 Mss): »M. Brown, T. Chapman, S. Payne and A. Chapman relabelled duplicated station numbers and surveyed leads into a junction with a 9 m wide stream [cave] passage.« 2010.02.20, trip 7: Fraser E Simpson, Franklyn "Toki" Tokiwayo Dkhar, Vikrant Shukla and Phrang Kupar “Teddy” Mawlong took photographs (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc). Arbenz, T & Brown, M W (2010.06.05 Mss): »F. Simpson, T. Mawlong, V. Shukla, took fotos [sic!]…« or photographs (in short: photos) from the cave and took them back home. 2010.02.20, trip 8: Mark W. Brown, Tom Chapman and Sarah Louise Payne »linked side passages from the lower entrances connecting into Krem Enle (Ross and Henry’s). They then surveyed the wet passage below the main entrance to the junction with Helter Skelter, [the cave] passage« (Brown, M W & Arbenz, T (2010.06.05 Mss). According to Anonymous et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc), they simply »surveyed 189 m of [cave] passage in the downstream section of the cave.« 2010.02.20, trip 9: Simon J. Brooks and Roman Hapka »surveyed 129 m of swimming passage in one stream [cave] passage found the previous day« (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc). According to Arbenz, T & Brown, M W (2010.06.05 Mss), »R. Hapka and S. Brooks surveyed 129 m of swimming in the Enle River Passage.« 2010.02.21, trip 10: Mark W. Brown, Estelle Sandford and Vikrant Shukla »surveyed the complex area taken by the water below [the] First Day Passage (possibly encountering a mystery streamway) and completed the survey N of [the] Helter Skelter Junction« (Arbenz, T & Brown, M W 2010.06.05 Mss). Sandford, E (2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 21st February) confirms having gone »back into Krem Shalong with Mark B and Vikrant surveying side passages around the White Rabbit area. [A] better walking route had been found to get to and from the cave since my previous trip.« Anonymous et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 21st February) ignore this trip. 2010.02.22, trip 11: Alys Mendus, Mark W. Brown and Estelle Sandford »surveyed a side loop off the main passage, then a high level passage that ended in [sic! qua: that gives access to] a choke above the main passage near [the] Wind in the Willows junction« or Wind in the Willows Chamber (Arbenz, T & Brown, M W 2010.06.05 Mss) if not Wind in the Wellies Chamber. Anonymous et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc) confirm that they »… followed the upper streamway team surveying the side passages. They surveyed 174 m until catching up with the others in Wind in the Willows Chamber.« Sandford, E (2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 22nd February): »Krem Shalong again for the last full days caving. Two teams with Alys, Mark B and me in one team doing side passages while Thomas and co were doing the main passage using the DistoX with the PDA. We found a fairly major crossroads with massive ongoing leads and decided that was the best place to walk away and leave it for another year! Major party night as no caving planned for the next day!« 2010.02.22, trip 12: Thomas Arbenz, Henry B. Dawson, Tom Chapman, Leila Esfandiary, and Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns (without Sarah Louise Payne) »surveyed along the main passage to a cauldron-like chamber named “Wind in the Willows”. They left three ongoing leads open for further exploration« (Arbenz, T & Brown, M W 2010.06.05 Mss). According to Anonymous et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc), however, it were Thomas Arbenz, Henry B. Dawson, Leila Esfandiary, Sarah Louise Payne, Tom Chapman, and a bizarre »John Pierre« (sic! qua: Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns), who formed not only an »… upper streamway team …« (Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc) but also successfully left a draughting upstream passage for next year. 2010.02.23, no trip: »Aside from many people nursing some serious hangovers, today was spent washing, cleaning and sorting out kit, plus ensuring all surveys were inputted onto the computers and drawn up properly … Imo hung over and one of our toilets« (Sandford, E 2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 23rd February). 2011.02.09, trip 13: Henry B. Dawson, Simone Buchmann and Oana Chachula »… took 2.5 hours to find the cave entrance, and they became disorientated in the cave, only finding the main lead after two hours, by which time they needed to return to camp. It took them 1.5 hours to walk back to camp« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 9th February 2011, Wednesday). 2011.02.10, trip 14: Henry B. Dawson, Angela Arbenz, Simone Buchmann, Oana Chachula and Sawdamut Kharbuki »surveyed along the NW passage (Alley of the Kings) to Scarab Junction« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). Arbenz, T. et al. (2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 10th February 2011, Thursday) narrates how »Oana, Simone, Angela, Henry and Saw … went by boat, leaving at 10h30. The local people, took them in two canoes on the Kopilli River, it took 3/4 hour. Manuel [Ruedi] joined the team to learn where the cave was, and marked the way back using his GPS; the two locals showed them a quicker route to the entrance where they saw a snake. It took about 30 min to the cave entrance on foot. They started surveying at the survey marker 50/20, in the Alley of the Kings, a dry passage to north-west, with a muddy floor and flood debris. They saw a lot of wildlife. These were mainly invertebrates, a small frog and a few bats (Rhinolophidae). They continued to a T-Junction (Scarab Junction) and turned west. A good draught can be felt here. The passage continued in the same style with cobbles on the floor.« 2011.02.11, trip 15: Henry B. Dawson, Angela Arbenz and Simone Buchmann »two leads off stn 50/20« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Henry, Simone, and Angela started surveying at point 51/20. They followed some muddy passages to a boulder choke that seems to take floodwater from the surface. This was the end of [proceeding] the passage. The passage was small and well decorated. The passage had wildlife including spiders and a snail. Near the end was the smell of decaying organic matter. They then returned to survey marker 51/20 (Wind in the Willows). They started surveying the other way on (south-east). This was a muddy crawling passage with lots of decoration (Coughing Crawl) 2/3rds of the party were coughing away. There was some accumulation of crystals on the floor and wall. They finished [sic! qua: gave up] surveying near a small chamber where mud and sand had filled the passage to near the formations coming down from the roof. The way on was a side passage heading south-west and continues in a small and rather crappy nature« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Friday, 11th Febuary 2011). 2011.02.11, trip 16: David Cooke, Oana Chachula and Sawdamut Kharbuki: »Main aquatic lead along (Alley of Cleopatra)« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Cookie, Sawdamut and Oana surveyed a wet upstream lead from station 50/20 that started with a small lake and proceeded to the Alley of Cleopatra, a clean washed, tunnel-shaped 2 m to 3 m high and 5 m wide gallery. The water level was wading and occasionally out of depth. They observed a large bat of microchiroptera as Ia Io, three fish and a crayfish. A strong, chilling draught [air current] was felt in this cave passage« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc: Friday, 11th Febuary 2011). 2011.02.12, trip 17: Manuel Ruedi, Jayant Biswas, Brian D. Kharpran Daly and Peter Ludwig »on bat catching mission« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Nicky entertained the local children with a nail and beauty salon before joining Manuel, Jiyant [sic!], Brian and Peter on the dug-outs going up river to Krem Shallong [sic!] to catch bats« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Saturday, 12th Febuary 2011). 2011.02.12, trip 18: David Cooke, Oana Chachula and Oliver Kube »continued along Alley of Cleopatra to IfIf Chamber« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). In other words, »Oana, Cookie, Oliver started to survey from point 100/12 in the Alley of Cleopatra to the complex Pyramid Junction and followed the south-trending passage to a pitch of 15 m to an [unidentified cave] entrance. Returning to the Pyramid Junction, they surveyed the westerly passage to a circular chamber with a calcite flow in the middle and [cave] passages to the north and south. Following the passage to the north, they soon met the other team in the 35 m high IFIF chamber. Following the passage to the south, a bedding plane cave passage was crawled to a double high aven (36 m) with day light visible at the top. The passage [of time?] continues« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Saturday, 12th Febuary 2011). 2011.02.12, trip 19: Simone Buchmann, Cdr. Vijay Chhikara and Barry J. Lawton surveyed a »dry cave passage SW leading to IfIf Chamber« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »The other team in Krem Shallong [sic!], comprising Simone, Barry, and Vijay took on the upper dry passage. The going was a little tough and hence the surveying a mite slow. The going was mostly crawling with Barry leading the way and Vijay on the instruments. Simone handled the book. The passage followed a general SW direction surprisingly ending in [sic! qua: led to] a 36 m high IFIF chamber named by the team. The chamber was surveyed with a new series 54. The team ended the survey at the point 53/21 connecting it to 101/5 and the IFIF chamber series 54 to station 101/6« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Saturday, 12th Febuary 2011). 2011.02.13, trip 20: Oliver Kube, Nicola Bayley and Henry B. Dawson »surveyed along Chills and Thrills to IfIf Chamber« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Oliver, Henry, Nicky surveyed upstream in Krem Shalong some pleasant streamway, which ended in [sic! qua: led to] Chills and Thrills, a sump. Then some high level dry passages were detected. One way linked through to a rather fine 36 m high aven, which had been surveyed yesterday. In the other direction, the passage continued in crawling style over cobbles to a junction. One way had a strong cold draught, but was smelly organic mud and the other was a sauna. Both are ongoing« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Sunday, 13th February). 2011.02.13, trip 21: Simone Buchmann, Barry J. Lawton, Cdr. Vijay Chhikara and Sawdamut Kharbuki »surveyed from junction s51 and s101 to Star Chamber as well as different side leads to stop in a boulder choke in Kohinoor Chamber« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Simone, Barry, Vijay and Saw … took up on the dry passage and continued the survey from the junction of series 53 and 101, starting a new series numbered 55. This was a crawl-way passage and was quite comfortable to proceed in a north-easterly direction for 23 m before opening into the wide Star Chamber. A little further in a south-easterly direction the passage ended in [sic!qua: led to] a pitch connecting the passage to the main stream way below (point 100/15). The team then turned back to a side passage before the IFIF Chamber and started the series 56 at point 53/15. This passage had a sandy floor and two avens: One at point 56/4 and the other at the end (56/10). The first aven was not climbed and leaves a question mark. The Kohinoor Chamber, an aven at point 56/10, about 8 m high, surrounded by boulder chokes was free-climbed and appears to have an opening to another passage near the top which would need a little rigging to be explored safely. Saw, who was the cameraman, unfortunately confused up his bag with Barry’s and left the camera behind« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 13th February, Sunday). 2011.02.14, trip 22: Henry B. Dawson, Barry J. Lawton, Oliver Kube: »Puree’s Revenge Crawl and side leads« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Barry, Oliver and Henry … took the muddy passage and continued the survey from series 105. This was a quite uncomfortable, muddy 100 m crawl into a southerly direction opening into a still small rift. A little further, the cave passage opened up to expose bigger passages, which led not only to three 20 m to 30 m high avens but also to [unspecified] further leads. The team surveyed up one of the leads to a boulder choke. The time passed quickly and a hasty trip back to the boat in full caving gear was necessary. A cold trip back to camp« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 14th February, Monday). 2011.02.17, trip 23: Simone Buchmann, Imogen Furlong and Barry J. Lawton visited parts of the »downstream from 50/20 to Sherpa entrance« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Imogen, Barry and Simone formed a party taking the downstream lead in Krem Shalong. Surveying from 50/20, the passage (series 200) links back into series 50 near around stn. 50/11. Then they started ticking off the question marks on the way back to the entrance. They were able to eliminate several as not possible to enter, and found (series 203) Sherpa Entrance, a previously unknown cave entrance« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 2011.02.17, trip 24: On the same day, Henry B. Dawson and David Cooke visited »Pyramid Junction and Riverbed entrance(s). Surface exploration« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Cookie and Henry continued into the cave to take a lead running from Pyramid Junction (stn. 100/18). This almost immediately led to a [cave] entrance (the survey leg 150 was taken from this entrance back into the cave) and re-entered Pyramid Chamber via a lead up a short climb. This exit was climbed to find a riverbed about 10 m wide. This terminates here with the three [cave] entrances coming into Pyramid Junction and taking the whole flow of the river during monsoon. This needs to be surveyed. Cookie and Henry put together a theory that there were a number of sink points in the riverbed forming the various avens that punctuate the cave. If surveyed, the riverbed hopefully will tie into the avens on the survey. On their return to the main entrance they discovered at least two thunderstorms outside. They quick-marched to the ridge and were offered shelter in the hut of a local farmer. The rain abated somewhat and they boated back to camp wet, cold and shivering. Nevertheless, it was a superb day caving« (Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Thursday 17th Feb 2011). 2011.02.18, trip 25: Henry B. Dawson, David Cooke and Ksan Kupar "Ronnie" Mawlong enjoyed »surface exploring in riverbed above Shallong« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). »Henry, Ronnie and Cookie entered Krem Shalong with the primary aim of charting the path of a streambed sinking into the cave near stn.100/18. This was achieved and a great deal more was learned about the hydrology and geology of the area. The streambed runs south-south-west and meets numerous other streambeds running into it. The route back to the resurgence was traced above ground. The doline feeding water to the Shalong cave is quite considerable in [matters of unidentified] size. On the way around a new entrance was found at the base of a cliff entering an unstable boulder choke underneath a fig tree. This goes straight down, but it is unclear whereto. Part way up the streambed flowing water was found. This sinks in the streambed. No underground passages were surveyed. I