KHINGAR SUBROSION CAVE, 1st
28.816700,83.833300
Description
No local name is known for a subrosion cave (note 1) high up in the steep flank above the left (southern) bank of the Dzong Chu (Muktinath Valley). The cave (note 2) is fed from a catchment area on the approach to Khingar (note 3) but the cave entrance is visible only from the opposite (northern) bank of the Dzong Chu. The cave's subvertical floor of loose, rounded pebbles might prohibit closer inspection unless substantial tackle is applied, e.g. spare helmets and ice hockey player's padding.
NOTE 1: A couple of caves, ranging in size from very small to huge, occur close to the edge of the terraces bordered by the slopes and cliffs that drop down to the Dzong Chu and its tributaries. They originate from piping processes and subsequent gravitational dislocation of rubble: a) Surface water oozing through the poorly petrified conglomerate chemically removes the soluble content and/or cement of the conglomerate. b) Resurging water and gravitation transport insoluble particles to open cave mouths in the lower walls or at the bottom of cliffs. c) ascending caves, which decrease in size from the resurgence to the often blocked upper end, develop regressively. In a few cases the upstream end pops out on the surface of the terrace, forming sinkholes. NOTE 2: The longitudinal section is expected to resemble a bovine's curved horn, estimated to be some 100 m long and spanning a positive vertical range of about 70 m. NOTE 3: Just before reaching the village of Khingar the very shallow, scarcely detectable depression lies on the left hand side (north) of the main trail from Ekli Bhatti or Kagbeni to Muktinath.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | KHINGAR SUBROSION CAVE, 2nd | ||
| 1.8 | TSELE 'CAVE SYSTEM' | ||
| 2.5 | PHUDZELING (Troglodyte settlement of) | ||
| 4.3 | Chatain Gompa | ||
| 5.0 | BRAGPOCHE no. 1 (Cave on) | ||
| 5.0 | BRAGPOCHE no. 2 (Cave on) | ||
| 5.0 | BRAGPOCHE no. 3 (Cave on) | ||
| 5.0 | BRAGPOCHE no. 4 (Cave on) | ||
| 5.0 | BRAGPOCHE no. 5 (Cave on) |