KHLIEH WAH SHYRTONG (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

An estimated 2.5 m by 2 m wide cave entrance at the base of a sandstone cliff gave the impression to descend an estimated 10 m deep down into a fully unexplored pothole in what in what appeared to be a kind of limestone (note 1).ETYMOLOGY: No specific cae name has been identified for this pothole which was obviously named Cave [at the] Head [of the] Shyrtong Stream after its location at the -khlieh- or head of a -wah- or stream, watercourse, and valley specified by -u shyrtong- (Khasi, noun), a crest (of a fowl or bird) (SINGH, N 1906: 201). SITUATION: Above the southern bank of Shyrtong river (the Mynkre of the maps), and some 5.8 km on bearing 040° from Thangskai (25°11'45”N: 92°22'35“E) village and 4.0 km east (090°) of Mynkre village, both south of Khliehriat on the NH44 between Jowai and Sonapur. Best approached from Mynkre as the distance is shorter and the trail -- at least the first three kilometres -- is much easier. The estimated 2.5 m by 2 m wide cave entrance (note 2) n limestone lies at the base of a circa 9 m high sandstone cliff, which is situated on the valley side overlooking the Shyrtong river in the north-east. CAVE DESCRIPTION: It is possible to descend 3 m down to a ledge of fallen rocks from where henryphobically talented pothole watchers can look at the visible part of a shaft (fluted, 2 m in diameter) which was thought to descend for at least a further 10 m and offers the chance to retreat from the sight of loose looking rocks present (Brooks, S J 2000.02.20 Mss). TACKLE: At least 20 m of rope or ladder and belays are necessary to negotiate the entrance shaft. PROSPECTS: The pothole drops into limestone under a sandstone caprock. CAVE CLIMATE: Brooks, S J (2000.02.20 Mss) recorded having noticed on 20th February 2000 at an unspecified time the apparent presence of no draught.n limestone lies at the base of a circa 9 m high sandstone cliff, which is situated on the valley side overlooking the Shyrtong river in the north-east. CAVE DESCRIPTION: It is possible to descend 3 m down to a ledge of fallen rocks from where henryphobically talented pothole watchers can look at the visible part of a shaft (fluted, 2 m in diameter) which was thought to descend for at least a further 10 m and offers the chance to retreat from the sight of loose looking rocks present (Brooks, S J 2000.02.20 Mss). TACKLE: At least 20 m of rope or ladder and belays are necessary to negotiate the entrance shaft. PROSPECTS: The pothole drops into limestone under a sandstone caprock. CAVE CLIMATE: Brooks, S J (2000.02.20 Mss) recorded having noticed on 20th February 2000 at an unspecified time the apparent presence of no draught.