WANOK CHIRING

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A screen of karst pillars obliterates the north-west facing cave entrance and sesonal insurgence which represents one of the garland of sinks at the margin of the –>Waikutaran (Kutabram) depression. SITUATION: At the edge of the limestone outcrop north-west of Chibak and about 500 m north of –>Rongbaljong. CAVE DESCRIPTION (note 1): A doline secreted away in the jungle gives access to a large chamber, partly lit by a daylight aven, which steeply descends south-west across calcite (speleothem) covered boulders to alluvial soil and a dark, deep lake about 15 by 20 m in size. The dubious pleasure of swimming gains, on the right-hand side, a water-filled, 20 m long rift with a remarkable colony of imposing giant-crab spiders (Heteropoda). It soothes to be yet unaware of their pool-skating ability. CAVE LIFE: In mid February there are well fed and egg cocoon bearing Heteropoda.A screen of karst pillars obliterates the north-west facing cave entrance and sesonal insurgence which represents one of the garland of sinks at the margin of the –>Waikutaran (Kutabram) depression. SITUATION: At the edge of the limestone outcrop north-west of Chibak and about 500 m north of –>Rongbaljong. CAVE DESCRIPTION (note 1): A doline secreted away in the jungle gives access to a large chamber, partly lit by a daylight aven, which steeply descends south-west across calcite (speleothem) covered boulders to alluvial soil and a dark, deep lake about 15 by 20 m in size. The dubious pleasure of swimming gains, on the right-hand side, a water-filled, 20 m long rift with a remarkable colony of imposing giant-crab spiders (Heteropoda). It soothes to be yet unaware of their pool-skating ability. CAVE LIFE: In mid February there are well fed and egg cocoon bearing Heteropoda.