SA PYIANG (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A perennial insurgence cave called Krem Sapiang consists of a relatively small sink nearly obscured by tree roots. [A relatively] Low wet passage leads to [a relatively] small muddy stal [speleothems, with tree roots through stalactites] chamber and [upon entering on the right-hand side] up to 2nd entrance. Left leads to low duck or sump. … Probably a feeder for entrance series of Krem Tyngheng (Boycott 2004.02.28 Mss: Krem Sapiang). ETYMOLOGY: Little doubt remains that the recorded cave name Krem Sapiang (Boycott 2004.02.28 Mss) is a corruption of -Krem Sa Pyiang- where the Khasi word ”sa” indicates not only the future (GURDON 1906: 209) but is also used as an adverb with verbs in the past tense (note 1) while the Khasi verb ”p'ang” is a short form of ”pyang” and means to straddle (SINGH, N 1906: 148). Hence, -Krem Sa Pyiang- can be liberally translated as Crawl Cave (or so). SITUATION: At an estimated walking distance of 100 m from Krem Hawliehkor near the village of Samasi (note )APPROACH: Boycott (2004.02.28 Mss: Krem Hawliehkor) provides an apparently excellent cave access description, complete with fragments reflecting GPS positions read at a selection of crucial waypoints. To retrace these directions, however, will be difficult because the forwarded GPS positions result in a madly zigzagging tour: Upon leaving From Samasi IB (N25°24'01.6”: E092°32°57.4” unspecified precision error, WGS84, A. Boycott 2004.02, GPS Garmin 12XL) turn left [sic! into an unknowable direction] on road past playing fields with church [without GPS position] on left. At point N25° [without N-minutes, perhaps: 24'?] 11.0”: E092°33'00.8” turn right [sic!] along track past house [without GPS position]. Turn left [sic!] immediately down valley to Shaktiman track past house [without GPS position]. Turn right [sic!] and follow ridge track [in an unspecified direction] to point N25°24'13.8”: E092°33'16.0” in clearing. Head down valley past paddy fields on right [sic!], turn righ [sic! without coordinates] at major path, past (N25°24'17.8”: E092°33'19.6”). At fork [without coordinates] turn left [sic!] downslope. Turn left [sic!] at cowshed [without coordinates] across paddy fields towards nearby hillock bearing 350° for 350 m. … Walk clockwise around hillock to reach Krem Sapiang, Krem Siej and Krem Tyngheng. Boycott (2004.02.28 Mss: Krem Sapiang 28/2/04): The cave [Krem Sapiang] is estimated 100 m [past Krem Hawliehkor] clockwise around hilltreck at same level. [sic! without coordinates] at major path, past (N25°24'17.8”: E092°33'19.6”). At fork [without coordinates] turn left [sic!] downslope. Turn left [sic!] at cowshed [without coordinates] across paddy fields towards nearby hillock bearing 350° for 350 m. … Walk clockwise around hillock to reach Krem Sapiang, Krem Siej and Krem Tyngheng. Boycott (2004.02.28 Mss: Krem Sapiang 28/2/04): The cave [Krem Sapiang] is estimated 100 m [past Krem Hawliehkor] clockwise around hilltreck at same level.