PSIAR (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A pothole cave entrance (about 6 by 2 m wide) in pinnacle karst drops estimated 15 m to a clearly visible floor with two apparent continuations. ETYMOLOGY: According to Arbenz, T (2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Psiar), the Khasi cave name Krem Psiar is a made-up field name of the area. SINGH, N (1906: 164) lists no Khasi term -psiar- as such but the verb -pjar- is a contraction of -pyjar- and means to drain, to strain (SINGH, N 1906: 161, 165) but the verb -pjah- is the same as -pyjah- and means to stretch, open, extend (SINGH, N 1906: 165).Brooks, S J et al. (2009 Mss -Diary 2009.doc- Friday 6th February) increase confusion by adding the spelling Krem Psair (sic!). SITUATION 1: Apparently on the north-eastern flanks of Lum Manar and in a spatial relation not only to Krem –>Iawe further down the hill but also to the two caves called Krem –>Siat Kriah (note 1) in the same location. SITUATION 2: (Henry Rockcliff or Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns, in: Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss -Diary- entry Friday 6h February): Krem Psair [sic!] … was just on the slope of the hill which was sloping towards the valley through a narrow passage between the bushes. According to the recorded GPS positions, Krem Psiar lies just about 245 m in a direct line approximately west (-244 m east, -12 m north) from the main doline entrance to Krem Iawe (N25°21'00.5”: E092°32'26.0”: 809 m asl WGS84) but some 120 m higher up. APPROACH: To get there, Arbenz, T (2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Psiar) suggests to … to rely on GPS and (or better) on local guides and suggests: From Shnongrim village, take footpath [note 2] to Manar [note 3] / old Shnongrim [note 4]. After a plateau with paddy fields [note 5], take left [note 6] track towards Kya [note 7] and Iawe [note 8]. After Kya caves, follow path till you reach distinct S-turn [note 9]. Take track to left [note 10] down to a downsloping -soh ngang- plantation [note 11]. Cave is to the right at bottom of low cliff. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1 (Arbenz, T 2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Sarag 1): 4 x 2 m [and estimated] circa 12 to15 m deep. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2 (Henry Rockcliff or Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns, in: Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss: Diary -Friday 6th February- entry): Krem Psair [sic!] … was approximately 43 m deep from the mouth and around 5 m in diameter. From the bottom they found two pitches. One was around 8 m deep and the other was 17m deep which was very difficult to get into it but JP made it possible as he managed to enter it. Now it is fully surveyed – 53.16 m.h February): Krem Psair [sic!] … was just on the slope of the hill which was sloping towards the valley through a narrow passage between the bushes. According to the recorded GPS positions, Krem Psiar lies just about 245 m in a direct line approximately west (-244 m east, -12 m north) from the main doline entrance to Krem Iawe (N25°21'00.5”: E092°32'26.0”: 809 m asl WGS84) but some 120 m higher up. APPROACH: To get there, Arbenz, T (2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Psiar) suggests to … to rely on GPS and (or better) on local guides and suggests: From Shnongrim village, take footpath [note 2] to Manar [note 3] / old Shnongrim [note 4]. After a plateau with paddy fields [note 5], take left [note 6] track towards Kya [note 7] and Iawe [note 8]. After Kya caves, follow path till you reach distinct S-turn [note 9]. Take track to left [note 10] down to a downsloping -soh ngang- plantation [note 11]. Cave is to the right at bottom of low cliff. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1 (Arbenz, T 2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Sarah February): Krem Psair [sic!] … was just on the slope of the hill which was sloping towards the valley through a narrow passage between the bushes. According to the recorded GPS positions, Krem Psiar lies just about 245 m in a direct line approximately west (-244 m east, -12 m north) from the main doline entrance to Krem Iawe (N25°21'00.5”: E092°32'26.0”: 809 m asl WGS84) but some 120 m higher up. APPROACH: To get there, Arbenz, T (2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Psiar) suggests to … to rely on GPS and (or better) on local guides and suggests: From Shnongrim village, take footpath [note 2] to Manar [note 3] / old Shnongrim [note 4]. After a plateau with paddy fields [note 5], take left [note 6] track towards Kya [note 7] and Iawe [note 8]. After Kya caves, follow path till you reach distinct S-turn [note 9]. Take track to left [note 10] down to a downsloping -soh ngang- plantation [note 11]. Cave is to the right at bottom of low cliff. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1 (Arbenz, T 2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Sarag 1): 4 x 2 m [and estimated] circa 12 to15 m deep. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2 (Henry Rockcliff or Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns, in: Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss: Diary -Friday 6th February- entry): Krem Psair [sic!] … was approximately 43 m deep from the mouth and around 5 m in diameter. From the bottom they found two pitches. One was around 8 m deep and the other was 17m deep which was very difficult to get into it but JP made it possible as he managed to enter it. Now it is fully surveyed – 53.16 m.