UMTHLUH, 2nd (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A pair of funnel-shaped closed depressions (dolines, both about 8 m by 6 m wide and 4 m deep) give access to a vertical cave passage which was in February 2001 inconveniently obstructed by dislocated boulders but allowed sporst cavers in search of recreational adventure to descend down to one of the dendritic branches of Krem Umthluh near the village of Tongseng (N25°19'28-: E092°30'05” WGS84). The pothole was interpreted as a seasonal sink in a karst depression, leading to a basement level of joint controlled streamways with small perennial flow (Jeffreys, A L 2001.02.10 Mss: Krem Um Thloo 2). CAVE DESCRIPTION: The two daylight-lit dolines (8 m by 6 m wide, 4 m deep) lead to a dark and confusing series of sportive passages between dislocated boulders, including a grade 4 crawl to a cave passage that carries a stream flowing from the north-north-west to south-south-east. SITUATION: On the eastern side of the Shnongrim ridge. APPROCH: To get yourself in the flesh to the pothole, arange for a guide or two and tell your driver to transport you by car from Tongseng east along the road down to the valley of the Litang River (also: Leteiñ, Litien). Before the road, which was in February 2001 under preparation to be hard topped (note 1), reaches the tree line, walk across a grass covered ridge above the left-hand side (approximately north) and dash down into bamboo and tree jungle. Try to follow your guide searching a path to a seasonal streambed in the centre of the Umthloo glen and descend approximately eastwards until limestone pinnacles (secreted away in the jungle) are encountered. Traverse northerly through the topmost pinnacles to a pair of funnel-shaped dolines (note 2). These are the cave entrances to the 2nd cave called Krem Umthluh, Tongseng. Compare the approach for Krem –>Umthluh, Tongseng, 3rd. Leave the road leading from just below Tong Seng village at a point where standing stones can be seen on an open ridge to the left / east. From the stones drop ito the next valley to the north aiming for the grove of pine trees on the skyline. On reaching the -lonesome pine- in the valley follow the path down valley for circa 100 m to reach a bamboo filled obvious sink (Jeffreys, A L 2001.02.10 Mss: Krem Um Thloo 2).to the next valley to the north aiming for the grove of pine trees on the skyline. On reaching the -lonesome pine- in the valley follow the path down valley for circa 100 m to reach a bamboo filled obvious sink (Jeffreys, A L 2001.02.10 Mss: Krem Um Thloo 2).