ASHPHAL GUPHA

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A vertical cave without local name (note 1), containing water but no secondary calcite deposits, is more than 15 m long and deep (needs tackle). SITUATION: In the hills separating the rivers Sarju (Saryu) and Ramganga (Ram Ganga), about 24 km in a direct line north by north-east of Bageshwar (N29°51': E079°46': 975 m asl) and 18 km in a direct line appromimately west of Tejam (N29°57': E080°11'). Here, the cave lies about 6 km approximately east or north-east from Thopra (without GPS position), the nearest village and road head, and on the highest peak [no name mentioned] in the area. The cave is reached by a 2.5 hours climb from the car [without GPS position] (Breitenbach 2005.12.01 Mss: Bericht). The GPS and altimeter readings recorded for the Asphal Gupha indicate a spot which lies at a linear distance of 55 m horizontally south by south-east of –>Bhir Cave but 85, 114, 225, or 254 m lower down. CAVE POTENTIAL: Promising for discoveries (Breitenbach 2005.12.01 Mss: Bericht)insofar as there are ongoing, unexplored lateral passages in the cave but already on the trail to the cave are pretty deep (3 m?) holes [which] we did not enter because we had no time.insofar as there are ongoing, unexplored lateral passages in the cave but already on the trail to the cave are pretty deep (3 m?) holes [which] we did not enter because we had no time.