JRI, Lum Manar (Krem poh)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A fully visited and entered, allegedly -surveyed- (sportsman standards) but not mapped and relatively short rift with pothole (Arbenz, T 2008 Mss -Fieldbook- page 31), which is estimated 2 x 6 m, circa 40 m deep (Arbenz, T 2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Poh Jri), was understood to consist of a relatively short climb leading to a 24 m pitch, which choked in mud (Brown et al. 2008 Mss -Meghalaya 2008 diary- Thursday 14th February). ETYMOLOGY: The possibly offhand created cave name Krem poh Jri (Evermore Patlong 2008.02.08) translates literally into a Cave short of Rubber / Caoutchouc (SINGH, N 1906: 105, 162) but probably is a short form of one -Krem poh Dieng Jri- meaning Cave near [a] Fig Tree or Cave below [a] Fig Tree. Arbenz, T (2008 Mss -Fieldbook- page 31) confirms that there existed in 2008 the landmark represented by a huge and very old, isolated ficus tree (Jri). SITUATION: At an unexplainable location on Lum Manar and in many unrecogniced spatial relations to the other cave entrances i the same vicinity. APPROACH: Arbenz, T (2008.02.08 Mss -Krem Poh Jri-; 2008 Mss -Fieldbook- page 31): From Shnongrim village, take footpath to Manar [old Shnongrim fort] and Iawe. At Manar [without GPS position], take a path south towards Um Manong [without GPS position]. At distinct, balcony-like platform [note 1] overlooking a large, recently [February 2008] cultivated area, take a path south-west and follow it 200 m down towards a big doline. Head roughly west up into jungle for about 50 m. Having finally arrived at this dire strait, it becomes obvious that one is better advised to rely on a local guide and a GPS receiver (note 2). POSITIONS: N25°20'37.9”: E92°32'08.6” (WGS84, ±4 m): 930 m asl (T. Arbenz, T 2008.02.08) in Arbenz, T (2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Poh Jri) falling on the Shnongrim Ridge map (Arbenz, T 2006) quadrangle 2.15 Syrnun. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1 (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: Meghalaya 2008 diary: Thursday 14th February): Short rift with pothole, 2 x 6 m, circa 40 m deep (acess via short free climb 4 m down to good ledge contains an edge with loose boulders! (Arbenz, T 2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Poh Jri) and was understood to consist of a short climb leading to a 24 m pitch, which choked in mudCAVE DESCRIPTION 2 (Arbenz, T 2008.08.05 Mss: öpdeit; 2008.08.11 Mss: Re Krem poh Jri, Lum Manar; 2008 Mss -Fieldbook- page 31): Short rift with pothole. Overgrown entrance, scramble down 4 m to comfortable ledge overlooking estimated 30-40m pitch. CAVE POTENTIAL (Arbenz, T 2008.08.05 Mss: öpdeit; 2008 Mss -Fieldbook- page 31): In spite of having had a survey team, which descended 24 m to a muddy floor (reportedly choked), no survey was made. To be surveyed and mapped.cess via short free climb 4 m down to good ledge contains an edge with loose boulders! (Arbenz, T 2008.02.08 Mss: Krem Poh Jri) and was understood to consist of a short climb leading to a 24 m pitch, which choked in mudCAVE DESCRIPTION 2 (Arbenz, T 2008.08.05 Mss: öpdeit; 2008.08.11 Mss: Re Krem poh Jri, Lum Manar; 2008 Mss -Fieldbook- page 31): Short rift with pothole. Overgrown entrance, scramble down 4 m to comfortable ledge overlooking estimated 30-40m pitch. CAVE POTENTIAL (Arbenz, T 2008.08.05 Mss: öpdeit; 2008 Mss -Fieldbook- page 31): In spite of having had a survey team, which descended 24 m to a muddy floor (reportedly choked), no survey was made. To be surveyed and mapped.