LANGSHREH (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A rift controlled exsurgence cave, possibly in a landscape of pinnacles and bogaz that have formed in what seems to be Miocene Kopili Limestone, is characterised by a perennial stream (without known amount of flow), which arrives from the north-east in a wet base level beneath a relic or dry, abandoned upper level with calcite formations (speleothems). ETYMOLOGY: The Khasi adverb -lang- means together, in concert and the verb -lang- is to congeal, to solidify (SINGH, N 1906: 106). The adverb -shrei- translates into appearing in great numbers, as eggs or teeth; abundantly and the verb -shri- is to show the teeth, to grin while the noun -shrieh- would be a monkey, an ape (SINGH, N 1906: 199). SITUATION 2003.1: On a south-west facing slope of the Nongkhlieh Ridge ( (Laumanns 2003.02.12 Mss: Krem Langshe 12.03.03). SITUATION 2003.2: The resurgence (sic! qua: exsurgence) lies due east of what once had been a camp across Litien River. Approach fom Shnongrim village down Shaktiman road to valey floor. Cross paddy and bridge Litien Riverr heading southerly to base of pronounced amphitheatre [without GPS position] where a river course can be followed through jungle and pinnacles to the resurgence. Time 1.5 to 2 hours (Sheen (2003.02.24 Mss: Krem Lang Shreh 24/02/03). SITUATION 2005.1: Starting from Snongrim [Shnongrim] village, walk down the Shkatiman track to the Litien [Litang, Leteiñ] valley floor. Head S/E through paddy for 2 km to cross the Litein River at a bamboo bridge [no position mentioned]. Continue S/E for 1 km to the mouth of Langshreh valley. Proceed up this valley through tower karst to resurgence (Sheen 2005.02.27 Mss: Krem Langshreh 27/2/5; Sheen 2005.08.20 personal correspondence). SITUATION 2005.2: Diastong (Brooks 2005.10.05 Mss: Meghalaya 2005 Survey Summary).POSITION 1 (Laumanns 2003.02.12): N25°19'17.1”: E092°32'45.1” (±13 m, Laumanns 2003.02.12). POSITION 2 (Sheen 2005.02.27): N25°19'19.9”: E092°32'44.6” (unspecified precision error, Sheen 205.02.27). POSITION 3 (Sheen 2005.08.20): N25°19'16.5”: E092°32'45.4” (±13 m) = Langshreh Valley. POSITION 4 (average, HDG 2005): N25°19'16.8”: E092°32'45.3” (±25 m). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003.1: The cave ntrance (1.5 m wide and 2.5 m high) is the exsurgence of a small underground stream that flows through the cave, which is strongly joint-controlled and, in parts, only 0.5 m wide. Except of a few places, Krem Langshreh [sic!] is wet and narrow -- hence considered to be of fairly recent age. Calcite formations and sediments are very rare. The cave ends in [sic! qua: gives access to] sumps (Laumanns 2003.02.12 Mss: Krem Langshre). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003.2: A juvenile joint controlled vadose canyon with chert bands consists of a A juvenile resurgence in narrow rifts with chert bands emerges at the water table (valley floor). Issues large amounts of water in monsoon. Reasonable flow at time of writing. Very aquatic (Sheen 2003.02.24 Mss: Krem Lang Shreh). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2005.1: A seies of abandoned resurgences [sic! for: exsurgences] in the cliff face above the active resurgence have been connected with the previously surveyed lower sections. The upper levels consist of a series of interconnected well-decorated [speleothems] fossil [sic! more likely: relic] chambers averaging 5 m wide by 3 m tall and 5 m long. At several places daylight can be seen in the roof. No tackle is needed (Sheen 2005.02.27 Mss: Krem Langshreh). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2005.2: Langshreh: Small shafts … (Arbenz, T 2005.02 Mss: Abstracts.xls). SPELEOMETRY 2005.1: length 354.08 m (Arbenz, T 2005.02 Mss: Abstracts.xls). SPELEOMETRY 2005.2: Pre 2005 length171.78 [probably metres] Survey 2005 182.30 Total 354.08 Vertical Range (Brooks 2005.10.05 Mss: Meghalaya 2005 Survey Summary). SPELEOMETRY 2008.1: C. 300m+ was mapped with some roofed sections. (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: Meghalaya 2008 diary, Monday 11th February). SPELEOMETRY 2008.2: Survey 2008: 290.15 (metres?) (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: Survey Summay). CAVE POTENTIAL: Laumanns (2003.02.12 Mss: Krem Langshe): Both sumps are squeezes and appear to be of minor interest. Brooks (circa 2005.03.01 undated Mss amendments to Sheen 2005.02.27 Mss: Krem Langshreh): Good.PROSPECTS 2003: In spite of the only superficial survey completed to sumps or to too narrow passage -- no further potential. However it is likely that a system lies behind this current immature resurgence given the volumes of water involved and the significant catchment area and related swallets above (Sheen 2003.02.24 Mss: Krem Lang Shreh). PROSPECTS 2005: It may be possible to connect this system with the active swallets [note 1] above, which remain unexplored (Sheen 2005.02.27 Mss: Krem Langshreh). CULTURAL HISTORY: Sheen (2005.02.27 Mss: Langshreh Valley) promotes adventure tourism with advertising caves in the open air: The Langshreh valley contains fine karst features notably some very impressive and extensive tower karst [note 2]. In addition there are considerable tretches of partially unroofed canyon [note 3] that can be surveyed. An unusual and beautiful place well worth a visit!CAVE LIFE: Laumanns (2003.02.12 Mss: Krem Langshre) noticed spiders (Arachnida: conf. Aranaea) and relatively small fish (Pisces), possibly less than one or two metres long. Sheen (2005.02.27 Mss: Krem Langshreh) recorded fish and some bats (Chiroptera).y). CAVE POTENTIAL: Laumanns (2003.02.12 Mss: Krem Langshe): Both sumps are squeezes and appear to be of minor interest. Brooks (circa 2005.03.01 undated Mss amendments to Sheen 2005.02.27 Mss: Krem Langshreh): Good.PROSPECTS 2003: In spite of the only superficial survey completed to sumps or to too narrow passage -- no further potential. However it is likely that a system lies behind this current immature resurgence given the volumes of water involved and the significant catchment area and related swallets above (Sheen 2003.02.24 Mss: Krem Lang Shreh). PROSPECTS 2005: It may be possible to connect this system with the active swallets [note 1] above, which remain unexplored (Sheen 2005.02.27 Mss: Krem Langshreh). CULTURAL HISTORY: Sheen (2005.02.27 Mss: Langshreh Valley) promotes adventure tourism with advertising caves in the open air: The Langshreh valley contains fine karst features notably some very impressive and extensive tower karst [note 2]. In addition there are considerable tretches of partially unroofed canyon [note 3] that can be surveyed. An unusual and beautiful place well worth a visit!CAVE LIFE: Laumanns (2003.02.12 Mss: Krem Langshre) noticed spiders (Arachnida: conf. Aranaea) and relatively small fish (Pisces), possibly less than one or two metres long. Sheen (2005.02.27 Mss: Krem Langshreh) recorded fish and some bats (Chiroptera).