MAWPHUH (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

An approximately 2 m wide cave entrance gives access to a pothole that visibly emitted steam on middays in February 2002. ETYMOLOGY: The Khasi verb -phuh- means to blossom; to appear cheerful (SINGH, N 1906: 158). SITUATION: At an inexplicable location without identified spatial relation to each and every cave entrance or landmark in the vicinity (Groves 2002.02.08 Mss: Krem Mawphuh). APPROACH: Follow the new road, which is currently [February 2002] under construction between Mustoh [note 1] and Shella [N25°11': E091°38'] to bend at N25°12'09-: E091°38'29-. Head steeply downhill through jungle towards the above GPS reading [N25°12'08”: E091°38'26” WGS84, blunder-prone GPS Magellan 2000XL] for the entrance (Groves 2002.02.08 Mss: Krem Mawphuh). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2002a: Neither a frying pan on the lawn nor a kettle in the garden but a pot in the jungle … with a good outward draught of warm air. Martin did a hairy free climb down for 8 m to reach a body length and a two second drop rift which needs tackle (Jarratt 2002.02.08: Mss Cave Log 2002: 8/2/02). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2002b: The vertical entrance shaft (10 m ladder) in non-compact limestone drops to a boulder strewn floor with a rift leading to a staggered pitch (estimated to be 12 m deep, 15 m ladder more suitable than SRT). The rift continues at high level for about 10 m to choke. The 2nd pitch intersects a boulder strewn rift (1 m wide) that continues for some 10 m in a southerly and about 30 m in a northerly direction. Both branches give access to boulder blockages (after Jarratt 2002.02.12 Mss amendment to Groves 2002.02.08 Mss: Krem Mawphuh). CAVE CLIMATE: Good outward draught (air current) was noticed in the entrance area but was lost in the bottom rift (note 2). CAVE LIFE: Slugs, millipeds (Millipedes). drop rift which needs tackle (Jarratt 2002.02.08: Mss Cave Log 2002: 8/2/02). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2002b: The vertical entrance shaft (10 m ladder) in non-compact limestone drops to a boulder strewn floor with a rift leading to a staggered pitch (estimated to be 12 m deep, 15 m ladder more suitable than SRT). The rift continues at high level for about 10 m to choke. The 2nd pitch intersects a boulder strewn rift (1 m wide) that continues for some 10 m in a southerly and about 30 m in a northerly direction. Both branches give access to boulder blockages (after Jarratt 2002.02.12 Mss amendment to Groves 2002.02.08 Mss: Krem Mawphuh). CAVE CLIMATE: Good outward draught (air current) was noticed in the entrance area but was lost in the bottom rift (note 2). CAVE LIFE: Slugs, millipeds (Millipedes).