RUCHA 1a (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

An unspecified, so-called the first of two entrances, the most upstream (highest in the seasonal stream channel) was not descended as it appeared to connect with an other (larger) entrance [Krem –>Rucha 1b] some 15 m further down the stream channel (anonymous Arbenz, T 2013.08.07 Mss: Meghalaya Expedition 2013 Diary: Tuesday, 6th February 2013). Examples of moderate sized streams flowing off the Kopili Shales and entering caves include Krem Shalong, Krem Labit Mynlin [Krem –>Labet, Kseh], Pala Shaft [i.e. –>Pala Pot, Boycott 2008], Krem Rucha, some side inlets to Krem Khung and … caves in the Lymmoh Canyon [Phud Lymoh] (Tringham, M E in ARBENZ, T 2012: 38). ETYMOLOGY: The reported cave name Krem Ruchia (note 1) was not only, perhaps inadvertently, renamed Krem Rucha (note 2) but also was understood to derive from combining an unknown origin with an inexplicable meaning. It seems likely that a sensible person like Mesik Pakem from Larket scarce would have forwarded a meaningless word lke Rucha and rather had told a sensible cave name (Krem Rewjia / Riewjia or Rewjiar / Riewjiar), which combines Khasi words like -rew- (note 3) or -riew- (note 4) with -jia- (note 5) or -jiar- (note 6). SITUATION 2013: In an unspecified setting at an unidentified location and in unspecified spatial relations to the relatively close by cave entrances (note 7) to Krem –>Rucha 1b and Krem –>Rucha 2, which Simon J Brooks, Robert Eavis and Adrian Albuica had reached on 6th February 2013 (Tuesday) from the village of Larket by walking for an unspecified distance (some 400 m) into an unidentified direction (west) and vertically about 40 m down to find [a cave entrance to] Krem Rucha. Here they found two entrances, the most upstream (highest in the seasonal stream channel) was not descended as it appeared to connect with an other (larger) entrance some 15 m further down the stream channel (anonymous Arbenz, T 2013.08.07 Mss: Meghalaya Expedition 2013 Diary: 6th February 2013, Tuesday). CAVE DSCRIPTION 2012.02.19: … Krem Rucha near Larket … was found to be an inviting shaft with an initial 15 m pitch (anonymous Arbenz, T et al. 2013.08.07 Diary 2012.doc). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2013.02.06: The first of two entrances, the most upstream (highest in the seasonal stream channel) was not descended as it appeared to connect with an other (larger) entrance some 15 m further down the stream channel. The second entrance was descended and proved to be a 4 m climb to reach the head of a fine 13 m pitch. This was descended to reach a comfortable canyon style passage that continued [south-east] to the head of another pitch of 5 m depth. From here the cave began to become more constricted until it [the caving] terminated [as the cave passage continues] in three parallel rifts that were too narrow (anonymous Arbenz, T 2013.08.07 Mss: Meghalaya Expedition 2013 Diary: Tuesday, 6th February 2013). PROSPECTS: … the most upstream (highest in the seasonal stream channel) was not descended (anonymousArbenz, T 2013.08.07 Mss: Meghalaya Expedition 2013 Diary: Tuesday, 6th February 2013).SCRIPTION 2012.02.19: … Krem Rucha near Larket … was found to be an inviting shaft with an initial 15 m pitch (anonymous Arbenz, T et al. 2013.08.07 Diary 2012.doc). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2013.02.06: The first of two entrances, the most upstream (highest in the seasonal stream channel) was not descended as it appeared to connect with an other (larger) entrance some 15 m further down the stream channel. The second entrance was descended and proved to be a 4 m climb to reach the head of a fine 13 m pitch. This was descended to reach a comfortable canyon style passage that continued [south-east] to the head of another pitch of 5 m depth. From here the cave began to become more constricted until it [the caving] terminated [as the cave passage continues] in three parallel rifts that were too narrow (anonymous Arbenz, T 2013.08.07 Mss: Meghalaya Expedition 2013 Diary: Tuesday, 6th February 2013). PROSPECTS: … the most upstream (highest in the seasonal stream channel) was not descended (anonymousSCRIPTION 2012.02.19: … Krem Rucha near Larket … was found to be an inviting shaft with an initial 15 m pitch (anonymous Arbenz, T et al. 2013.08.07 Diary 2012.doc). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2013.02.06: The first of two entrances, the most upstream (highest in the seasonal stream channel) was not descended as it appeared to connect with an other (larger) entrance some 15 m further down the stream channel. The second entrance was descended and proved to be a 4 m climb to reach the head of a fine 13 m pitch. This was descended to reach a comfortable canyon style passage that continued [south-east] to the head of another pitch of 5 m depth. From here the cave began to become more constricted until it [the caving] terminated [as the cave passage continues] in three parallel rifts that were too narrow (anonymous Arbenz, T 2013.08.07 Mss: Meghalaya Expedition 2013 Diary: Tuesday, 6th February 2013). PROSPECTS: … the most upstream (highest in the seasonal stream channel) was not descended (anonymousArbenz, T 2013.08.07 Mss: Meghalaya Expedition 2013 Diary: Tuesday, 6th February 2013).