SHALONG (Krem)

Location

In addition to the vaulted (6 m wide and up to 10 m high), north-east facing "main" cave entrance (note 1) of Krem Shalong proper, which, in February 2010 had been »looming behind the trees« (Sandford, E 2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 16th February), there is an other dozen (or so), more or less ignored cave entrances (note 2), which are known to give access to a complex of three-dimensionally ramified cave passages that represent the subterranean estuary of a generally northwards draining, in parts perennially active stream cave, which currently exsurges with Krem –>Enle to the epigean zone at the head of the »Enle Canyon« (25°24'46”N: 92°36'22”E), which joins the »Lymmoh Canyon« or Lymoh Canyon (25°24'48”N: 92°36'23”E), a tributary from the south to the orographically left bank of the Kopili River (26°15N': 92°10'E). The generally subhorizontal cave passages combine dry cave passages at relic cave levels (abandoned by flowing water) with apparently two distinct active stream cave passages in the vadose zone. The different levels have been interpreted to indicate a series of subsequent stages of vadose cave development in concordance with the local water table controlled by the Kopili River. Numerous tributary inlets to the »main drain passage suggest quite a large catchment area on the north-western flank of [an unspecified] the Khanar-slope« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc 16.2.2010). Some of the noticed cave entrances include 1. Krem Shalong near (±50 m) 25°24'30.0”N: 92°36'41.2”N: 794 m, NE-facing, vaulted (6 m wide, up to 10 m high). 2. Krem Enle near (±60 m) 25°24'33.5”N: 92°36'38.3”E: 790 m, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size. 3. First of three unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (S. J. Brooks, J.-P. Bartholeyns & Karma Choki Bhutia in: Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 16th February). 4. Second of three unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (S. J. Brooks, J.-P. Bartholeyns & Karma Choki Bhutia in: Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 16th February). 5. Third of three unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (S. J. Brooks, J.-P. Bartholeyns & Karma Choki Bhutia in: Anonymous et al. 2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 16th February). 6. Shalong 15 m pitch unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke, Oana Chachula and Oliver Kube in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Saturday, 12th Febuary 2011). 7. Shalong 36 m pitch unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke, Oana Chachula and Oliver Kube in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Saturday, 12th Febuary 2011). 8. Sherpa Entrance unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (Simone Buchmann, Imogen Furlong and Barry J. Lawton in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 9. Pyramid Entrance 1 unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke and Henry B. Dawson in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 10. Pyramid Entrance 2 unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke and Henry B. Dawson in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 11. Pyramid Entrance 3 unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size (David Cooke and Henry B. Dawson in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: 17th Feb 2011 Thursday). 12. Fig Tree Entrance unidentified position, unidentified orientation, unidentified shape, unidentified size »… was found at the base of a cliff entering an unstable boulder choke underneath a fig tree. This goes straight down, but it is unclear whereto« (Henry B. Dawson, Ksan Kupar "Ronnie" Mawlong abd David Cooke in: Arbenz, T. et al. 2011.03.27 undated Mss: 2011 Diary.doc: Friday 18th Feb 2011). EVALUATION 2011: The generally »subhorizontal cave system with apparently two active vadose streamways [is] intersected and overlain by relic cave passages. Multiple flood exurgence entrances and abandoned exurgence entrances in the downstream part of the system drain the Langlet area into Enle Canyon, Lymmoh Canyon and the Kopili River. Levels may have been influenced by lowering of the water table by downcutting of the nearby Kopili river. There is a central point (Wind in the Willows, survey station 50/20) from where cave passages fan out in various directions generally heading south-west. Noumerous inlets leading into a main drain passage suggest quite a large catchment area on the NW flank of the Khanar-slope« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). EVALUATION 2010: As far as known, the sub-horizontal complex of cave passages appears to consist of perennially active stream cave passages at one or several lower levels, which are intersected and overlain by relic cave passages at higher levels. In addition to cave entrances abandoned by flowing water, there are several seasonally active exsurgence cave entrances in the lower reaches of the cave, which seems to drain two catchment areas south-west and south-east of the generally north-east draining cave (modified after Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.05 dated "2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec-1.doc). The distinct cave levels can be interpreted to testify to different base levels of corrosion, which are either guided by uplift of the cave's host rock or by the incision of the Kopili River (note 3). ETYMOLOGY: The origin and meaning of the recorded cave name "Krem Shalong" has not yet been identified but was simply taken as granted as if it were the »name given by Bud Skhem [note 7], guide, met by nearby cowshed and mentioned by [unidentified, so-called] other locals in area« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.27 Mss Krem Shalong 2.4.2007)."Krem Shalong" as such is disputable insofar as it seems to translate as something along the lines of a rather bizarre »Towards Upwards Cave« because the standard Khasi preposition "sha" (note 4) means »to, towards« (SINGH, N 1906: 188) or »into, towards, to, in the direction of« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984 appendix C: lxviii) whilst the Khasi adjective "long" is short for "khmied long" (note 5) and means »upwards« (SINGH, N 1906: 118). Each of the three eith effectively or inadvertently created spelling aberrations »Krem Shalang« (note 7), »Krem Shallong« (note 8) and »Krem Shalons« (note 9) make no sense whatsoever (note 10). SITUATION: Arbenz, T (2010.03.31 cave distribution map: Pala_Ridge_4-10.pdf) indicates the location of the cave entrance to Krem Shalong at a spot which lies about 4.3 km in a direct line due east from the village of Pala (25°24'43”N: 92°34'09”E) and about 150 m in a direct line south or south-east above the orographically left bank of the Kopili River. Brooks, S J et al. (2010.03.08, 2010.03.12 Mss: Overview 2010.doc) place the cave entrance to Krem Shalong simply »in the Kopili Area« and thus with a remarkable horizontal precision error of ±72000 m near 25°50'N: 92°42'30”E, the approximate centre of the Kopili basin (note 11). POSITION 1: 25°24’30.6”N: 92°36’39.7”E: 754 m (WGS84 2010.02.15 Brooks S J, GPS Garmin Etrex EPE ±7 m) has been recorded (note 12) at an estimated distance of 60 m on a bearing of 285° from the cave entrance to Krem Shalong but vertically 40 m lower down. POSITION 2: 25°24’30.0”N: 92°36’41.2”E: 794 m (WGS84) indicates a spot 60 m in a direct line on 115° and 40 m above (-18.9 m north + 40.5 m east + 40 m higher up) position 1. POSITION 3: For a short time Arbenz, T (2010.03.31 cave distribution map: Pala_Ridge_4-10.pdf) had indicated »Krem Shalong 794 m Audsley [sic!] 2010« near (circa ±0.3” = ±10 m) 25°24'30.5”N: 92°36'40.5”E but this was based on misinformation (note 13). APPROACH 2010 (modified after Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.12 dated "2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc revised from Arbenz & Brown 2010.06.05 dated "2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec-1.doc): Starting at the road junction (25°25’24.2”N: 92°35’32.7”E) in front (east) of the church (St. Joseph near 25°25’24.0”N: 92°35’32.9”E: circa 880 m) in the centre of the village of Kseh, follow the track south through the village down to what had been in February 2010 a relatively new water reservoir (at an unidentified GPS position), where the track ends and a »good footpath« continues south across woodland and rice fields, and traverses SSW a slope. After about a kilometre (20 minutes on foot) approximately south to south-west, the footpath meets a junction (25°25’5.9”N: 92°35’31.5”E) with the 4WD track that comes down from the road running from Kseh initially south and later west to the village of Pala (SE-cross-roads: 25°24'35”N: 92°34'16”E) -- an alternative approach pliable up to here with the help of a 4WD-vehicle. Continue east along the track down to a farming area (25°24’46”N: 92°36’10”E) where a footpath leads after 200 m down SE to the »Lymmoh Canyon« (Lymoh Canyon). Cross the ford (near ±50 m 25°24'46”N: 92°36'22”E) and stay on a footpath SSE to to cross a hill in woodland into the »Enle Canyon« (Phud Enle? Phud Ïing Lieh?). Cross the canyon and follow it upstream south-east (the path is not very distinct) until the canyon, upon reaching the flat, southern rim of a relatively large doline, changes to a riverbed that had been dry in February 2010. To reach the cliff base on the north-west side of the doline, the most feasible route is upstream along the river bed, and the final approach to the 6 m wide and 10 m high cave entrance to Krem Shalong involves scrambling up a footpath for about 150 m. From the GPS position 25°24’30.6”N: 92°36’39.7”E, the cave entrance lies 60 m on a bearing of 115° (ESE) but 40 m higher up (note 14). In February 2010, the cave entrance to Krem Shalong had been reached by travelling from nowhere special for a distance that had been covered by a »two and half hours walk« -- probably there and back again (Anonymous et al. (2010.03.29 Mss: Diary (current) 2010.doc: 17th February). It is only when we come to Sandford, E (2010.04.16 Mss: Caves 'n' Corals: 17th February) that we told that »Krem Shalong was around 2.5 hours walk from [an unidentified] camp, but well worth it when we saw the shadow of the entrance looming behind the trees.« APPROACH 2011a: One alternative route to the cave entrance to Krem Shalong from the village of Kseh (St. Joseph church near 25°25’24.0”N: 92°35’32.9”E: circa 880 m) runs via the jetty (25°25'49.1”N: 92°36'15.1”E: 717 m), which lies on the orographically left (locally western) bank of the Kopili River (26°15'N: 92°10'E) and about 1.5 km in a direct line ESE from the village, where you may ask a briew lieng (in short: 'riewlieng; boatman) to paddle you »about 45 mins« upstream (south) to the mouth of the »Lymoh Canyon« (Lymoh Canyon 25°24'58”N: 92°36'22”E). Near 25°24'40”N: 92°36'24”E and »about 200 m into the canyon, a footpath leads to the farm of Bud Shkem [sic! Bud Skhem 25°24'43”N: 92°36'35”E] from where a footpath leads straight into Enle Canyon (see above)« (after Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc 16.2.2010; Arbenz, T 2010.03.31 cave distribution map: Pala_Ridge_4-10.pdf). APPROACH 2011b: Another alternative is to hire a car at Shillong and to hire a driver who drives you from Kseh »along the road to Pala. Half way along the distance to the “Bus Stop Junction" at the base of the last incline, a new road forks off towards the Kopili. It is large enough to let a small truck pass. The road ends currently (Feb 2011) at the edge of Lymoh Canyon where the construction of a motorable bridge is in progress. Across the bridge the same footpath to Bud Shkem’s [sic! qua: Bud Skhem's] farm is reached. Proceed as above« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc). GPS TRACK (Brown M W 15.2.2010 WGS84, GPS Garmin etrex): 25°25'24.2”N: 92°35'32.7”E church, Kseh 25°24'48.8”N: 92°35'47.1”E cowshed 25°24'44.3”N: 92°36'19.2”E path crosses Lymmoh Canyon 25°25'05.9”N: 92°35'31.5”E junction on Pala Kseh road 25°24'45.8”N: 92°35'47.1”E cowshed path meets jeep track 25°24'50.0”N: 92°35'24.3”E jeep track meets road 25°24'43.5”N: 92°36'29.1”E path 25°24'29.6”N: 92°36'40.8”E ca. 60 m short of Krem Shalong entrance. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2012: »… 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 [i.e. –>Lymoh Canyon Cave]« (Tringham, M E in ARBENZ, T 2012: 38). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2011.03.05: »The main entrance is of large, tunnel-shaped size, w6m x h10m, facing north-west, it lies 40 m above the doline floor in a distinct cliff face. General Cave Description (Thomas Arbenz, Henry Dawson): The front part, explored till the end of February 2010, is quite complicated. It can be described as having similarities to a river delta but the different branches lie on three to for different levels. The passages often overlay, intersect or join each other. The passages in the lower levels are active stream ways, sometimes in narrow meanders but ever so often in creek- and river passages with false floor ceilings. Sometimes the way on leads through up to four different levels: From active, pebble strewn river passage up into intermediate levels, built by huge breakdown boulders and up again into beautifully decorated relic passage. At a certain point (stn. 50/20) most of the branches meet in the roundish cauldron-like ”Wind in the Willows” chamber. Here three passages lead on to SW. The main drain appears to have been reached at stn. 50/20. Three passages lead away from this point, one of which is the main drain, well washed and of walking to stooping size. The other two are of walking to stooping size getting lower to crawling bits. They are muddy but well decorated and bear a lot of flood debris.The three passages all join at stn.100/18 from where the various incoming passages cover a larger catchment area. The rather nasty “Puree’s Revenge” passage (awful, smelly and muddy place) leads into a maze of old, dry and occasionally wet passages with some excellent gypsum formations. Also a passage with three impressive avens (IFIF Chamber) of exceptional beauty (wall formations) leads on, stressing the general SW direction of the cave. The mayor part of the inlets end in too tight muddy chokes. One leads to the surface opening a further entrance in a dry riverbed. The main drag ends spectacularly: the passage finds its conclusion in a high stunningly decorated chamber with “The Final Curtain”, an impressive 24 m high calcite draperie blocking the way on. Detailed Cave Description (Mark Brown): Impressive “main” Entrance 10m x 6m relic passage at top of wooded slope in cliff recess. First dusty floored passage meets “Burnt Bamboo” T-junction after 70 m. Right (SW) leads to “Helter Skelter” passage, where a “bold” step over a 7m drop to the passage below leads to a climb down and back under the bold step into the passage. Downstream along the 5mx6m “Helter Skelter” passage floored with some gours and cobbles leads to a 7m wide chamber (White Rabbit Chamber) with several ways on. These are all routes through breakdown to emerge in different parts of the edge of the 6 m wide “First Day passage”. First day passage has an upper level, much of which has a “false floor” of calcited breakdown (ending in chokes), a mid level (often just walking sized routes through boulders) and a lower level which takes the active streamway. The lower level emerges from an upstream sump and disappears downstream again after about 120 m in another sump. Some deep pools have to be swum to follow this stream. The stream reappears in the Krem Enle entrance. A complex series of interconnecting passages is found around the lower entrance area. At the base of the main entrance slope is “Tom’s” walking size entrance which leads to a T-junction with the second active stream passage. Downstream feeds into the Enle streamway. Upstream splashing through a shapely 2mx5m high passage meets a point where Helter Skelter passage joins at high level; “bridging” 6 m up flowstone gives access to this. Continuing upstream the passage enlarges and two high level passages are passed. The first is an oxbow, the second, speleothem-rich “Last Day Passage” leads above a false floor of boulders in the roof.After 190 m of mainly 3m x 5m dimensions the main passage meets “Wind in the Willows” junction. Here there appears to be a main upstream continuation (draughting strongly), a high level relic passage, and downstream continuation. None of which have been explored (March 2010)« (Arbenz, T 2011.03.05 Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec.doc 16.2.2010). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2010.06.05 modified after Mark W. Brown in Arbenz & Brown (2010.06.05 dated "2.4.2007" Mss: Krem Shalong_Rec-1.doc): An about 6 m wide and up to an estimated 10 m high cave entrance in a recess of a cliff at the top of a forest covered slope gives access to cave passage with a dusty floor which leads after some 70 m to the so-called “Burnt Bamboo T-junction" where the cave passage south-west (in cases equivalent to some self centered person's right-hand side) was christened Helter Skelter --probably because it was understood to lead to a fully incomprehensible »bold Step over a 7 m drop to the passage below leads to a climb down and back under the bold step into the passage« (sic!). In one way or the other, the Helter Skelter Passage is on average either 5 m wide and 6 m high or 5 m high and 6 m wide, features a cave floor characterised not only by pebbles but also by over-reduced »gours« which can be interpreted either as gour dams or, but this remains unknowable, as gour pools, and eventually leads to an about 7 m wide White Rabbit Chamber without identified height and length which, however, features several ways on, which all allow to select one or the other of a multiple choice of routes through breakdown and emerge at different places in the 6 m wide First Day Passage, which has an upper level - much of which has a “false floor” of calcited breakdown (leading to chokes), a mid level (often just walking sized routes through boulders) and a lower level, which drains the active streamway. The lower level emerges from an upstream sump and disappears downstream again after about 120 m in another sump. Some relatively deep water pools of unknown depth have to be swum to follow this stream that eventually reappears in the Krem Enle entrance. A complex series of interconnecting passages is found around the lower entrance area. At the base of the main entrance slope is a walking-sized cave entrance, which leads to a T-junction with the second active stream passage. The downstream part feeds into the Enle streamway, while splashing upstream through a shapely, on average 2 m and 5 m high cave passage, meets a point where the Helter Skelter Passage joins at a relatively high level. At one point or another, “bridging” 6 m up flowstone gives access to this or that. Continuing upstream, the cave passage becomes larger in size and passes two relatively high-level cave passages. The first is a bypass and the second, a speleothem-rich Last Day Passage, leads, literally quoted, »above a false floor of boulders in the roof« (sic!). After 190 m the mainly either 3 m wide and 5 m high or, but this remains unknowable, 5 m wide or 6 m high main cave passage meets the Wind-in-the-Willows Junction. Here there appears to be a main upstream continuation (draughting strongly), a high level relic passage, and downstream continuation. None of which have been explored during February 2010 Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 09/02/2016

NOTE 1: ka wah (Khasi, noun) a stream, a river (SINGH, N 1906: 244); a mountain stream (ALLEN, W J 1858: 61), binomial: ka wah - ka um (SINGH, N 1906: 244). long (Khasi, verb) is, to exist, to become (SINGH, N 1906: 118); to be, become, betide (SINGH, N 1920: 39, 40, 44). u máw long (Khasi, noun) a big stone or rock (SINGH, N 1906: 130); crag, rock (SINGH, N 1920: 100, 444).u soh long (Khasi, noun), a lemon (SINGH, N 1906: 208; BAZELY 1992: 34). NOTE 2: Wahlong, literally: Big Stream (of water), is the same as »Wolong« (Major Bivar in: MEDLICOTT, H B 1865: 391 table) and »Wullong« (MEDLICOTT, H B 1865: 421). In November 1995 I recorded at a populated place called Wahlong the GPS position (±150 m) 25°12'29”N: 91°43'25”E : circa (±200 m) 800 m asl (WGS84 modified from 25°12'27”N: 91°43'35”E Everest 1830, Gebauer, H D undated 1995 November unstable 4-channel GPS Garmin 4) where the Survey of India sheets 78-O/12 indicate a village called »Mawthangsokkhyllum« (edition 1912) or »Mawthangsok Khyllum« (edition 1937), apparently a contraction of "maw" (stone) + "thang" (to burn, deflagrate, enkindle, fire, light) + "soh khyllum" »a sour fruit resembling a guava« (SINGH, N 1906: 207). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 09/02/2016