Pao Cave 2 (Arched entrance) [Koh-i]

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A dry, multi-chambered and well decorated cave without known name (note 1) is likely to represent remains of a previously larger solutional system that became subsequently modified by collapse and infill. It is one of Pakistan's best decorated caves to date (October 2000), containing many fine speleothems: stalactites and stalagmites –often with knobby eratics / helictites on their surface, in addition to straws, curtains, and flowstone. SITUATION 1: About a kilometre south of the pass Shaikh Haji (see: Pao Cave 1) is a flat camping area (now marked by a large cairn) adjacent to a dry drainage channel. From the cairn, the cave is situated 450 m (paced) to the south-east (GPS: 0.4 km towards 136°). The first 200 m are flat and the second 250 m are up a 40° slope of boulders and scree in the obvious gully on the NNE [north-northeast] end of the mountain. Follow the gully uphill to the obvious entrance to –>Pidati Maraan Chimney Cave. Some 50 m before this is reached, an arched entranc (2 m wide and 1 m low) will be found on the left at the base of a rock wall. SITUATION 2 (2000.10.13 Mss): The cave lies at the top of the rubble slope, adjacent to the cliff on the obvious left hand gully. CAVE DESCRIPTION: The cave entrance opens directly on to a 6.5 m pitch that drops into the main chamber (17 m by 12 m wide and 10 m high) from where the cave continues to the NW (north-west) descending to a second chamber / gallery, containing many fine formations. Part way down the slope, a second passage runs east to reach another, less well decorated chamber (12 by 4 m wide and 5 m high). CAVE CONTENTS: Calcite formations (speleothems), boulders, breakdown and silt. TACKLE: 20 m rope & tether for belay to rocks; 7 to 10 m ladder; 20 m life line rope. CAVE POTENTIAL - Prospects: In the roof of the second (eastern) chamber a 6 m high aven was seen to have a 1.5 m wide and 0.8 m high passage leading off on a bearing of about 175°. Other possibilities of continuation are limited. (2 m wide and 1 m low) will be found on the left at the base of a rock wall. SITUATION 2 (2000.10.13 Mss): The cave lies at the top of the rubble slope, adjacent to the cliff on the obvious left hand gully. CAVE DESCRIPTION: The cave entrance opens directly on to a 6.5 m pitch that drops into the main chamber (17 m by 12 m wide and 10 m high) from where the cave continues to the NW (north-west) descending to a second chamber / gallery, containing many fine formations. Part way down the slope, a second passage runs east to reach another, less well decorated chamber (12 by 4 m wide and 5 m high). CAVE CONTENTS: Calcite formations (speleothems), boulders, breakdown and silt. TACKLE: 20 m rope & tether for belay to rocks; 7 to 10 m ladder; 20 m life line rope. CAVE POTENTIAL - Prospects: In the roof of the second (eastern) chamber a 6 m high aven was seen to have a 1.5 m wide and 0.8 m high passage leading off on a bearing of about 175°. Other possibilities of continuation are limited.