SYNRANG LABIT, Shnongrim, 1st (Krem)

(Saipung - IN)
25.345800,92.516900
Grottocenter / carte

Description

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The first of the two cave entrances and potholes (compare: Krem –>Synrang Labit 2), formerly Krem Synrang Labbit 2 (note 1), is an irregularly shaped, elongated doline (some 4 m deep at a width of 12 m or 15 m SW-NE by about 5 m or 6 m NW-SE) which lies about 50 m in a direct line approximately NNE from the vertically -lower- (since February 2004 the second) entrance. One or the other (or both?) of the two cave entrances function as seasonal insurgences (rainy season sinks), which drain waters to an unknown resurgence, and drop (35 plus 60 m) to an almost horizontal cave system (dipping 1.33% or 25 m over 1200 m to north-east) on the eastern flank of the Shnongrim Ridge. The vertically upper of the two cave entrances is likely to be the first (topmost) upstream catchment of the Western Shnongrim drain. In 2004 it turned out to constitute the top of a Synrang Labit System (Arbenz, T 2004.02.18 Mss). SITUATION (HDG 2002.02.24): The two cave entrances (note 2) lie on the eastern side of he Shnongrim Ridge, vertically about 100 m below and 800 m in a direct line a little west of south from the village of Shnongrim, in the lands belonging to U Mul, and geologically in the Kopili Limestone just below the Kopili Alternations (shales and sandstones). The entrance itself (just like Krem –>Synrang Labit n°2, Krem –>Jri and Krem –>Jri n°2) is secreted away in an area of fairly dense forest thriving on limestone outcrops and karst alleys. It is best reached by walking down from the village of Shnongrim (25°21'08”N: 92°31'04”E: 1140 m) via the grass-lands to the lower cow sheds. Near (±25 m) 25°20'44”N: 92°30'55”E turn north-east (left if facing the Litang valley in the south-east), first into a growth of fir trees, later into mixed jungle. The vertically -upper- (since February 2004 the first) entrance to this cave (Krem Synrang Labit, Shnongrim) is an irregularly shaped, elongated doline (some 4 m deep at a width of 12 m or 15 m SW-NE by about 5 m or 6 m NW-SE) mergig into two potholes and lies about 50 m in a direct line approximately NNE from the vertically -lower- (since February 2004 the second) entrance to this cave (Krem Synrang Labit, Shnongrim), which is circular doline some 8 m to 11 m in diameter. APPROACH 2004.02.14: From Shnongrim village centre take one or the other track down towards the valley for about 500 m and turn right (note 3) for a footpath leading into open meadow lands and find bamboo porch into a banana garden (plantain grove, in Khasi: brikait) from where a jungle path leads to Labit 1 (ex-Labbit 2) and further on to Labit 2 (ex-Labbit 1). Immediately as one enters the jungle, leads a ramp-like sloping alley on the right-hand side to the pitch (Arbenz T undated 2004.02.14 Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004). APPROACH 2003.02.28: From Shnongrim village continue down Shaktiman track and take first major path to right (after 150 m) down the ridge to just inside the jungle (Sheen R F 2003.02.28 Mss: Krem Synrang Labbit). CAVE DECRIPTION: A square entrance pitch (18.5 m) with ####### [culfing? cutting?] walls leads into a nice chambers (Ø 4 to 5 m) and onward into a clean rounded 2nd pitch (15.8 m) belling out into a big chamber (Ø 8 to 10 m). Both chambers are in parts decorated with speleothems. There is also a nice decorated lateral fossil [sic! more likely: relic, abandoned by flowing water] pitch from 1st to 2nd chamber. UPSTREAM: Two crawling passing into bedding planes lead to a bigger boulder chamber. Left: A wide inlet gets very low after 10 m and there is no way on. Straight ahead continues a bouldery passage to three avens, of which the highest has been climbed to 9 m without finding a way on. A very tight inlet beneath is a possible lead. Right: Muddy outlet chokes after 30 m. DOWNSTREAM: A crawly 60 m passage leads into a rift and a small stream passage from where, by a short climb up through boulders the entrance pitch of Synrang Labbit 2 [ex-Synrang Labit 1] is gained (note 4] (Arbenz, T undate 2004.02.14 Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004). CAVE CONTENTS: Fossils in the upper aven, cockles, mussels (Arbenz, T undated 2004.02.14 Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004). TACKLE: 20 m rope, 30 m rope. PROSPECTS: A not very promising lead near survey station 9/2 is represented by a very tight squeeze into approximately 3 m of squeezy bedding plane, which appears to open up again upstream (Arbenz, T 2004.02.14 undated Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004). The two caves Krem –>Jri (Shnongrim) lie 150 m and 200 m east from Krem Synrang Labit (Shnongrim) 1 and never have been entered or explored. CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: The cave is used as a bat hunting ground: Famous locally for hunting bats in the season (October - November). Nets are placed over the entrances; bamboo and leaves cover any remaining outlets. Many hundreds of bats are caught in the early evenings between 5 to 6 p.m. and either eaten locally or sold at 2 IRs per piece in nearby markets (Sheen 2003.02.28 Mss: Krem Synrang Labbi 28/02/03). CAVE LIFE: Robin F. Sheen (2003.02.28 Mss: Krem Synrang Labbit) noticed substantial colonies of large and small horseshoe (?) bats (Chiroptera). Thomas Arbenz (undated 2004.02.14 Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004) recorded the presence of more or less large spiders in addition to relatively small spiders (Arachnida: conf. Aranea). KOTTELAT, HARRIES & PROUDLOVE (2007: 43 table 2) list Synrang Labbit 1 among the caves in the Sutnga area (sic!) in which the cave dwelling, nemacheilid loach Schistura prob. papulifera (Teleostei: Balituridae) possibly has been seen as Fiona J. Ware (February 2003), who would know, is said to have noticed some in an unidentified streamway somewhere there. The problem is that actually it was Robin F. Sheen (2003.02.28 Mss: Krem Synrang Labbit) who reported to have seen what he identified as large albino carp and black catfish (Pisces) or pigmented loach. 2004.02.14 Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004). CAVE CONTENTS: Fossils in the upper aven, cockles, mussels (Arbenz, T undated 2004.02.14 Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004). TACKLE: 20 m rope, 30 m rope. PROSPECTS: A not very promising lead near survey station 9/2 is represented by a very tight squeeze into approximately 3 m of squeezy bedding plane, which appears to open up again upstream (Arbenz, T 2004.02.14 undated Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004). The two caves Krem –>Jri (Shnongrim) lie 150 m and 200 m east from Krem Synrang Labit (Shnongrim) 1 and never have been entered or explored. CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: The cave is used as a bat hunting ground: Famous locally for hunting bats in the season (October - November). Nets are placed over the entrances; bamboo and leaves cover any remaining outlets. Many hundreds of bats are caught in the early evenings between 5 to 6 p.m. and either eaten locally or sold at 2 IRs per piece in nearby markets (Sheen 2003.02.28 Mss: Krem Synrang Labbi 28/02/03). CAVE LIFE: Robin F. Sheen (2003.02.28 Mss: Krem Synrang Labbit) noticed substantial colonies of large and small horseshoe (?) bats (Chiroptera). Thomas Arbenz (undated 2004.02.14 Mss: Krem Synrang Labit 1 2004) recorded the presence of more or less large spiders in addition to relatively small spiders (Arachnida: conf. Aranea). KOTTELAT, HARRIES & PROUDLOVE (2007: 43 table 2) list Synrang Labbit 1 among the caves in the Sutnga area (sic!) in which the cave dwelling, nemacheilid loach Schistura prob. papulifera (Teleostei: Balituridae) possibly has been seen as Fiona J. Ware (February 2003), who would know, is said to have noticed some in an unidentified streamway somewhere there. The problem is that actually it was Robin F. Sheen (2003.02.28 Mss: Krem Synrang Labbit) who reported to have seen what he identified as large albino carp and black catfish (Pisces) or pigmented loach.

Documents

Bibliography 06/01/2018

History

EXPLORATION HISTORY: 2002.02.17: Larsing Sukhlain indicated the approximate position to Brian D. Kharpran Daly and H. D. Gebauer. 2002.02.24, trip 1: Larsing Sukhlain guided Brian D. Kharpran Daly, H. Daniel Gebauer, Thomas Arbenz, Ksan Kupar “Ronnie” Mawlong and Phiban Kharumlong to the two entrances of Krem Synrang Labit. 2003.02.19, trip 2: Raplang Shangpliang, Kai Shail Patwat or Pajuh Heipormi reported the cave name Synrang Labbit to Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt (Mss Cave Log 2003: 19/2/03). 2003.02.22, trip 3: Raplang Shangpliang guided Robin F. Sheen (2003.02.28 Mss: Krem Synrang Labbit) to Krem Synrang Labit. 2003.02.23, trip 4 (Synrang Labit 2): Peter Ludwig, R.F. Sheen and Nicola 'Nicky' Bayley rigged to the base of the pitches and explored downstraem, measuring 366.62 m. 2003.02.24, trip 5 (Synrang Labit 2): N. Bayley, Fiona J. Ware and Derek Pettiglio continue to survey the downstream and measured 167.4 m (sum: 534.02 m). 2003.02.24, trip 6 (Synrang Labit 2): Andreas $$Andi' Neumann, Annie U. Audsley and Peter Ludwig surveyed 118.75 m in the Upper Fossil series (sum: 652.77 m). 2003.02.25, trip 7 (Synrang Labit 2): A. Neumann, P. Ludwig and R.F. Sheen surveyed 171.1 m in Gothic Maze and beyong to a boulder choke and beyond? (sum: 823.87 m). 2003.02.25, trip 8 (Synrang Labit 2): N. Bayley, Annie U. Audsley and Derek Pettiglio explored downstream to head of 5m-pitch before they started the wet inlet Improbability Drive, measuring 301.08 m (sum: 1124.95 m). 2003.02.26, trip 9 (Synrang Labit 2): A. Neumann, P. Ludwig and D. Pettiglio pushed on upstream Improbability Drive, measuring 337.0 m (sum: 1461.95 m). 2003.02.26, trip 10 (Synrang Labit 2): A.U. Audsley, Fiona J. Ware and Daniel B. Harries explored large side passages and mazes off Improbability Drive, measuring 191.94 m. SPELEOMETRY 2003: Survey length: 1,653.89 m, vertical range: 96.84 m (+0.00 m / - 96.84 m). 2004.02.10, trip 11 (Synrang Labit 1): Thomas Arbenz and Damian Linder dropped and urveyed the three pitches and most of the horizontal passages (155.57 m). 2004.02.12, trip 12 (Synrang Labit 1): Thomas Arbenz, Peter Ludwig, Brian D. Kharpran Daly, Imogen Furlong surveyed (73.91 m; total: 321.39 m / -38.76 m) the passage between Krem Synrang Labbit 1 and Krem Synrang Labbit 2 (ex-Synrang Labbit 1). 2004.02.13, trip 13: Synrang Labit 1 and Synrang Labit 2 were physically connected by Peter Ludwig and Imogen Furlong (total: 239 m). 2004.02.14, trip 14 (Synrang Labit): Simon J. Brooks and Peter Ludwig: 81.93 m + 438.00 m. 2004.02.15, trip 15 (Synrang Labit): Simon J. Brooks and Peter Ludwig: 218.79 m. 2004.02.16, trip 16 (Synrang Labit 2): Simon J. Brooks and Peter Ludwig: 252.94 m. 2004.02.16, trip 17 (Synrang Labit 1): Thomas Arbenz, Joe Duxbury and Peter Ludwig finished the survey by tying in loose ends (86.28 m). Peter Ludwig retrieved the rope from Krem Synrang Labit 1 (ex- Krem Synrang Labit 2) while T. Arbenz and J. Duxbury made a through trip down Krem Synrang abit 1 (ex- Krem Synrang Labit 2) and up Krem Synrang Labbit 2 (ex- Krem Synrang Labit 1). SPELEOMETRY 2004: Survey length: 3,933.39 m; vertical range: 111.57 m (+0.00 m / - 111.57 m). 2005.02.19, trip 18 (Synrang Labit): Peter Ludwig and Rainer Hoss rigged and descended to examine whether dye (Rhodamine B, none visible with the naked eye) had come through from Krem –>Krang Wah —it had not (Brooks, S J et al. 2005 Mss: Diary2005.doc). 2005.02.26, trip 19 (Synrang Labit): Anthony 'Tony' R. Jarratt (2005.03.06 Mss: Cave Log, vol. XII: 23, 26/2/05) and Peter Ludwig: The aims of this trip were to check for the fluorescein from Krem Krang Wah, to put more of it in the downstream section in an attempt to get a trace through to Ngap and to de-rig the cave … We first went downstream for a couple of hundred metres and chucked in the dye before heading up the main stream inlet by-pass and then into the stream passage itself –again for a couple of hundred meters. There was no visible trace o the Krang Wah dye. We then headed out with Peter de-rigging as he went and walked back to the camp with heavy loads in a cold wind. Brooks, S J et al. (2005 Mss: Diary2005.doc) confirms that Peter and Tony checked incoming water for dye (none visible with the naked eye) and put more dye (Rhodamine B) in the downstream passage. 2007.02.19, trip 20 (Synrang Labit): The big push in Krem Synrang Labbit involved Mark B, Henry R, Phillippa and Quentin who reached the impressive M.A.A. Chamber in 3 hours. They pushed on through draughting passage heading NE, the Kit Kat Trail, but ran out of time and emerged at 2.30am after a 14-hour trip (JARRATT & DAWSON 2007). 2007.02.24, trip 21 (Synrang Labit): Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt, Amanda 'Mandie' or 'Mandy' Edgeworth and Neil Pacey rebolted down the shaft into Krem Umthloo and went upstream in Letter C Gallery to push a flatout crawl in mud to a calcited aven containing some mushrooms. They continued the crawl to muddy aven, then enteed the side of a passage in the west end of Krem Synrang Labbit. They derigged on the way out. This combined 'Southern ridge system” is now 18 km long and thus the third longest cave in India (Brooks, S J et al. 2007.03.01 Mss: Diary2007.doc). SPELEOMETRY 2007: Survey length: 3,933.39 m; vertical range: 111.57 m (+0.00 m / - 111.57 m). 2008.02.17, trip 22 (Synrang Labit): Rolf Siegenthaler, Shary Ghazi (Sharareh Ghazy), Axel Rosen and Jean-Pierre Batholeys surveyed the 111.57 m of the connection from Krem Um Thloo to Krem Synrang Labbit (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Sunday 17th February). SPELEOMETRY 2008: Survey length: c/o Krem –>Umthluh (Tongseng). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Caves nearby

Distance (km)NameLength (m)Depth (m)
0.1SYNRANG LABIT, Shnongrim, 2nd (Krem)
0.1JRI, Shnongrim, 2nd (Krem)
0.2JRI, Shnongrim, 1st (Krem)
0.3MUL DOLOI (Krem U)
0.3SYOI 1 (Larsing Sukhlain 2002) (Krem)
0.3SYOI 2 (Larsing Sukhlain 2002) (Krem)
0.3SYOI 4 (Raplang Shangpliang 2008)
0.4SYOI 3 (Raplang Shangpliang 2008) (Krem)
0.4SOH SYLLE (Gebauer 2002) (Krem)