UM SNGAD SINK

History

EXPLORATION HISTORY: 2007.02.17: At last, on the 17th … Peter L. and Thomas [Thomas Arbenz, Peter Ludwig] recced and mapped in the rarely visited area around Krem Umsngad at the opposite end of the Ridge (JARRATT & DAWSON 2007). 2007.02.19: Arbenz, T (2007.02.21 Mss) and Brian D. Kharpran Daly discovered the insurgence cave on their own in the course of a surface mapping and reconnoitering tour: Thomas and Brian K D went walking and followed the dry Um Sngad river, which led to a gorge about 6 m wide and 15 m high with trees wedged in it; this ended at the base of a cliff with 2 holes with a 5 m climb down into a large passage (Brooks, S J et al. 2007.03.01 Mss: Diary2007.doc). According to JARRATT & DAWSON (2007), … Thomas and Brian K.D. followed the dry Um Sngad riverbed through a gorge to reach two flood-prone cave entrances below a cliff with a 5 m climb down into a large passage. 2007.02.20, trip 1: Arbenz, T (2007.02.21 Mss), Brian D. Kharpran Daly, Peter Ludwig, Shelley A. Diendoh and Maxwell Syiem surveyed and mapped 187 m in the first (upper) level, leaving oxbows (bypasses) and side passages open. Three leads down to the second (lower) level started with one survey leg (series) each. According to JARRATT & DAWSON (2007), Peter L, Thomas, Max, Shelley, Fraser and Brian K.D. explored and videoed. Large washed in trees were a hazard. 2007.02.22, trip 2: Simon J. Brooks (undated 2007.02.27 Mss) and Peter Ludwig explore 191.64 m in side passage. According to Brooks, S J et al. (2007.03.01 Mss: Diary2007.doc), Peter and Simon followed one of the leads in Krem Sngad; a small passage and also surveyed quite a tight crawl with cobblestones which was an oxbow. The passage sumped after 100 or 150 m. According to JARRATT & DAWSON (2007), Peter L. and Simon surveyed in Sngad River Sink and reached a sump. 2007.02.22, trip 3: Joe H. Duxbury, Robin F. Sheen and Mark E. Tringham explore + survey 513.96 m in Lower Level (Brooks, undated 2007.02.27 Mss). According to JARRTT & DAWSON (2007), Robin, Mark T. and Joe were in the same area. 2007.02.27, trip 4: Brooks (undated 2007.02.27 Mss) and Peter Ludwig explore / survey 513.96 m in Lower Level. 2007.02.27, trip 5: Georg Baulmer [Georg Bäumler], Reiner Hoss [Rainer Hoss], Pete Glanville [sic! instead: Peter Glanvill] explore / survey 137.2 m in side passages near the entrance (Brooks, S J undated 2007.02.27 Mss). According to Brooks, S J et al. (2007.03.01 Mss: Diary2007.doc), literally quoted, Georg, Rainer and Peter G some side passages in a maze near the entrance and surveyed 137 m. 2007.02.27, trip 6: Simon J. Brooks and Peter Ludwig … were surveying in the same area and got 235 m. 2007 total: Length: 1259 m. Vertical range: ±25 m (+6,9/-18). 2008.02.24, team 1, trip 7: Katharina 'Kate' Janossy, Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns, Ksan Kupar 'Ronnie' Mawlong and one … PT [perhaps Pastor Syieh, the so-called local caver from Shnongrim] surveyed the downstream leads at the south end of the system to reah a mud choke where he cave finished. 330 m of passage surveyed with one main (wet) lead left open (Brown et al. 2008 Mss 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Sunday 24th). 2008.02.24, team 2, trip 8: Simon J. Brooks, Peter Ludwig and Shary Ghazi (Sharareh Ghazy) … surveyed side passages upstream from Excalibur passage. 188 m of passage surveyed. (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Sunday 24th). 2008.02.26, team 1, trip 9: Simon J. Brooks, Peter Ludwig and Shary Ghazi (Sharareh Ghazy) … went to Umsngad sink. Simon, Peter and Shary surveyed the remaining side passages upstream from Excalibur passage and amended the previous years survey to remove discrepancies. 183m of passage surveyed (Brown et al. 2008 Mss 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Tuesday 26th).2008.02.26, team 2, trip 10: Torben Redder and Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns … went to Umsngad sink … surveyed the downstream wet lead beyond Excalibur passage and the remaining dry passages, one of which crossed a pool and continued for apprximately 90 m beyond the end of the final survey point and is ongoing. Total surveyed 195 m (Brown et al. 2008 Mss 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Tuesday 26th). 2008 total: Length: 2,566 m. Vertical range: ±60 m (+12.00/-48.00). 2009.02.05, trip 11: Thomas Arbenz, Peter Ludwig, Brian D. Kharpran Daly, Bishnoi Prakash and Biranchi Narayan Bola found the road to the entrance was tricky, one hour and 10 minutes by jeep; a skillful driver was required but they had one so all was well. They walked down the dry river bed for five minutes but found the old entrance was blocked by debris and so had to look for a new entrance. Also, a wooden ceiling at the entrance had collapsed. A ladder was used for a 5 m drop to the cave floor. While advancing through the cave, the Indian Navy guests were given a basic lesson in cave genesis. In several places, the cave had changed significantly from the previous year due to monsoon flooding. Eventually, the party arrived at last year's furthest survey statio. Here, there was an aven, which required exploration, but after only two bolts it was apparent that it did not go. The quite prominent main passage also could not be followed because mud and gravel choked the passage completely. The new 6 mm multi monty screws were used and performed well holding Thomas' 95 kg with no problem! Time was running late and so an exit was made with a small investigation of the 'question marks” en-route --all of which could be ticked off as too tight or blocked passages. The mystery, however, remains: Where does the whole river go to ? (T. Arbenz in Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary.doc' Thursday 5th February). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018