MONKEY SKULL CAVE (aa -)
25.288800,92.497600
Description
A cave entrance without identified shape, dimensions or orientation functions as a perennially active sinkhole without identified shape or dimensions, which, according to a certain GP (note 1), drained between 22nd and 25th February 2008 estimated 1 or 2 ltrs/sec of water, which arrives from a gully (note 2) and drops into a perennially active stream cave (Rowena M. Sheen 2008.02.26 Mss amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss), which is also intersected by the so-called Krem Thapbalong Sim (Brooks 2009.03.06 Mss: Overview 2009) hat has been corrupted into a Krem Thapba Long Siem (Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss: Diary 2009.doc). Brooks (2009.03.10 Mss: Overview 2009): … Humming Monkey System … consists of two fine entrance series that descend by a series of magnificent clean washed shafts to a depth of –110 m whereupon superb river passages are reached which exit at the foot of the ridge near Umthé village. A lower entrance to Krem Shynrong Shrieh is –>Frog Cave (Umlyngdkhur),which had been alientated into a so-called Krem Gakoid / Frog Cave (Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss: Diary 2009.doc- Saturday 14th February). ETYMOLOGY: No autochthonous, indigenous or locally known name has been identified for what has been initially christened TO2a (Tee Oh Two A) or, perhaps, T02a (Tee Zero Two A) but soon was swooped for a communicable Monkey Skull Cave that somehow got -khasificationated- (clothed into Khasi words) as Krem Shynrong Shrieh which, if re-translated, either means Jackanapes Skull Cave or Primate Skull Cave as the Khasi -ka shynrong- (note 3) is a skull, an egg-shell, the timber frame of a roof (SINGH, N 1906: 201) and -u shrieh- is a jackanapes (SINGH, N 1920: 275) while -ki shrieh- is the Khasi word for both a monkey and an ape (SINGH, N 1906: 199). Accidentally created -alternative- spelling versions are Shyngrong Shrieh Brooks, S J et al. (2009.02 Mss: Diary 2009.doc),Krem Shyrong Shrieh Simon J Brooks & Mark W Brown (in: ARBENZ et al. 2008: 41: 42) BROWN & BROOKS (2008: 16); Brooks (2009.03.06 Mss: Overview 2009); WINKLER (2010: 106). At a later stage of caving it was the English -Monkey Skull Cave- that was translated into the German Affenschädelhöhle when WINKLER, R (2010: 108) had been misled to believe that Am Eingang der Kolibrihöhle wurde ganz offensichtlich ein Kolibri gesichtet und in der Krem Shyrong Shrieh (Affenschädelhöhle) ein Affenschädel. SITUATION 1: Guillaume Pelletier (in: Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) recommends to jeep to the village Tangnub, then get dropped at 25°17'17” 092°29'58” [note 4] where a large path [motorable fair weather road, 4WD track] goes towards north-west [note 5]. Follow the path and then [probably west or south-west] down the first stream you cross. The cave is 90 m at 201° from [a waypoint without GPS position somewhere on] the path (note 6). SITUATION 2008: The cave entrace of Krem Shynrong Shrieh lies not only at an unidentified walking distance south of the village of Tangub but also in an active stream bed (Brown, M. W. et al. 2008 Mss -Meghalaya 2008 diary- Friday 22rd February) with an unidentified name and falls on the grid square 9.23 Umthe (Arbenz, re-named from Umthe NE, Gebauer), which somebody re-named inadvertendly Map square: Umte (Anonymous 2008 Mss: Survey Summary). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2008.1: Gullaume Pelletier reduced this cave to a sports training device providing a 2 metres wide canyon (open sky), then ±40 m shaft. Rigging off water is easy and preferable [note 7] (Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2008.2: Rowena M. Sheen (2008.02.26 amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) adds pitches of -120 m & 1.39 km surveyed - perennial stream cave. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2008.3: An anonymous contributor reports a 36 m deep (note 8) promising 40 m+ pitch (note 9), which descends to an alcove from where a cave passage without identified shape, dimension or peculiar characteristics carries on into an ignored direction to a coule of pitches or clean washes (Brooks 2009.03.06 Mss: Overview 2009) without identified shape, dimension or peculiar characteristics, which give the impression of descending estimated 20 m to what looks like a horizontal cave passage: Upstream was a draughting choke … Downstream off the Avant Garde a 3 m wide side passage was pushed to wet rifts. Guillaume and Alys swam across the lake in the main downstream passage (Alys swam, Guillaume waded), beyond which they discovered a big chamber and continuing large passage (Brown et al. 2008 Mss -Meghalaya 2008 diary- Monday 25th February). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2008.4: Both Krem –>Thabalong Sim and Krem Shynrong Shrieh contain large sections of trunk passage … ongoing whilst an interesting Krem Shyrong [sic!] Shrieh is 1390 m in length and it is also ongoing (BROWN & BROOKS 2008: 17).CAVE DESCRIPTION 2009: The ongoing exploration and the linking of Krem Thapbalong Sim (Hummingbird Cave) and Krem Shyrong Shrieh (Monkey Skull Cave) to create [sic! a single system (named Humming Monkey System) of 5,488 m in length. This system consists of two fine entrance series that descend by a series of magnificent clean washes [or, perhaps, clean washed] shafts to a depth of –110 m whereupon superb river passages are reached which exit at the foot of the ridge near Umthé Village (Brooks 2009.03.06 Mss: Overview 2009). CAVE CONTENTS: Pelletier (in: Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) noticed nothing but steam (stream?) with ±1-2 l/sec (flow?) while Rowena M. Sheen (in: Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) observed Clay, sand, rounded gravel, clay coated walls [backup zone?], and calcite formations [speleothems], stal, curtains, flowstone. TACKLE: Sheen, R. M. (2008.02.26 amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) lists ropes in order of use 10 m, 65 m, 10 m, 27 m, 65 m, 8 slings, 14 hangers + maillons, 3 nuts, 6 screwgate + maillons, 6 snapgate carabiners buoyancy aids downstream. PROSPECTS 2008: Sheen, R. M. (in: Pelletier & Sheen 008.02.21+26 Mss) frustrates with praising lots of possible leads without showing the slightest trace of interest in bothering to explain what they look like or where they are. Guillaume Pelletier (2008.02.21 Mss: T04) suspected in connection with –>AA Cave (Tangnub 2008-4) a Poss. connection to Krem Shynrong Shrieh. PROSPECTS 2009: Brooks, S J et al. (2009.02 Mss: Diary 2009.doc) decided that Krem … Shynrong Shrieh is more or less finished (Saturday 14th February) except for a) … two leads in The Golden Age, just before the wet maze, still to do (Friday 13th February), but b) … the lead to the right of Monkey Puzzle was pushed for about 145 m past a couple of avens to wet tightness (Saturday 14th February) whilst b) … from the Monkey Puzzle, the wet maze in Krem Shynrong Shrieh, the draughting calcited aven had been tried to hammer big enough for fatter people than Damien to get into. More hammering or a thinner team is needed … (Friday 13th February) … and the calcite blockage remais blocked unless you are a pipe cleaner (Saturday 14th February). SPELEOMETRY 2009: Survey length 14,42.27 m (Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). SPELEOMETRY 2008a: According to one set of survey data (Krem Shynrong Shrieh_01), the 2008 survey yielded a survey length of 1,390.93 m at a vertical range of 123.72 m (+0.00 m / - 123.72 m). SPELEOMETRY 2008b: Brooks & Brown (2008.02.29 Mss: Overview): Krem Shyrong Shrieh is 1,390 m in length … Anonymous (undated 2008 Mss: Survey Summary) entertains with listing from the misspelled K. Shyrong Shrieh (sic!): 23.02.08 (HP, AM, GP) 88.02; 24.02.08 (HP, AM, GP, RMS) 583.58; 25.02.08 (HP, AM, GP, RMS) 485.04; 25.02.08 (TR, PG) 234.29; total 1390.93; vertical 72.25. SPELEOMETRY 2009: Brooks (2009.03.10 Mss: Overview 2009) reports … the linking of Krem Thapbalong Sim (Hummingbird Cave) and Krem Shyrong [sic!] Shrieh … to create a single system (named Humming Monkey System) of 5,488 m in length. According to Arbenz, T (2010.01 HummingMonkeyPan_1000.pdf dated 26.2.008 // 18.2.2009), the combined Humming Monkey System (i.e. Krem Shynrong Shrieh at 2833.2 m / - 141.72 m and Krem Tapbalong Sim at 2928.82 m / -141.72 m) is 5762.02 m at a vertical range of 147.72 m (+0.00 m / -141.72 m).CAVE LIFE: Rowena M. Sheen (in: Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) lists bats (Chiroptera), 20 cm fish (Pisces), huntmen spiders (Arachnidae: Aranea: Sparassidae: conf. Heteropoda sp.), crabs (Crustaceae: Brachyura) and two monkey skulls 50 m down entrance shaft. According to M.W. Brown et al. (2008 Mss: Meghalaya 2008 diary), it were Hugh Penney, Alys Mendus and Guillaume Pelletier, who noticed what appears to represent sort of monkey skulls (to be verified). Joanne -Jo- Hardy, Sujan Shubba (Leading Seaman, Indian Navy), and Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns noticed on 7th February 2009 what looked like the day roost of bats and recorded the presence of a bat nursery (Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss -Diary 2009.doc- Saturday 7th Feb 2009).s blocked unless you are a pipe cleaner (Saturday 14th February). SPELEOMETRY 2009: Survey length 14,42.27 m (Arbenz, T 2009.06.01 Mss: total 2009.xls). SPELEOMETRY 2008a: According to one set of survey data (Krem Shynrong Shrieh_01), the 2008 survey yielded a survey length of 1,390.93 m at a vertical range of 123.72 m (+0.00 m / - 123.72 m). SPELEOMETRY 2008b: Brooks & Brown (2008.02.29 Mss: Overview): Krem Shyrong Shrieh is 1,390 m in length … Anonymous (undated 2008 Mss: Survey Summary) entertains with listing from the misspelled K. Shyrong Shrieh (sic!): 23.02.08 (HP, AM, GP) 88.02; 24.02.08 (HP, AM, GP, RMS) 583.58; 25.02.08 (HP, AM, GP, RMS) 485.04; 25.02.08 (TR, PG) 234.29; total 1390.93; vertical 72.25. SPELEOMETRY 2009: Brooks (2009.03.10 Mss: Overview 2009) reports … the linking of Krem Thapbalong Sim (Hummingbird Cave) and Krem Shyrong [sic!] Shrieh … to create a single system (named Humming Monkey System) of 5,488 m in length. According to Arbenz, T (2010.01 HummingMonkeyPan_1000.pdf dated 26.2.008 // 18.2.2009), the combined Humming Monkey System (i.e. Krem Shynrong Shrieh at 2833.2 m / - 141.72 m and Krem Tapbalong Sim at 2928.82 m / -141.72 m) is 5762.02 m at a vertical range of 147.72 m (+0.00 m / -141.72 m).CAVE LIFE: Rowena M. Sheen (in: Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) lists bats (Chiroptera), 20 cm fish (Pisces), huntmen spiders (Arachnidae: Aranea: Sparassidae: conf. Heteropoda sp.), crabs (Crustaceae: Brachyura) and two monkey skulls 50 m down entrance shaft. According to M.W. Brown et al. (2008 Mss: Meghalaya 2008 diary), it were Hugh Penney, Alys Mendus and Guillaume Pelletier, who noticed what appears to represent sort of monkey skulls (to be verified). Joanne -Jo- Hardy, Sujan Shubba (Leading Seaman, Indian Navy), and Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns noticed on 7th February 2009 what looked like the day roost of bats and recorded the presence of a bat nursery (Brooks, S J et al. 2009.02 Mss -Diary 2009.doc- Saturday 7th Feb 2009).
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 2008.02.22, trip 1: Alys Mendus, Hugh Penney, Rowena M. Sheen and Guillaume Pelletier … went walking south of Tangnub … they split up into two groups, Alys and Rowena found a series of rifts and a promising pitch. Hugh and Guillaume found a pitch of 40 m+ in an active stream bed. Guillaume and Alys then went looking for more caves, and found five shafts (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: Meghalaya 2008 diary, Friday 22rd February). Guillaume Pelletier (2008.02.26 amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) dits: Found by Hugh and Guillaume en 2#/02/2008. 2008.02.23, trip 2: Hugh, Alys and Guillaume went to Krem Shynrong Shrieh, one of the sinks they found the previous day. Guillaume rigged a 36 m pitch at the bottom of which was an alcove with Monkey skulls (to be verified). The cave carried on to a further couple of pitches and they ran out of rope 20 m above a horizontal passage (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Saturday 23rd February). Rowena M. Shen (2008.02.26 amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss): Pitch rigged by Guillaume on 23/02/2008.2008.02.24, trip 3: Hugh, Alys, Guillaume and Rowena went down Krem Shynrong Shrieh. They dropped the final pitch into a large passage and surveyed some upstream**? (still going) and some downstream to a swim c.**m total (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Sunday 24th February). R.M. Sheen (2008.02.26 amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss): Alys, Rowena, Hugh & Guillaume surveyed 600 m approx. on 24/02/2008. 2008.02.25, trip 4: A. Mendus, R.M. Sheen and G. Pelletier surveyed 500 m downstream (R.M. Sheen 2008.02.26 amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss). Guillaume, Hugh, Rowena, Alys, Torben, Philippa and Mark B went to Krem Shynrong Shrieh to push upstream and downstream and take photos, including of the monkey skulls … Downstream off the Avant Garde a 3m wide side passage was pushed to wet rifts. Guillaume and Alys swam across the lake in the min downstream passage (Alys swam, Guillaume waded), beyond which they discovered a big chamber and continuing large passage (Brown et al. 2008 Mss: 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Monday 25th February). 2008.02.25, trip 5: Hugh Penney took photos on 25/02/2008 (R.M. Sheen 2008.02.26 amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss) … out of the cave and back home. 2008.02.25, trip 6: Torben Redder and Philippa Glanvill surveyed 300 m upstream (R.M. Sheen 2008.02.26 amendment to Pelletier & Sheen 2008.02.21+26 Mss). Torben, Philippa … Upstream was a draughting choke. … The cave is now derigged. Note that the hanging death boulders are still at the top of the entrance pitch (Brown et al. 2008 Mss 'Meghalaya 2008 diary' Monday 25th February). 2009.02.03, trip 7: Torben Redder, Louise Korsgaard and Robert Winkler read a GPS position for Thapba Long Siem [sic! qua: Thulong Thapbalong Sim] … and it was found to be closer towards Shyngrong Shrieh. … GPS of Shynrong Shrieh was checked and foun to be accurate (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary.doc' Tuesday 3rd). 2009.02.03, trip 8: Hugh Penney, Peter Ludwig and Bridget Hall rigged … a short way down the last pitch in the entrance series. Finding it was less straightforward than it should have been as Hugh was convinced that the path they were on could not have become so overgrown in the space of a year. They went further along the track in search of the right streamway but found they had been in the right place all along. Four new bolts were placed: One halfway down the entrance pitch for a deviation, one just below the Shark's Fin and a couple just below that for a new Y hang on the last pitch. The following group should be down at platform–9 very quickly on the next trip. Part of another skull, presumably monkey, was found on a ledge near the new deviation on the entrance pitch (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Tuesday 3rd February). 2009.02.05, trip 9: Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns, Bridget Hall (BH), Huh Penney (HP), Joanne 'Jo' Hardy (JH) and Vikram Singh Kirola (Leading Seaman, Indian Navy) … went back to Krem Shynrong Shrieh with an aim of reaching the base of the pitches and continuing the survey in the big river passage. BH rigged the last pitch putting in an additional bolt for a deviation. At the bottom of the pitch we all changed into wetsuits for the swim through the river which was thankfully short (mostly wading, 30 m swim). Hugh did a few more photos in the lovely square passage. The furthest survey station was quickly reached and our surveying began. We showed Vikram how to proceed with making survey stations. Jo did book and JP the instruments. The passage was very large and impressive. After a while the water disappeared down to the right in a small sink (too small for human but should be checked by a keen small experienced person possibly) but the main passage still continued without water. BH, JH and J-P continued with surveying whilst HP and Vikram went to do sme nice photos. A section of passage in which there was mist / fog was passed through. A bendy column formation was found and named the Leaning Tower of Pisa. HP made a funny video of JP's funny walk. After approximately 350 m of surveying BH suddenly saw some light ahead and thought it was the Humming Bird guys but realised it was daylight. Everybody dropped the survey kit and we were at 'Frog????” entrance. The passage popped out into a massive doline (unbelieve doline) with big lapiaz in the base, lianas, large trees and lots of jungle everywhere. HP and Vikram went to climb out of the doline whilst BH, JH and JP finished the last three survey legs. Some exploration of the doline was made. BH and HP explored a chamber in one side but no real leads were found in it and there were a lot of very loose boulders making it dangerous. Then we turned around as it had reached 16:30 and at least one member of the team needed to be back at the pick up by 18:00. We found a side passage (LH on return) which we started to survey and turned out to be an extended alcove. BH headed for the entrance, HP followed to place an additional bolt which was required on the bottom pitch to prevent rope rub. BH accidentally took the drill bit with her and did not hear HP in time but did descend back down a pitch to leave one at the top of the bottom pitch for the others. BH made it to the pick-up on the dot of 18:00, 45 mins from the bottom. The others returned at 20:00 and were picked up after a slight delay for the other group. What an amazing day and an amazing find with some great people. Surveyed 438.4 m (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Thursday 5th February).2009.02.07, trip 10: Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns, Joanne 'Jo' Hardy, and Leading Seaman Sujan Shubba, … added one more bolt for a final rebelay. They surveyed 222 m of very muddy passage, a big chamber and a beautiful, wide gallery. Because there was a bat nursery and some fresh air there, they searched for way out but couldn't find any. On the way out, the team met the Thapba Long Siem [i.e. Thlulong –>Thabalong Sim] team and so the two caves were joined (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Saturday 7th). 2009.02.08, trip 11: Joanne 'Jo' Hardy, Leading Seaman Vikram Singh Kirola, and Leading Seaman Bishnoi Prakash … explored a small lead opposite the large relic passage that led to a small chamber full of mud, dispelling the theory that the relic passage continued in the opposite direction. Surveyed 72.31 m (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Sunday 8th February). 2009.02.09, trip 12: Simon J. Brooks, Henry Rockcliff, and Vikram Singh Kirola … explored and surveyed leads in the upstream section of the cave. Some small extensions made and 68 m of passage surveyed (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Monday 9th February). On the other hand, Simon, Henry and Vikram went to Krem Shynrong Shrieh and explored and surveyed the remaining side passae leads in the upstream section of the cave. These proved to be mostly low and muddy and yeilded only 68 m of passage (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Monday 9th February). 2009.02.10, trip 13: Simon J. Brooks, Bridget Hall, and Karma Choki … surveyed 314.83 m in a maze of canal passages in the still ongoing downstream section of the cave, leaving many leads remaining (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Tuesday 10th February). 2009.02.12, trip 14: Simon J. Brooks, Damien Lindner and Valerie Chopard … went to the downstream wet maze area now know as 'The Monkey Puzzle' and continued exploring and surveying unpushed leads and side passages. The first side passage degenerated into a small narrow passage that intersected an aven with a strong draught coming from a watery passage on the opposite side. The way into the aven was barred by a calcite blockage which Damien managed to widen a little using a rock. Damien was then able to get through and enter th aven which was an estimated more than 20 m high with the draught coming from the passage opposite. Simon was unable to fit through and nor was Valerie due to her injured ankle so Damien returned and they surveyed another side passage before heading out of the cave. 160.36 m surveyed and more left to do (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Thursday 12th February). 2009.02.12, trip 14: Simon J. Brooks, Hugh Penney, Sujan Shubba, and Roshan Yengkhom … carried on with the survey in Monkey Puzzle, the wet maze in Krem Shynrong Shrieh, leaving only the draughting calcited aven which they tried (and failed) to hammer big enough for fatter people than Damien to get into. More hammering or a thinner team is needed. There are also two leads in The Golden Age, just before the wet maze, still to do. They were somewhat alarmed to see a small green and brown snake coiled up on a mudbank right at the end of the wet maze. Simon returned past it quite gingerly. They surveyed 117.76 m (Broks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Friday 13th February). 2009.02.14, trip 15: Simon J. Brooks, Hugh Penney, Steve Whitlock, Gregory 'Greg' D. Diengdoh and Franklyn 'Toki' Dkhar … went to Krem Gakoid (Frog Cave) which is [Krem –>Jakoid, Umlyngdkur] the lower entrance to Krem Shynrong Shrieh. They found the entrance amazingly fast considering the thick jungly lapiaz you have to cross to get there. Basically take a bearing of 012° from Umthe 2 for 140 m and hold tight, it's a bumpy ride. A possible entrance was found in the doline before Unbelieve Doline (where Gakoid [Krem –>Jakoid] is) and the Navy may have found it or something next to it from inside Umthe 2. The lead to the right of Monkey Puzzle was pushed for about 145 m past a couple of avens to wet tightness and the lead to the right of that (calcite blockage) remains blocked unless you are a pipe cleaner. Shynrong Shrieh is therefore more or less finished. Surveyed 116.61 m (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Dary 2009.doc' Saturday 14th February). 2009.02.15, trip 16: Bridget Hall and Vikram Singh Kirola … derigged Krem Shynrong Shrieh and sorted the rope out. They went to meet Jean-Pierre, Gregory and Toka at the next Canyon North after Krem Sim Rwai / Krem Sim Rit. A new shaft Easy Bird - Krem Sim Suk had been easily located by J-P … (Brooks, S J et al. 2009 Mss 'Diary 2009.doc' Sunday 15th February).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | AA CAVE, Tangnub 02b | ||
| 0.2 | AA CAVE, Tangnub 10 | ||
| 0.3 | AA CAVE, Tangnub 04 | ||
| 0.3 | RAT MOUSE CAVE (aa -) | ||
| 0.3 | AA CAVE, Tangnub 06 | ||
| 0.3 | AA CAVE, Tangnub 08 | ||
| 0.5 | Humming Cave (aa -) | ||
| 0.6 | Garden Bird Cave (aa -) | ||
| 0.6 | UMTHE, Umlyngdkhur 2c (Krem) |