TETENGKOL, Nengkhong
25.320800,90.630600
Description
Two seasonally active, south-east facing cave entrances (almost round, adjacent to each other, and about a metre in diameter), which function as overflow exsurgences, give access to the lower reaches of Tetengkol. This perennially active stream cave that drains waters arriving from inlets in the approximate north via a dendritic system of subhorizontal cave passages to exsurgence entrances (less than 3 m above the left / western bank of Chibe River) on the front of a downstream maze functioning as a subterranean estuary with eight known human-sized entrances, of which the correspondingly south-east facing –>Balwakol entrance is the northernmost (about 190 m north-east and 4 m higher up) and the most prominent (3.5 m wide, 2.5 m high). The vertical cave development is partly controlled by a series of generally thin shale intercalations, which guide and separate at least three distinct cave levels (each partly active) and control the flat-spanned and apparently nearly horizontal ceilings of passages and chambers. Some 10 m inside the cave, a small stream is encountered, which runs more or less parallel to the Chibe river, and which was found to sump 130 m downstream (south-west) from the entrance. Going upstream (initially north-east), one first encounters a maze of stooping to walking sized, joint controlled stream cave passages of vadose origin. Further inside, the galleries gain size and tend to follow meandering paths. A few collapse chambers (up to 30 m wide, 20 m high and 60 m long) have developed where passages undercut shaly interstrata and cause ceiling collapse resulting in shingle heaps which occupy a generally central position in cave chambers oval in ground-shape. There are very few calcite formations. When first visiting the cave system in February 1994 and December 1995, most of the predominantly vadose cave passages were clean-washed. During the 1997 rainy season, however, a landslide event (note 1) on the surface above the cave's upper reaches (cf.. –>Mihmang Chiring) caused extensive modification to the infill situation and resulted in widespread "muddifications" of the Tetengkol - Balwakol cave system, plugging, for example, each and every whirl pool and completely burying the small lakes, which formerly had dotted the way in, under a wall--to-wall carpet of washed-in mud. ETYMOLOGY: The Garo »balwa« is the "wind" and the »teteng« of the Garo folklore is a smallish kind of earth-spirit, not necessarily malevolent but rarely positively inclined (no man or woman ever survived seeing one), and characterised by peculiar inverted features, including feet pointing backwards, shadows cast towards the sun, etc. (note 2). SITUATION: The pair of almost circular entrances to Tetengkol (two adjacent entrances, each about a metre in diameter, and separated by a rock-pillar) and Balwakol (120 m upstream from Tetengkol) lie some 4 km north of Nengkhong village (note 3). The best approach to the cave is by walking up the Chibe River from Nengkhong. It takes about 10 minutes to cross the paddy fields to the mouth of Chibe river gorge (where a pair of two small hot springs of 32°C and 35°C rise from sand at the base of rock faces on the river banks) and another 1/2 hour along a fisherman's path negotiating the river bed and right (west) bank (note 4). The final part of the way consists of a perched concrete path (note 5), which leads to an iron ladder descending to the modest Tetengkol entrances above an obvious ledge in the west (east-facing) wall of a limestone gorge. According to JOHNSON (1994a: 19; 1994b; 1995: 9-10), »The walk-in takes about an hour. The route at first crosses paddy fields and then enters the jungle following the Chibe Nala gorge. The Noc-ma [note 6] … lead us up the river. We followed over large banks of sand and shingle, the river soon narrowing into a gorge, its steep, craggy limestone walls jungle clad, alive with birds and monkeys. We passed two ho springs (32 and 35 degrees Celsius) before the river became a succession of isolated pools as it started to play that exiting game of hide and seek that quickens the pulse of any explorer. Eventually we arrived at a spectacular stretch of the Chibe Nala, the river here runs in a series of deep, blue-green pools, liberally decorated with huge blocks of limestone and pure white sand banks. The eastern side of the gorge consists of massive slabs of rock rising almost vertically and set with an impenetrable jungle; the western side is a continuous wall of rock, in which the almost round 'Hobbit' hole entrance of Tetengkol is to be found.« BROOKS & SMART (1995: 45) explain that »The cave is approached by walking northwards up the Chibe Nala river valley [note 7] from Nengkong [sic! for: Nengkhong] village by following the path used by local fishermen.« CAVE DESCRIPTION (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 42-43): »The small, circular, 1 m diameter entrance leads to a stooping height passage that gradually enlarges and meets (low water conditions) a small stream [note 8]. This streamway … can be followed downstream for approximately 130 m to a low sump [note 9]. Upstream, a maze of joint controlled stooping and walking size passages lead via two independent routes (the main route containing a small stream) to a four way junction and the main stream passage [note 10]. To the right [south-east], the effective downstream continuation of the main stream passage, is a large, walking size, sandy tube that quickly reaches a T-junction. To the left [sic!], a series of joint controlled passages lead back to the Tetengkol main entrance, whilst to the right [sic!] a low, wide bedding passage emerges after only 20 m in the side of another passage. To the right [east?], a chamber and then a climb down leads via Jenny's Jewel Box, a well decorated chamber, to passages emerging in the side of the gorge [above the right / north-west bank of the Chibe] as entrances 6 and 7 [note 11]. To the left [north-west] a larger passage runs north-west for 30 m to another junction. Left [initially west, later south-west] leads back to the four-way main street junction, whilst to the right [north-east] a junction and then a canal passage emerges after approximately 100 m at the surface as the Balwakol entrance [note 12] … Away [north-west] from the Balwakol entrance, the passage passes under a large, dry breakdown chamber, beyond which a series of interconnecting walking size passages all lead back to the main stream passage at various points. The upstream section of the main stream passage carries an active stream (low water conditions) and has the occasional deep pool [note 13]. It gradually enlarges to an impressive, 7 m wide and over 15 m high river passage and at 600 m from the entrance ends in [sic! for: arrives at the meeting of] a rift / pot that contains a waterfall and an easy 8 m climb up into an impressive chamber, the up to 30 m wide, estimated 20 m high and 60 m long Planetarium [note 14]. Along the main stream passage, various joint-controlled oxbows [note 15] exist in addition to two climbs up which gain a pair of flat-roofed Planetarium style chambers opposite across each other. From the top of the 8 m climb [above the 6 m waterfall], the huge Planetarium is traversed, crossing the piles of slabs and boulders littering the floor, to reach a large abandoned trunk passage that leads off from its northern end [note 16]. This large (12 to 15 by 6 m) trunk passage contains a small stream that meanders between large silt banks and can be followed northwards for over 300 m. At a point approximately 150 m from the Planetarium, a large passage leads off to the right [north-east], followed by another, smaller passage also on the right [south-east] after another 50 m. The first right-hand [NE] passage crosses a large chamber, at the far side of which a complex series of interconnecting passages is reached [note 17]. Bearing to right [the 2nd, SE], a short passage leads to the upper end of another trunk passage, Paula's Parallel Universe [note 18], and two other passages. The spacious Paula's Parallel Universe (8 x 4 m) can be followed in a south-easterly direction for over 200 m to a junction [note 19]. The larger left-hand [north-east] passage becomes gradually larger and divides again but has not been pushed to a conclusion [note 20]. The smaller right-hand [south-west] is of mainly walking size, dividing at its lower end. The right-hand [north-west] links to the Planetarium [note 21], whilst the left-hand [initially straight ahead south-west, later south and eventually north-west] leads to a chamber where two windows open into the roof of the mainstream passage some 400 m downstream of the 8 m climb into the Planetarium [note 22]. The second right-hand passage leads to the large chamber mentioned above, passing under some loose boulders in the roof on the way and across the top of a smooth, 11 m deep pot, that appears to drop to a lower passage [note 23]. At the head of the trunk passage running northwards from the Planetarium, a rift passage to the right [north-east] ends in a boulder collapse, whilst to the left [south-west] a small passage loops back round to rejoin the trunk passage at mid point. From the head of Paula's Parallel Universe, there are a choice of three main ways on. The right [south-west] leads to a pool, beyond which a complex series of passages that are running initially in a north easterly direction, pass under a huge and very unstable looking block, to reach a small, south west trending streamway that eventually becomes too low. The passage straight ahead [north-east] leads to an interconnecting maze of passages with avens rising to holes in the roof. The left-hand branch [south-west] leads back towards the upper end of the planetarium trunk passage. However, before this is reached, it is possible to take a side passage and climb up large boulders in a rift to enter a high level chamber [BJ's Agoraphobia Chamber]. From the north east end of this lofty chamber a large passage can be followed to reach a series of smaller, joint controlled passages / inlets. At the south western end of the chamber, a pot in the floor is crossed to reach an inlet that runs northwards for over 250 m, ending in a smooth sided, 20 m high aven with water entering.« As regards the vicinity of BJ's Agoraphobia Chamber, Brian JOHNSON (1994a: »Page5« = 23; 1994b; 1995: 13) narrates in greater detail how he »… looked under a low arch at the side of the passage, and there between easily moveable boulders was a big black space. Having dispatched the boulders and ascended an easy climb up, I found myself in another huge chamber (Brian's "I'm sorry I think I've found a way through the boulders" Series). With the floor of this chamber consisting of huge slabs some 15 m across and the roof a large, unsupported. malevolent presence, it is not surprising that conversations were carried out in whispers. We commenced surveying the chamber where a small stream was found tumbling into a shaft which occupied most of the floor area. Traversing round the unstable lip, we entered a fine stream passage. This was followed, passing several (unentered side passages for about 200 m. At this point, the passage had diminished to a high, narrow, inclined rift, requiring sideways travel. Just when we were about to give up, we popped out at the base of a clean washed, elliptical shaft, its fluted walls rose sheer for at last 20 m, the stream reduced to a fine spray by its fall from passages as yet unseen. Returning to the … Agoraphobia Chamber, we continued our survey only to be seduced yet again by the sound of a stream. This time, the stream passage only went for 30 m to a wide, high rift, with the water cascading from an obvious passage about 10 m above. Completing the survey of Agoraphobia Chamber, we found ourselves in a passage about 10 to 12 m square. This was followed to where it split into several smaller passages, none of which were pushed to a conclusion.« As regards the streamway (beyond the awe inspiring crawl underneath a suspended boulder at the head of Paula's Universe), »that eventually becomes too low« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 43), we learn more details from JOHNSON (1995: 12): »… a 4 m tube entering P.P.U. [Paula's Parallel Universe] 2 m above a blue-green lake … continued past inlets before becoming a wide bedding plane [controlled cave passage] with an uncomfortable quantity of cobbles partially filling the passage. After a few metres of crawling, we entered a complex of high rift passages, mostly ending in … boulders. One rift, however, continued to where one boulder seemed to be blocking the passage but closer examination revealed a low space beneath the boulder.« At a T-junction beyond the boulder to the »left« (north-west), a passage leads to 20 m of »of fine cave to a partial calcite fill almost blocking the passage« but »other direction« (south-east) beyond the boulder »… soon developed into a lovely little streamway (Hidden Streamway) about 3 m high by 1 m wide, with waist high ledges well decorated with columns added to its appeal. We followed for about 120 m until further progress would have required crawling. Returning to Simon's Series [note 24] to look at some of the wide open (walking sized) leads, the first passage … soon became partially blocked with gravel reducing it to 1.5 by 3.5 m. Following gently down slope, we encountered standing water and although the passage size remained the same, the air space slowly diminished. Expecting the passage to sump at any moment, I cautiously pushed on ; after about 60 m the air space had reduced to 10 cm and I was about to give up when the roof started to rise. Unfortunately it was only a junction chamber [from where], to my left, an uninviting passage lead back towards Simon's series (later confirmed) and on the far side of a deep pool a low, wide passage lead on. Returning through the low air space canal, my [carbide] lamp started to play up. Just when I was beginning to feel a little bit lonely, a VERY LARGE white fish, panicked by my presence, rushed straight at me like something out of "The Black Lagoon". This generated some colourful expletives and a name for Brian's Biggest White Fish Ever Passage.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003: »Die Höhle ist 5,3 km lang, wasserdurchflossen und enthält im vorderen Teil hübsche Tunnelgänge. Den hinteren Teil erreicht man über einen schwierigen Kletteraufstieg ins "Planetarium", eine Halle, die in ihren Dimensionen ans Wubadrom erinnert. Danach verzweigt sich die Höhle stark und wird in den höheren Partien von frischem Nachbruch geprägt« (Jantschke 2003 Mss "Fahrtenbericht 2003.doc" entry 22./23.2.03). PROSPECTS 1994a: »Tetengkol … has at least 27 ongoing leads« (JOHNSON, B 1994a: »Page5« = 23; 1994b; 1995: 13). PROSPECTS 1994b: »This fine cave system … has several possibilities for further extension« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 43). CAVE LIFE: Apart from fish (Pisces), shrimp (Palaemonidae) and crab (Brachyura), which had been noticed when the pools and streams inside Tetengkol - Balwakol were explored and surveyed in February 1994, the only obvious cave fauna that struck the eye (not very hard), were a few spiders (Aranea: Arachnidae), bats (Chiroptera), and one toad (conf. Bufo). As regards rock dwelling species of palaeontological interest, I could not resist picking three of the better specimens of many Eocene sea urchins (Bryozoa) from among the fist-sized pebbles covering the stream bed in Parallel Paula's Universe, but these (the urchins) were, in February 1994, rather bald and also quite dead.
NOTE 1: Hemason M. Sangma (1997.11.17 personal correspondence), the Nokma (village headman) of Nengkhong, had written a letter informing that »… during the rainy season of the year 1997, a portion of the surface above Tetengkol went down, leaving in the process a big crater …« --the –>Mihmang Chiring. NOTE 2: To make himself understood by cavemen on the islands of western Europe, JOHNSON (1994a: 19; 1994b; 1995: 10) draws attention to »the almost round 'Hobbit' hole entrance of Tetengkol … alternatively interpreted as Dwarf Cave, Earth Spirit Cave or Elf Cave.« NOTE 3: Just south of the wooden (before 1972; ruined in 1994 and 1995, under repair in 2003) Rongdik Bridge (N25°17'28”: E90°39'01” Everest 1830): 45 m asl (Survey of India sheet 78-K/11 edition 1973) on the road from Baghmara (20 km) to Siju (12 km), a road forks off towards the west. This road (under construction in 1972, saw it December 1996 partly black topped, but by February 2003 it was already riddled with potholes) ends after about 5 km at the cluster of Nengkhong villages which are indicated (±250 m, Everest 1830) on the Survey of India sheet 78-K/11 (edition 1973) at elevations around 85 m asl (±15 m) Nengkhong Dorotading N25°18'05”: E90°36'32”), Nengkhong Rangmatma (N25°18'17”: E90°36'40”) and Nengkhong Chibigiri (N25°18'30”: E90°37'00”). NOTE 4: Walking upstream along the right (western) bank of the Chibe, the hidden entrance to –>Matchakol is passed a few hundred metres before reaching Tetengkol. NOTE 4: Some time between 1996 and 1997, this concrete path was erected (financed) by the governmental Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to attract tourists to the entrance. NOTE 5: »Noc-ma« (JOHNSON 1994a, 1994b, 1995) means a Garo "nokma" or »village headman« and, in this case, Hemason M. Sangma, the Nengkhong village headman, on one occasion »a short wiry man dressed in flip-flops, shapeless trousers rolled up to the knees, ill fitting jacket and carrying an ancient, single-barrel shot gun tied to a piece of string over his shoulder« (JOHNSON 1994a: 19, 1994b, 1995: 9-10). NOTE 6: Both the Garo "chi" and the Bengali "nala" mean »river« and »valley« but the outlandish "Chibe Nala River Valley" translates simply into »River Valley [of the] Be River Valley's River Valley« or, to be precise, into »Valley [of the] Be River Valley's River Valley River« NOTE 7: JOHNSON (1994a: »Page1« = 19; 1994b, 1995: 10) has the first 10 m »clean washed, finely scalloped« and reaching a »small stream«NOTE 8: JOHNSON (1994a: »Page1« = 19 to »Page2« = 20; 1994b, 1995: 10) narrates having »pushed downstream« without surveying and enjoyed recreational adventure tourism in a passage slowly diminishing in size till it reduced to flat-out crawling in the stream. NOTE 9: JOHNSON (1994a: »Page1« = 19 and »Page2« = 20; 1994b, 1995: 10) »… set off upstream in slightly larger passage traversing about 150 m of joint controlled development. … Some 20 or 30 m of stooping later, the passage began to enlarge and we were soon strolling along a two metre tube. This fine passage ended suddenly at a junction with a superb river passage. This jocking [sic!] piece of cave … zoomed off into the darkness.« NOTE 10: JOHNSON (1994a: »Page4« = 22; 1994b, 1995: 12) narrates how a second passage, which had been »… discovered by Jenny, lead through a chamber, well decorated with multi-faceted calcite formations (Jenny's Jewel Box), to two other daylight entrances. A low, wide passage, completely lined with sharp calcite crystals, was found heading north from Jenny's Jewel Box but it was only pushed for 20 painful metres.« NOTE 11: JOHNSON (1994a: »Page4« = 22; 1994b, 1995: 12) narrates how, on 23rd February 1994, »… we decided to have a close look at the passages running parallel to the down stream of Brooks Street, we … dropped down through breakdown to a 2 by 3 m ongoing passage. This fine passage was followed until standing water was encountered. We pushed on in a deepening canal when, on rounding a bend, we saw daylight through a wide arch. This entrance fitted the description we had been given of Balwakol (Wind Cave).« NOTE 12: Once more setting off on his own and leaving the survey team behind, JOHNSON (1994a: 20) covered within a walking distance of 250 m »… about half a kilometre, passing many side passages, some of them beautiful 3 m tubes. Deep pools had developed wherever the passage changed direction.« NOTE 13: JOHNSON (1994a: »Page2« = 20; 1994b, 1995: 10) reported »… that the passage ended at a 6 m waterfall which had a big black space above it. … I tried to climb up to the higher level. Having negotiated a route, I found myself in a very large chamber (The Planetarium) … With a quick shout of "I'm up" over may shoulder, I gave in to exploration madness and set off across the chaotic mass of boulders which was the chamber floor. The boulder pile proved to be "interesting" for at one point, whilst descending the unstable 50 degree slope, I found myself "surfing" a table sized slab into the unknown.« NOTE 14: Oxbow: »Abandoned loop of a stream course. Original usage, applied to surface rivers, describes short-circuited meander loops but in caves the term is applied to dry loop passages of any shape and origin« [LOWE & WALTHAM 1995: Dictionary of karst and caves.- ISBN 0-900265-9-1]. JOHNSON (1994a: »Page4« = 22 and »Page5« = 23; 1994b, 1995: 12-13) narrates how on 26th February 1994 »… one uninspiring passage was entered and surprisingly went on to yield 200+ metres of new cave. This passage (Hole In The Roof Passage) runs parallel to and in several places connecting with Brooks Street, it also posses a frustratingly unentered passage at the top of a smooth 4 m aven.«NOTE 15: JOHNSON (1994a: »Page2« = 20; 1994b, 1995: 10-11) »On the far side of the [Planetarium] chamber, a huge passage (Upper Brooks Street) 20 m wide and 10 m high curved away into the distance.« NOTE 16: JOHNSON (1994a: »Page3« = 21; 1994b, 1995: 11) »The ongoing passage was followed until it suddenly ended in [sic! for: gave access to] a complex area of cross rifts and smaller passages.« NOTE 17: Around February 1994, a certain Paula kept Brian Johnson as her stage of life partner and was not happy to see him entertaining himself instead of her. Personally, however, I do not know how far this unfortunate Paula's reputation was modified by honouring her in sports caving newsletters* which report successful entrance entering and passage penetration. The "parallel universe" bit is possibly a hint indicating that intergalactic communication is as easy as people understand each other. * Belfry Bulletin (Priddy: Bristol Exploration Club) 48, 1 (Dec. 1994): 19-26; Radbroke Hall Caving Club Journal (Radbroke Hall: Radbroke Hall Caving Club), 7 (Dec. 1994): 8-22. NOTE 18: JOHNSON (1994a »Page3« = 21; 1994b, 1995: 11): »Following one of the passages leading off the chamber, Daniel walked into a massive passage (Paula's Parallel Universe) running parallel to Upper Brooks Street. We surveyed down this passage clicking off 30 m legs until it bifurcated.« NOTE 19: JOHNSON (1994a »Page3« = 21; 1994b, 1995: 11): »We followed the left-hand [north-east] passage for a few metres until the infill forced us to crawl. Leaving it ongoing, we returned to the junction.« NOTE 20: JOHNSON (1994a »Page3« = 21; 1994b, 1995: 11): »… the alternative route … eventually led to the Planetarium.« NOTE 21: JOHNSON (1994a »Page3« = 21; 1994b, 1995: 11): »The right-hand route [initially straight ahead south-west, later south and eventually north-west] continued in fine style, passing one major junction and finally opening into an impressive chamber high in the roof of Brooks Street. Having no means of descending from this point, we returned to the last junction and tried the alternative route …« NOTE 22: JOHNSON (1994a »Page3« = 21) »… a clean washed vertical rift about 10 m; having no rope we were unable to descend and had to reluctantly abandon this lead.« NOTE 23: Each and every of the 112 series comprising the speleotopographical survey of Tetengkol - Balwakol is in my own survey book but I cannot figure out what Brian Johnson means with »Simon's Series« (JOHNSON (1994a, 1994b, 1995).NOTE 24: As a sports caver in search of recreational adventure tourism, JOHNSON (1994a: 21; 1994b; 1995: 11) finds competent »exploring and surveying at the same time very hard. To be on the end of a tape with unexplored passage calling you on is difficult to resist.« It may have slipped from his attention that surveying and exploring is basically one and the same: A bird does not explore the air only because it flies.
Documents
Bibliography 08/06/2016- Bhattacharji, Romesh 2002; Brooks, Simon J 1997b, 2000b; Brooks, Simon J & Smart, Christopher M 1995; Johnson, Brian 1994a, 1994b, 1995; Director of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya s.a., circa 2003; Kharpran Daly, Brian D 1996, 2002, 2004, undated circa 2005, s a 2006; Marak, Prosper 2008.09.25; Smart, Christopher M 1995a; Laloo, Minimon 1999.
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1994.02.17, 18, 23, 23 and 26: H. Daniel Gebauer (book), Simon J. Brooks, Jennifer 'Jenni' or 'Jenny' A. Brooks and Brian Johnson mapped 5,160 m (4,717.34 m to grade 4b plus 443 m to grade 2b). 1994.02.17: Guided by Hemasong M. Sangma (Nengkhong Village Headman), H. D. Gebauer (book), Jennifer 'Jenni' or 'Jenny' A. Brooks (tape), Simon J. Brooks (compass & clino) commenced mapping and exploring Tetengkol (Chibe Nala) in company with Brian JOHNSON (1994a, 1994b), who not only rushed in, had a quick look around and pushed off or pushed on, but also went off, rushed upstream, and gave in to »exploration madness« (read: entering unmapped cave passages without tape) and set off, etc. (note 24) According to BROOKS & SMART (1995: 21), they »… departed from Siju to drive south to Nengkong« (sic! and »… began the exploration of Tetenkol [sic!] in Chibe Nala valley« and left in the evening for »Baghmara and stayed overnight in Circuit House.« 1994.02.18: Hemason M. Sangma (Nengkhong village headman) tells the cave names »Balwakol« and »Matchakol« (Tiger Cave) to Simon J. Brooks and H. D. Gebauer. H. D. Gebauer, Jennifer A. and Simon J. Brooks continued mapping Tetengkol while Brian Johnson "explored" (ran away). »Stayed once again in Baghmara overnight« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 21). 1994.02.22: »Simon, Jenni, Daniel and Brian organised more fuel and then drove to Nengkong [sic!] village and continued the exploration of Tetenkol [sic!]. Stayed overnight in Nengkong [sic!]« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 22). 1994.02.23: »Simon, Jenni, Daniel and Brian continued the exploration of Tetenkol [sic!]. Stayed overnight in Nengkong [sic!]« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 22). JOHNSON (1994a: 21): »23 Feb. We returned to Nengkong [sic!] with the intention of staying in the village for the next few days, thereby saving on travelling and having more time for caving. The villagers were very pleased at our return and soon found us a place to sleep (the mustard seed store).«1994.02.25: »Simon, Jenni, Daniel and Brian continued the exploration of Tetenkol [sic!] and made a brief visit of the nearby Matchakol cave« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 22). 1995.12.09: Simon J. Brooks and Christopher M. Smart in company with Lindsay B. Diengdoh, Kyrmen 'Hope' C Hiwot Passah and Estelle Sandford, along with one »Bamun« (Bamun Para, Tura) and an unidentified »local police man« (unidentified: from one of the Siju villages), »… explored and surveyed some unpushed leads in Tetenkol [sic!], adding further to its length« (BROOKS 1996: 31) while mapping 174.76 m of survey legs in the vicinity of the southern end of Paula's Parallel Universe (1995 total: 5,334.56 m). BROOKS (2000: 1) confirms that »Tetengkol …was [in 1995] extended further to 5335 metres and remains, currently, the longest in the Indian subcontinent, with the promise of even more cave passage.« 1995.12.10: According to BROOKS (1996: 31), »Our plans to extend the length of Tetengkol even further were completely knackered … as our bus driver, due to over-indulgence of rice beer, was ill.« Brooks, S J confirms: »10-12-95 Bus driver ill, so return trip to Tetengkol abandoned« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 31). 2003.02.22-23: Simon J. Brooks, Georg Bäumler and Lindsay B. Diengdoh "surveyed" (sports caver standards) 346.27 m to a degree yielding a "survey" (survey leg length total of 5,680.83 m) but no cave survey (cave plan). Jantschke (2003 Mss "Fahrtenbericht 2003.doc" 22./23.2.03 ) narrates how »… Einige Fragezeichen, die wir uns vorgenommen haben, sind … nicht mehr erreichbar. Außerdem scheint sich vor kurzem eine Schlammflut durch die Höhle gewälzt zu haben, die einzelne Gänge verstopft und andere knie- bis knöcheltief mit einem braunen Brei gefüllt hat. In genau so einem Gang beginnt unsere Vermessung. Zu allem Überfluss ist die Oberfläche noch mit einer zentimeterhohen schwarzen Flüssigkeit überzogen, teilweise wohl Fledermausguano. Nach zwei Messzügen berichtet Schorsch von vorn, dass man sich nun vollends in die Suppe legen müsste, um weiterzukommen. Simon erfasst die Situation und fragt in feinstem Englisch: 'George, you want me to go ahead?' Schorsch brülllt erleichtert: Oh yes, please – und glaubt eigentlich nicht an ein Weiterkommen. Simon kann die Stelle aber rechts in einem kurzen Umgang vermeiden – zwar immer noch sehr übel, aber wenigstens nicht bäuchlings. Dahinter entlohnen 200 m neuer Gänge die Mühe, dann setzt ein versinterter Versturz [speleothems] dem Vorwärtskommen ein Ende. Wir vermessen noch einige Seitencanyons am Ende des Hauptgangs und ziehen uns kurz vor Mitternacht ins Biwak zurück, das wir in einem trockenen Seitengang etwa 500 m hinterm Eingang aufgeschlagen haben. Die Temperatur liegt bei geschätzten 25 Grad, stundenlang sitzen wir ohne Kleidung herum, ohne dass sich ein Frösteln einstellt. Eigentlich wollten wir ja nur Bisquits und Wasser mitnehmen, aber aus den Rucksäcken von Schorsch und Lindsay quellen Bierflaschen, hartgekochte Eier, Müsli-Riegel und Schokolade. Müde sinken wir schliesslich in tiefen Schlaf.Morgens ist eine ausgiebige Photo-Session angesagt … Gegen Mittag purzeln wird dann wieder aus dem Eingang und mehr oder weniger direkt in den Fluss, gepiesakt von Hunderten lästiger Sandfliegen, die trotz ihrter Winzigkeit empfindlich stechen. Auf dem Rückweg nehmen wir einen neu anglegten Weg auf halber Hanghöhe, der aber auch schon wieder überwuchert und teils weggespült ist.« 2008.09.25: MARAK, Prosper (2008.09.25) points out that »South Garo Hills is home to the famous Siju Cave, which is at present, being threatened by coal mining near the cave area …«
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | MATCHAKOL, Nengkhong Chibigiri | ||
| 0.9 | MIHMANG CHIRING | ||
| 1.1 | PAROAKOL, Nengkhong Chibigiri | ||
| 1.5 | DOBHAKOL, Nengkhong Chibigiri | ||
| 1.7 | MAKKREKOL, Nengkhong Chibigiri | ||
| 2.3 | DOBHAKOL, Nengkhong Matmagitik | ||
| 2.6 | AA CAVE (Harper 2008) no. 21 | ||
| 2.6 | DOBHAKOL, Nengkhong Jantagiri | ||
| 2.9 | ASAKOL |