CHONGIPA TSANGSIM SAGAKOL

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The entrance (4 m wide and 2 m high) leads to a solitary passage and chamber. Compare the –>Mingsingkol (Minsingkol) in the Rongra valley, which is possibly the same. ETYMOLOGY: According to MADHUSUDAN, M.D. (note 1), the Garo -chongipa- is a Himalayan goral (Nemorrahaedus goral) but Colin Rogers (2001.03.21 personal communication) was led to believe that Tangsim Chongipa Sagakol (Rogers 2001.03.21 p.c.) translates into Blue Lake / Lagoon Cave while Andrew P. Taylor (2001.05.25 Mss) recorded Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol as the cave name (note 2). SITUATION: According to Colin Rogers (2001.03.21 personal communication), the entrance lies (note 3) at a distance of about 50 m from —and above— a certain Blue Lagoon (in Garo: Tsangsim Chiwari?), a larger pool in the Mahadeo nala. Both Chongipa Tsangsim Chiwarikol or Skangipa Tsangsim Chiwarikol and –>Gnigipa Tsangsim Chiwarikol are said to lie above the eastern (orographically left) bank of the Mahadeo River. APPROACH 1 (Rogers 2001.03.2, personal communication) recommends to take a rough track from the [Balpakram] Forest I.B. [Inspection Bungalow] and office, through the forest car barrier and follow the east side of a huge valley [note 4]. Sign saying Deobinwa (Blue Lagoon) where the peak Chimitap [note 5] is visible at 320° and a signpost appears on the right. Descend the forest trails for three quarters of an hour. The cave entrance lies 50 m from the [Karnoi / Karnai] river and 210 m above [the left / eastern bank] of the river. APPROACH 2 (Andrew -Andy- Peter Tyler 2001.05.25 Mss -Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol- 25/05/01): At an estimated halfway (unspecified distance) along the fair weather road from the Balpakram forest headquarters to the Helipad, there is a path of unknown length that leads in an unknown direction to the right (sic! perhaps for: left = east) and downhill to a spot in the Mahadeo (sic! for: Karnoi) River valley, where there is a large pool of unknown dimensions on another right (downstream?) Upon approaching the site, the cave lies directly ahead 50 m above and away from the river. CAVE DESCRIPTION (Andrew -Andy- Peter Tyler 2001.05.25 Mss -Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol- 25/05/01): The 4x2 m entrance slopes down a 10x6x20 m rocky passage. To the left is a 5x3x13 m chamber. Ahead is a 3-8x2-5x50 m passage which ends in a boulder choke. From the chamber is a small flood overflow passage. PROSPECTS (Andrew -Andy- Peter Tyler 2001.05.25 Mss -Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol- 25/05/01): Extendable by digging. CAVE CLIMATE: At an undisclosed time, Andrew -Andy- Peter Tyler (2001.05.25 Mss: Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol) noticed an air current with no specified direction and recorded a good draught., personal communication) recommends to take a rough track from the [Balpakram] Forest I.B. [Inspection Bungalow] and office, through the forest car barrier and follow the east side of a huge valley [note 4]. Sign saying Deobinwa (Blue Lagoon) where the peak Chimitap [note 5] is visible at 320° and a signpost appears on the right. Descend the forest trails for three quarters of an hour. The cave entrance lies 50 m from the [Karnoi / Karnai] river and 210 m above [the left / eastern bank] of the river. APPROACH 2 (Andrew -Andy- Peter Tyler 2001.05.25 Mss -Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol- 25/05/01): At an estimated halfway (unspecified distance) along the fair weather road from the Balpakram forest headquarters to the Helipad, there is a path of unknown length that leads in an unknown direction to the right (sic! perhaps for: left = east) and downhill to a spot in the Mahadeo (sic! for: Karnoi) River valley, where there is a large pool of unknown dimensions on another right (downstream?) Upon approaching the site, the cave lies directly ahead 50 m above and away from the river. CAVE DESCRIPTION (Andrew -Andy- Peter Tyler 2001.05.25 Mss -Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol- 25/05/01): The 4x2 m entrance slopes down a 10x6x20 m rocky passage. To the left is a 5x3x13 m chamber. Ahead is a 3-8x2-5x50 m passage which ends in a boulder choke. From the chamber is a small flood overflow passage. PROSPECTS (Andrew -Andy- Peter Tyler 2001.05.25 Mss -Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol- 25/05/01): Extendable by digging. CAVE CLIMATE: At an undisclosed time, Andrew -Andy- Peter Tyler (2001.05.25 Mss: Skanggipa Tsangsim Chiwari Kol) noticed an air current with no specified direction and recorded a good draught.