SYRTAP, 1st (Boycott 2004) (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A so-called large (note 1) collapse doline (Boycott, Antony 'Tony' 2004.02.12 Mss: Krem Moo Sata) without identified dimensions is called by various similar names (note 2) and lies somewhere on the eastern side of the Shnongrim Ridge. ETYMOLOGY: The Khasi noun -ka satap- -- apparently corresponding to the Synteng -ka syrtap--- is a space between strata of rocks; a crevice (SINGH, N 1906: 184) and Thomas Arbenz (note 3) tells me the proper name is Krem Syrtap (Cave [between] Strata) and is pronounced Krem Sartap because the Synteng letter -y- is pronounced like an -a- (note 4) but I do not know whether like an -a- as in -far- or as in -fat- ? Barbara Anne am Ende (2007.02.09 Mss: -Krem Moo Sata 2- dated 09 Feb2007) was obviously overconfident with simply stating that -sata- is a local name when actually it is a technical term. ARBENZ (2008 Fieldbook: 68) decided to use rather the Khasi -satad- than the local Snteng -syrtap-, did not consider the entrance doline as a Krem Syrtap on ts own (Krem Syrtap 1 Boycott 2004), and listed Krem Moo Satap (1) (Krem Moo Syrtap 2 Ende) next to Krem Moo Satad Riat (Krem Moo Syrtap 3) (Krem Moo Syrtap 2 Boycott). SITUATION 1 (Boycott, Antony 'Tony' 2004.02.12 Mss): Carry on S.E. from Rift Sink (note 5). SITUATION 2 (Anonymous, probably Bayley 2004.02.18 Mss: Amendment to Boycott 2004.02.12 Mss): Partial forest & some clear areas [in Khasi: ram] which has been cleared for planting crops. Some fencing is visable [sic!] from top of entrance. POSITION: Boycott, Antony 'Tony' (2004.02.12 Mss -Krem Moo Sata- dated 12/2/04) positions Krem Moo Sata at N25°21'03.1”: E92°31'25.1” (WGS84 ±8.4 m) but Arbenz, T (2008.01.14 Mss -Re: Tausend Moskitos-) points out that this position is the position of Synrang Ngap (Krem –>Synrang Ngap). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1 (Boycott, Antony 'Tony' 2004.02.12 Mss): Doline, estimated 40 m deep, 40 m diameter. Steep [deleted: North] south end needs descent. [deleted: South] North end full of recent ut vegetation so descent would be difficult. Possible passage seen at bottom south end, also possible high level passage. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2 (Bayley 2004.02.18 Mss: Amendment to Boycott 2004.02.12 Mss): Able to view from 3/4's of the top of doline — care needed on climb down. Descended in doline, which had a dry sump at the bottom. PROSPECTS: Boycott, Antony 'Tony' (2004.02.12 Mss): Excellent unless drops into Synrang Ngap. CAVE POTENTIAL: Bayley (2004.02.18 Mss: Amendment to Boycott 2004.02.12 Mss) points out a Futher drop through loose boulders at side, ca. 5 m undescended. Not draughting at all. Rocks dropped in sound like dropping on dirt floor. Not considered worth investigating further. Possible passage is 1/2 way down Doline, but looks like inlet from gryke system above the Doline. Not promising.ts own (Krem Syrtap 1 Boycott 2004), and listed Krem Moo Satap (1) (Krem Moo Syrtap 2 Ende) next to Krem Moo Satad Riat (Krem Moo Syrtap 3) (Krem Moo Syrtap 2 Boycott). SITUATION 1 (Boycott, Antony 'Tony' 2004.02.12 Mss): Carry on S.E. from Rift Sink (note 5). SITUATION 2 (Anonymous, probably Bayley 2004.02.18 Mss: Amendment to Boycott 2004.02.12 Mss): Partial forest & some clear areas [in Khasi: ram] which has been cleared for planting crops. Some fencing is visable [sic!] from top of entrance. POSITION: Boycott, Antony 'Tony' (2004.02.12 Mss -Krem Moo Sata- dated 12/2/04) positions Krem Moo Sata at N25°21'03.1”: E92°31'25.1” (WGS84 ±8.4 m) but Arbenz, T (2008.01.14 Mss -Re: Tausend Moskitos-) points out that this position is the position of Synrang Ngap (Krem –>Synrang Ngap). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1 (Boycott, Antony 'Tony' 2004.02.12 Mss): Doline, estimated 40 m deep, 40 m diameter. Steep [deleted: North] south end needs descent. [deleted: South] North end full of recent ut vegetation so descent would be difficult. Possible passage seen at bottom south end, also possible high level passage. CAVE DESCRIPTION 2 (Bayley 2004.02.18 Mss: Amendment to Boycott 2004.02.12 Mss): Able to view from 3/4's of the top of doline — care needed on climb down. Descended in doline, which had a dry sump at the bottom. PROSPECTS: Boycott, Antony 'Tony' (2004.02.12 Mss): Excellent unless drops into Synrang Ngap. CAVE POTENTIAL: Bayley (2004.02.18 Mss: Amendment to Boycott 2004.02.12 Mss) points out a Futher drop through loose boulders at side, ca. 5 m undescended. Not draughting at all. Rocks dropped in sound like dropping on dirt floor. Not considered worth investigating further. Possible passage is 1/2 way down Doline, but looks like inlet from gryke system above the Doline. Not promising.