LABIT, Daistong (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Two comparatively large (sic!) cave entrances without identified size or shape give access to a sink and perennial stream cave. ETYMOLOGY: The Synteng (Khasi) -Krem Labit- translates as Bat Cave (note 1). SITUATION: One of the two cave entrances lies in a rocky amphitheatre, in an area of giant grykes covered by jungle, and at the western foot of the Nongkhlieh Ridge above the eastern (orographically right) bank of the Litang Valley, and on the eastern slope of a tributary valley (no name known) that comes down from the village of Daistong.. POSITIONS: E? N25°19'24-: E92°34'16- WGS84, Garmin Etrex (Laumanns 2003.02.22 Mss: Krem Labbit, Daistong); E1 N25°19.408': E92°33.119' WGS84, Garmin Etrex (Jarratt 2003.02.10 Mss: Cave Log); E1 N25°19'24.5”: E92°33'07.1” – - – (transcribed); E1 N25°19,08': E92°34,20' WGS84, Magellan XL (Jarratt 2003.02.10 Mss: Cave Log); E1 N25°19'04.8”: E92°34'12.0” – - – (transcribed); E2 N25°19.370': E92°34.113' WGS84, Garmin Etrex (Jarrtt 2003.02.10 Mss: Cave Log); E2 N25°19'22.2”: E92°34'06.7” – - – (transcribed); E2 N25°19.62': E92°34.19' WGS84, Magellan XL (Jarratt 2003.02.10 Mss: Cave Log); E2 N25°19'37.2”: E92°34'20.4” – - – (transcribed). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003.1: One of the two entrances is a seasonal sink (about 8 m wide and high) which drains water accumulating between the grykes in monsoon time. The well proportioned main passage (with a relic, abandoned inlet from the left without identified direction) branches off into a maze of rift passages with no further ways on. A comparatively small stream enters the maze (in the dry season, February 2003) from the north and sumps again after a few metres. Calcite formations (speleothems) are rare but physioklastic sediments (mud, sand, rounded gravel and breakdown) are found in places in the main passage and in the inlet (Laumanns 2003.02.22 Mss: Krem Labbit, Daistong, 22.03.03). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003.2: An other cave surveyed [is] the impressive Krem Lbbit [now Labit] near Daistong, across the Letein [Litang River] valley. This huge but short (451 m) system is one of few visited here -- there are at least 13 more to be looked at! (JARRATT 2003). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003.3: Krem Labbit Diestong [sic!] … several hundred metres of large passage explored by locals (Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt (2003.02.10 Mss -Logbook- 11: 8, oline: mcra.org.uk/logbooks/?dir=jrat accessed 2008.12.05). CAVE LIFE: Laumanns (2003.02.22 Mss: Krem Labbit (Daistong)) observed at least two varieties of Horseshoe bats (Chiroptera: Rhinolophus var.) including a very tiny variety, large toads (Bufo) near one of the two entrances, and large numbers of small, round-headed (male) millipedes (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Trachyjulidae: Trachyiulus mimus Silvestri 1924?) under a small bat roost near one of the entrances.bbit [now Labit] near Daistong, across the Letein [Litang River] valley. This huge but short (451 m) system is one of few visited here -- there are at least 13 more to be looked at! (JARRATT 2003). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003.3: Krem Labbit Diestong [sic!] … several hundred metres of large passage explored by locals (Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt (2003.02.10 Mss -Logbook- 11: 8, oline: mcra.org.uk/logbooks/?dir=jrat accessed 2008.12.05). CAVE LIFE: Laumanns (2003.02.22 Mss: Krem Labbit (Daistong)) observed at least two varieties of Horseshoe bats (Chiroptera: Rhinolophus var.) including a very tiny variety, large toads (Bufo) near one of the two entrances, and large numbers of small, round-headed (male) millipedes (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Trachyjulidae: Trachyiulus mimus Silvestri 1924?) under a small bat roost near one of the entrances.