Caving Potential of Israel and the West Bank

[gmod]Split from the Archaeological remains of the Bar Kokhba. Revolt in the Te?omim Cave Topic in Cave Science[/gmod]


I have spent a lot of time in Israel and the West Bank for work over the past few years, and it has always seemed to be an area with caving potential - possibly with depth, since the highest hills are around 1,000 m ASL and look like limestone all the way through. Anyone know whether there is much there?

Our grotto chair is from Israel and does have some fun stories of spelunking there including some scary stories as there is a lot of sandstone...which is highly unstable and prone to collapse. PM me and I will give you his contact information. There is actually a sea cave right on the Lebanon border of which some kids unbeknownly crossed the border getting to it and had a lovely surprise upon their return! As far as I understand from him there is no organized caving there and it's just not something you do other than those who wish to explore (sounds like oftentimes not that smartly, either!)

Don't forget the Ark of the Covenant is still up for grabs http://uktv.co.uk/yesterday/episode/listing_id/176006919/channel_id/3866

There are certainly records of caves (and cavers!) in the Dead Sea are going back a long way.

It seems that there were some disgusting types who weren't averse to having a dump in a cave even then!

Have a look in 1 Samuel chapter 24...

I can think of all sorts of sensible reasons not to travel to the West Bank, but there are caves in Lebanon.

Caves in Jordan too.

Iran too... But none of these places would I travel to right now.

There is enough bang in South Wales (T. D. power!) without going out of your way to find overkill BANG imho.