This page was translated from Hebrew and has not been reviewed yet. The Hebrew page is the reference. עברית

Balcony Cave, Ein Alva, Nahal Gush Halav

Grid ref.: 192607/270964
Location: Ein Alva - Nahal Gush Halav
Elevation: 650 m above sea level

Description of the Cave:

Balcony Cave is a small horizontal cave built of a central passage that developed in a general east-west direction. Another narrow passage connects to this passage, developing from the central passage northward. The cave shows signs of phreatic dissolution in the form of developed dissolution domes and passages with a rounded cross-section.

The cave has a large opening (about 3X4 m) leading to a wide and high passage (A) extending north and, after about 25 m, reaching a small chamber (B). This chamber is the connection point between the cave passages. The entrance passage continues north for another 20 m in a series of small spaces (C-D) located one above the other, between which there are extremely narrow passages. Another passage extends from chamber B north for another 15 m. This passage is extremely narrow, its floor is covered with dark soil and in its ceiling there are high dissolution domes containing a few stalactites and cave deposits. At the end of this passage there is a narrow opening through which one can see a small chamber with many stalactites. This opening is too narrow to pass through, and one can dig in its floor in order to widen it.

Human Presence:

A few potsherds were found in the cave.

Animals:

Unidentified bats were observed in the cave.

Access:

Access to the cave opening requires climbing a low rock cliff (about 4 m) - in 2009 there was a rope and an iron ladder at the site.

Written by: Boaz Langford