Pitulim Cave, Hermon
- Grid ref.
- 224868/303096
- Location
- East of Northern Border Cave and on the southwest side of doline 26.
- Elevation
- 2071 m above sea level
Cave mapView the map (PDF)Description of the cave:
Pitulim Cave was found in the previous Hermon survey and its details appear in the booklet Nikrot Tzurim No. 16, p. 53:
"...Despite the proximity of the cave to the dolomite outcrops, it developed in the gray limestone - massive limestone, relatively poor in fractures compared to other areas on Hermon, and containing chert concretions. Because of their resistance to dissolution they generally stand out inside the cave. In the limestone of the cave, clay horizons several centimeters thick are exposed from time to time.
Pitulim Cave has a stepped longitudinal profile (Frumkin 1984). The chimneys are similar to other vadose caves in Israel. The passages are developed in this cave to an exceptional degree. On the walls and floors of the cave spaces small depressions (scallops, bogli, 1980) are common, with dimensions of millimeters to several centimeters. The morphology of the cave is distinctly vadose, evidence that the cave developed high above the water table."
During the new survey the vadose canyon of the cave was re-mapped. During the mapping an additional part of the cave was discovered, containing speleothems and bats.
Entrance dimensions: 3X3 m.
The entrance opens in soil mixed with crushed rock. From the entrance a chimney descends to a depth of about 11 m, to the level of the vadose canyon - B.
At the junction of the canyon and the entrance chimney there is a split into three routes:
A. Down - to another chimney that descends a few more meters until it reaches the deepest point in the cave.
B. North - up the flow channel, to the upper part of the vadose canyon that crosses the entrance chimney.
C. South - down the flow channel, to the lower and longer part of the vadose canyon.
The vadose canyon incises in a general southeast direction. The average width of the canyon is about half a meter and its height varies, ranging from one meter to several meters. Chert lenses stand out in the walls of the canyon and on its floor there is a weak but constant flow of water that in some places forms shallow puddles. Before the end of the canyon there is a narrow opening in the ceiling of the passage, from which an inclined, stepped passage continues south, which developed along a prominent fracture rising into a wide chimney and crossing it until at its end the fracture becomes too narrow to pass. In the chimney that the fracture reaches there are a few stalactites, cave pearls and cave corals. The chimney is 15 m high and at its top there are three openings developing in different directions, which were not checked because of passability problems.
Notes:
- During the visit to the cave two insectivorous bats were observed - species not identified.
- A visit to the cave requires rappelling equipment.
- It is recommended to bring warm clothing for the stay in the cave.
- Walking in the vadose canyon is difficult and complex.
Written by: Boaz Langford
