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Jebel Garah Caving
| The high walls of the caves of Jebel Garah, coupled with the cool limestone walls and gentle breezes, create an unusually soothing atmosphere on a hot day |
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Jebel Garah, also known as Ash Shab'an Mountain - which means 'The Satiated', is surrounded by rivers and palms. The mountain hosts large, high caves which maintain a constant temperature so that they are cool in summer and warm in winter. 13km east of Al-Hofuf, Jebel Garah is named after a large, well-known eastern village.
Located near Hofuf are an intricate network of above-ground limestone cave systems which rise above the date palm orchards as a series of very deep and narrow joint-controlled fissures in a massive limestone outcropping. Most passages open to the sky, but cool air settles in the fissures and breathes out from the impressive entrance.
One series of caves are named Ghar Al Hashshab (cave of the arrow maker) is particularly impressive with towering canyons and labarynthine interiors. As you enter, you can feel the cool air rushing from inside. Passages are narrow in places with dark openings along the way. Walking in and out takes about 20 minutes but with a good flashlight there is much more to explore.
The Saudi Caves project can be found at: www.saudicaves.com |
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