This cache is an easy park-n-grab. It's hidden at the turnoff to an old road near Ein Gedi that once led to the Dead Sea, but has since been closed off due to the sink-holes. I made it a park-n-grab since I don't want anyone to feel they must do something dangerous. Sink-holes are genuinely dangerous, and you should only explore this area in a tour with an experienced guide!
Sink-holes develop in 4 stages:
Stage 1: Initial collaps
This is the most dangerous stage, since you might not notice anything suspicious until the surface collapses under you!
Stage 2: The hole grows and becomes more circular.
At this stage it's very dangerous to walk near the edges. The edges are often sloped inwards (a negative slope) so they might literally have no structural support below them.
Stage 3: The hole matures
Over time the hole broadens and deepens, the edges slope outwards and ground water fills the bottom of the hole. The water comes from fresh or salted, hot or cool springs. The water will likely contain a high concentration of minerals such as Sulfur and Bromine, accompanied by their distinctive odor and dark color, respectively.
Stage 4: Sinkholes merge
At its final stage, the hole grows to the point that it merges with neighboring holes and creates a giant irregular-shaped sinkhole. Ultimately the hole will reach the Dead Sea, at which point the water inside it will begin free-flowing into the Dead Sea.
