Kartchner Caverns: How Two Cavers Discovered and Saved One of the Wonders of the Natural World

By Neil Miller and Neil Miller

Book Overview

It was all routine even if hundreds of pounds of earth were pressing down on their heads, even though the ceiling might potentially collapse at any moment, even if they were surrounded by a sea of darkness and had no idea what lay in front of them. Award-winning author Neil Miller soon tells us that what lay in front of amateur spelunkers Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen was anything but routine. These young men had crawled into a virgin cave, a landscape untouched and unseen for hundreds of thousands of years. In cave terminology, this underground oasis was "living"--water still seeped down the limestone walls, depositing minerals that slowly built up into stunningly beautiful formations. In a time when countless caves had been destroyed by vandals and looters who had defaced the walls and had broken formations, this pristine discovery was every caver's dream. While duplicating that moment might seem difficult, this fascinating account of the fight to preserve Kartchner Caverns lends us the same sense of awe and urgency. In an arresting tale spanning the twenty-five-year period in which Tufts and Tenen struggled to protect their find, Miller skillfully weaves together personal interviews, biographical information, political maneuvering, and geological facts. Presented in full color with dazzling photographs showcasing the natural wonder of the caverns, this is an invitation to take in the mysterious, stunning beauty of a cave as if discovering it for the first time. The triumph of the conservationists and the opening of Kartchner Caverns as a state park are known to anyone who has visited the caves as a tourist. But this narrative offers a chance to go beyond the guidebooks with its revealing look at this unspoiled natural wonder and the science of cave conservation. With as much depth and colorful detail as the caverns themselves, this page-turning account will captivate anyone interested in caves and the preservation of natural wonders.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816525161
• ISBN13: 9780816525164
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.0" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

Very helpful; exciting story

This is the personal story of the discovery, exploration, and development of Kartchner Caverns in Arizona. It's worthwhile if you are planning a trip to Kartchner, or if you have a general interest in conservation or caves. The discoverers, Tufts and Tenen, come off as "Alex P. Keaton's parents" type of people -- over-the-top sitcom stereotype. It's hard to believe they're real. But despite their... well, oddness... they come across as dedicated and sincere and determined people. Wonderful photographs emphasize the amazing discoveries.

What a secret!

This is the amazing story of two young cavers who found a pristine cave and, with the help of enlightened landowners, kept it a secret for 14 years until it could be purchased by the state of Arizona. Kartchner Caverns is a wonderful resource, an educational tool and a great example of cooperation by diverse interests who shared a common goal: the protection of the cave. Miller details the process and the personalities. Thanks to his research and writing skill, we can feel the discoverers' excitement, frustration and, finally, satisfaction.