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Kartchner Caverns: How Two Cavers Discovered and Saved One of the Wonders of the Natural World
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.
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.
- GenresNonfictionNature
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 3, 2020
Provides a lot of the history on the site, including the efforts of some people to preserve the caverns and to help enable the public to visit. Without their long-term dedication, it's likely the site would be a privileged secret at best, or trashed at worst.
February 8, 2026
Very interesting read about the discovery and development of Karchner Caverns. Too bad I had to cancel the trip to see it.
Worth reading if you have any interest in caves. The whole mystery of the development of the park should interest many people. Well written.
Worth reading if you have any interest in caves. The whole mystery of the development of the park should interest many people. Well written.
January 22, 2009
I found this book for sale at Kartchner Caverns. It also has amazing pictures. I also toured the cave and am very thankful for the opportunity to do so without crawling on my belly though bat guano. This is basically the account of how anybody is able to walk through this cave that nobody wasn't discovered until 35 years ago.
Of particular interest to me was the discovery, the people who discovered it, and the political methods used to make this a state park.
The author doesn't assume that you know anything about caves, geology, or politics. At the same time, he doesn't alienate people from both these areas (I am a geoscientist who works in government and didn't fing things too basic at all). I think Miller pulls this off by focusing on the people and their roles in this story.
Of particular interest to me was the discovery, the people who discovered it, and the political methods used to make this a state park.
The author doesn't assume that you know anything about caves, geology, or politics. At the same time, he doesn't alienate people from both these areas (I am a geoscientist who works in government and didn't fing things too basic at all). I think Miller pulls this off by focusing on the people and their roles in this story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews