The Chandelier Ballroom
These twenty-foot-long gypsum crystal formations have become the hallmark of Lechguilla Cave. Until they were discovered in 1988, it was believed that this rare formation could only grow to a length of six feet. (photo by Peter Jones)

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Nirvana
This area is in the Eastern Branch of the cave, and was named for the profusion of beautiful formations found here. The name “Nirvana” comes from a mythical land free from distractions. The two strips of orange flagging tape on the floor keep visitors on the trail and away from delicate areas. (photo by Peter Jones)

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Dave Bunnell
Dave has been caving since 1972. As a project caver and cave photographer, he has caved throughout the U.S. and participated in international expeditions to Mexico, Belize, Borneo, and Papua New Guinea. He has been the editor of the NSS News - the monthly magazine of the National Speleological Society - since July, 1996. His award-winning photographs are well known throughout the caving community. Dave manages a web-graphics design house from his residence in California (http://www.goodearthgraphics.com) and also has a web site devoted to his excellent collection of cave photographs from around the world, including many from Lechuguilla Cave, at http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/under_earth.html.

Dave Bunnell
P.O. Box 879
Angels Camp, CA 95222
(209) 736-1689

Lake Castrovalva
This area is claimed by many to be the most beautiful area of Lechuguilla Cave. The chamber can only be reached by making a 150-foot long swim down a water-filled corridor. At the far end of the waterway, the room opens into the 100-foot wide chamber shown here. (photo by Dave Bunnell)

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Lake of the Blue Giants
This deep-blue lake owes its color to its depth. In an effort to find submerged passages, a team led by Dave Bunnell carried dive gear almost 2 miles into the cave. The lake proved to be over 80 feet deep, but had no promising passages. (photo by Dave Bunnell)

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Norm Thompson
Norm has been doing cave photography since 1974. He has had numerous cave photos published in books, magazines, newspapers, calendars, museum displays, and videos. A long-time member of the Colorado Grotto, Norm is well known both for his photos of Colorado caves and Lechuguilla Cave. He also does nature photography when he is not busy lugging thirty pounds of camera gear underground..

Norm Thompson
(303) 665-9831

Aragonite Bush
Don Kluever poses by one of the larger aragonite bushes in Lechuguilla Cave. This one is found in the Great Beyond room in the eastern branch of the cave. Although aragonite is common in Lechuguilla, it is rare in most caves. (Norm Thompson photo)

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Soda Straw Room
These pencil-thin stalactites are called soda straws from their size and the fact they have a central canal through which mineral-laden water flows. Although it is not uncommon for soda straws to grow three to five feet long, the ones in this room are as long as 15 feet. (Norm Thompson )

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Steve Reames
As one of the co-authors of Deep Secrets, Steve has been involved with Lechuguilla Cave since 1987. See his biography in the section About The Authors.

Manifest Destiny
This chamber in the Western Borehole is over 200 feet across and features three six-foot-tall gypsum stalagmites. (photo by Steve Reames)

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The Leaning Tower of Lechuguilla
This fifteen-foot-tall stalagmite is encrusted with aragonite crystals. The pillar stands in the middle of the Western Borehole and is a well-known landmark to travellers in the cave. (photo by Steve Reames)

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Subaqueous Helictites
These unusual spelothems were first discovered in Lechuguilla Cave in 1987. Each tendril has a central canal that carries mineral-laden water that deposits calcite on the tip of the helictite. The carbide headlamp lends scale to the photo. (photo by Steve Reames)

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