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Local Gems
A Chat With John Ackerman
Interview by J. Ray
Brown
GF = greenfete.org |
JA= John Ackerman
GF: John Ackerman, what
is the definition of "Karst"?
JA: Simply put, karst is a word to
describe a landscape that is characterized by soluble bedrock, like
limestone. Slightly acidic rain dissolves the bedrock over time and creates
a dynamic system of caves, sinkholes, springs and sinking streams.
GF: What was the
defining moment for you; the "ahha"
that made you realize that you wanted to pursue cave exploration?
JA: Actually there was no defining moment. I have always been
incredibly curious about those vast expanses below our feet. Even as a young boy I was drawn to
explore what had been hidden since the beginning of time.
GF: Are you able to say
the word "Speleogical" 10 times in
succession without messing it up? If I look at it too long, I am entranced
by the endless possibilities of its pronunciation. What is the correct way
to say "Speleogical"? And how would you
explain it's meaning to, say… a Kindergarten group?
JA: Actually it gets easier to say the more times you say it. If you
know your pronunciation symbols it is helpful to know that in both cases
the letter e is pronounced i. In other words,
both e’s are pronounced
like the e’s in the word bee. Any word that begins with speleo pertains to caves. For instance: Spelelogical
means the study of caves. Speleothem means cave formations. Spelegenesis
means the process of origin and development of caves. Spelunker is a slang
term to describe a caver. Hey, if I were addressing a group of
kindergarteners I don’t think I would even mention any of these words to
them. I would keep it simple and discuss cave formations, cave exploration
and things cave related. You know - things they may remember.
GF: Briefly, how did
each of the caves get named as they did?
JA: Each cave is usually named for its most prominent feature, its
location feature or a phrase that best describes the cave.
GF: John, how many caves
have you traversed in your lifetime?
JA: The answer would be many hundreds across the U.S and other countries. How many caves have I actually discovered
I do not know. Enough that I have lost count.
Enough so that the thrill and privilege is so completely overwhelming that
I continue to pursue my quest to locate and explore unknown cave systems.
GF: Based on the
historical information on your website, regarding the Spring Valley Caverns, we
see that the property changed hands several times. This is no different
than many parcels in the area. What both interests and perplexes me, are
the various re-assignments of the Contract for Deed. Can you clarify what
transpired in the years between 1975 and 1983? The way I read it, Miliner paid off the CFD, but had simultaneously
reassigned it to Eilders. Should it not have been
Eilders that paid off Grems?
JA: Understand that it was common for folks to purchase
properties using Contract For Deeds.
Many times this contract could be transferred to another-and another
until the payoff time was due. I
believe this is what occurred here.
GF: On estimate, how
many visitors are introduced to the Karst
Preserve each year?
JA: Oh, I am not sure, you see, my caves are really not promoted to the
public. All of the caves I have discovered (and own) remain in their
natural condition except one. Spring Valley
Caverns was discovered and commercialized in the 1960’s. The discoverer (who was also the
landowner) spent a great deal of effort to groom the trails and open the
cave to the public, but after a short stint the business failed. It
remained boarded up until I purchased the property in 1989. Soon thereafter I discovered over 5 miles
of additional incredible passages. Due to the prominence of this cave
system, I constructed a unique building over the entrance of the cave. Now
I allow non-cavers to tour and explore the formally commercialized section
of the cave.
Scientists and cavers have access to the rest of the cave
system along with 31 other caves on the property that I have discovered
with the help of fellow cavers. I would
guess that last year about 500 students, scouts, scientists and cavers
visited Spring Valley Caverns. This is the
largest privately owned cave in the state.
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GF: Do you have a set
fee for individuals and groups for tours?
JA: Recently the “Sportsman’s
Law” (referred to as Minnesota
Statute section #604A.21) was amended to include caving and rock climbing.
Before that I was forced to pay $4,000.00 every twelve months for liability
insurance. To offset this fee I asked visitors to pay $10.00 each to help
defray this cost. Now that I am immune from liability arising from any cave
related accident I see no reason to charge visitors.
GF: What is the next
project slated for the Preserve?
JA: There are no “next”
projects! There is only a continual
stream of on-going projects. My
passion is discovering large cave systems, making them available to
researchers, and securing them for future generations to study and enjoy.
To date I (Minnesota Karst Preserve) own 5 cave preserves that encompass
36 caves, which provide access to over 33.5 miles of incredible cave
passages. There are over 500 scenic
surface acres and 1,126 acres of additional subterranean rights. Every time
myself and fellow cavers make a significant discovery on private land I
work as hard as I can to purchase the cave system so that it can be
protected and available for future generations. Before I forget…discovering
caves is a joint effort. Many dedicated cavers have shared my vision and
have assisted me throughout the years. Cavers Dave Gerboth
and Clay Kraus have been instrumental in making all of this a reality.
GF: Maybe not so obvious
to the general public, but evident to me, is the funding issue. I could
surmise that the life of a cave explorer includes profound fiscal concerns.
It takes a lot of money, coupled with sweat-equity, to explore, maintain
and promote any natural resource. How does it all work?
JA: First of all, digging
deep into unstable ground, diving through bone chilling coffee-black water
and using high explosives in an attempt to discover a cave is outright
dangerous. Sane people don’t do
it. I lost all of my 9 lives just in
the first several years pursuing this activity. I am acutely aware that I
continue to cheat death. I have literally come within seconds of loosing my
life due to cave-ins, near drowning incidents, rock falls, and a host of
other unexpected incidents. If
finding caves were easy everyone would be doing it. For me, the pay offs have been worth the
risks. You ask about the fiscal
matter. I lived in my car while
putting myself through college. During that time I held part time
jobs. Eventually I started my own
business and my workaholic drive and vision paid off. That has enabled me to spend one or two
million dollars pursuing my passion.
Last I heard nobody has been able to transport their money to
heaven. That is why I will be turning over the karst
preserve I have established to a suitable entity.
You ask about maintaining the cave preserves. I consider
myself the temporary steward of these phenomenal underground wonderlands,
and as such I take the role very seriously. I am “over the top” regarding
keeping and maintaining the surface acreage and underground caverns
pristine.
GF: I saw a t-shirt
design yesterday that spoke to me as an environmentalist. It
said..."Keep the planet clean...it's not Uranus!" I am still
laughing about it today. As funny as it was, it really encapsulates what I
feel as a caretaker of the Earth! John, what would your t-shirt say?
JA: It would say in bold black letters:
HE MUST BE STOPPED. I laugh, because the DNR has repeatedly said
this about me. To put it mildly, they are somewhat miffed that a private
individual can discover, own and manage such a significant chunk of
resources-and do it without intimidation or elitist control.
And
finally…
GF: For many of us, our
passion for nature becomes our lifestyle, our religion and ultimately our
legacy. What, John
Ackerman, is your legacy?
JA: You are correct. Our
passion for nature becomes our lifestyle, and perhaps even our religion.
When I walk through subterranean passages for the first time I often
examine the distinctive rock layers from the floor of the cave all the way
to the ceiling. The layered walls serve as a 400-600 million year old
geologic record of time. I am in awe as I attempt to comprehend that our
existence is recorded only as a pinprick in time. Now, for me, that is a
religious experience.
My legacy will be what I leave
behind for others to explore and ponder.
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