Nutty Putty Cave Map [hot] Today
Nutty Putty Cave Map a historical survey document primarily valued today for its role in virtual recreations and for providing context to the tragic 2009 accident
. Since the cave is permanently sealed and serves as a memorial, the map is no longer used for physical navigation but remains a key resource for researchers and those interested in the cave's complex geology. Map Overview & Technical Details
The most widely recognized map was produced from a 2003–2004 survey. Brandon Kowallis How to Read and Understand the Nutty Putty Cave Map
The map of Nutty Putty Cave serves as both a historical record of a popular caving destination and a somber memorial to the tragic events of 2009. Originally drafted in 2003 by cartographer Brandon Kowallis, the map covers 1,355 feet of the cave's surveyed length, reaching a depth of approximately 145 feet. Understanding the Layout
The standard map is a plan view, showing the cave as if seen from above. Because the cave is "hypogenic"—featuring complex, three-dimensional passages that loop and overlap—the map uses specific markings to guide the viewer:
Dotted Lines & Gray Areas: Indicate where passages overlap on different vertical levels.
Cross-Sections: Small diagrams showing the physical shape of a passage at a specific point.
"tt" Markings: These denote passages that were too tight for surveyors to explore further. nutty putty cave map
The Legend: Explains symbols for various formations and survey stations used to measure the cave. Critical Locations on the Map
The map highlights several notorious tight squeezes that gave the cave its reputation:
The Big Slide: A steep descent near the entrance leading to the "Maze."
The Birth Canal: A famous, very tight horizontal squeeze that many cavers used as a rite of passage.
Ed's Push: The area where John Edward Jones tragically became trapped in 2009. Contrary to some early reports, he was not in the Birth Canal but in an unmapped, vertical fissure near Ed's Push. Accessing the Map Today
Since the cave was permanently sealed with concrete following the rescue attempt, the physical location is no longer accessible. However, historical and educational resources remain available:
High-Resolution Versions: Official high-res PDF maps can still be purchased from Brandon Kowallis's website. Nutty Putty Cave Map a historical survey document
3D Models: For those wanting to see the vertical extent not captured in the 2D plan, 3D reconstructions provide a rare view of the cave's steep, 45-to-70-degree drops.
Virtual Reality: Modern VR experiences like "Cave Crave" allow users to explore the layout digitally.
Here’s a detailed, informative post regarding the Nutty Putty Cave map, written for clarity and respect for the site’s history.
Title: Understanding the Nutty Putty Cave Map: A Guide to Its Layout and Tragic Legacy
Body:
Nutty Putty Cave, located west of Utah Lake in Utah County, was once a popular but highly technical wild cave. It was permanently closed in 2009 following the tragic death of caver John Edward Jones. While the cave is now sealed, its map remains a critical tool for understanding why it was so dangerous—and what went wrong.
Below is a breakdown of the cave’s layout based on the official Nutty Putty Cave map (surveyed by the Timpanogos Grotto). Title: Understanding the Nutty Putty Cave Map: A
Decoding the Danger: What the Map Doesn't Tell You
While the Nutty Putty Cave map accurately depicts the distances and directions, a 2D piece of paper cannot convey the physiological demands of the cave.
The critical detail missing from most public versions of the map is the orientation of the passages. Nutty Putty is primarily a fracture cave. The passages are mostly narrow, horizontal slots. To navigate, you must turn your body sideways, or flatten yourself into a "caterpillar crawl" (belly-down, pushing with toes).
The map shows the "Main Branch" as a relatively straight line. In reality, that line represents a passage that in some places is only 10 inches high and 30 inches wide.
After the Tragedy
Following the 2009 accident, authorities permanently sealed Nutty Putty Cave. The map is now a historical artifact — studied not for navigation, but for lessons in humility and risk. Modern cavers use it to discuss:
- Map resolution vs. real-world danger – A line on a map may hide a vertical drop or an impossible squeeze.
- The need for real-time survey data – GPS doesn’t work underground; old maps have blind spots.
- The psychology of route-finding – Cavers tend to trust the map even when the passage feels wrong.
Key Features of the Map
The cave is a hydrothermal maze cave, not a typical solution cave. Its passages are narrow, angular, and often dead-end. Major areas include:
- The Entrance (The Slide): A steep, smooth, 15-foot slope that immediately drops into a small chamber.
- The Birth Canal: A long, tight, S-shaped crawl—one of the first major obstacles. It’s narrow, twisting, and requires complete commitment.
- The Big Slide: A slick, 40-foot decline of solid rock. Fun for experienced cavers, but a fall here would be serious.
- The Molar Passage: A wide but short room with rounded walls (shaped like teeth, hence the name).
- The Ed’s Push / Scout-Eater: An extremely tight, belly-crawl squeeze about 10 inches high and 50 feet long. Many large cavers turned back here.
- The Mechanics Pit: A vertical drop (about 15 feet) accessed via a tight climb-down.
- The Birth Place (or "The Womb"): A small, rounded chamber near the end of the cave, often a turnaround point.
- The Crack (or “The Crawl of Death”): This is the most infamous spot on the map. A narrow, L-shaped passage that slopes downward. It was not on the original survey maps as a through-passage—it was a dead-end, silty, and extremely tight. John Jones entered this passage headfirst and became wedged upside-down.
The Fatal Mistake Illustrated by the Map
The official map clearly shows The Crack as a blind passage—it goes nowhere. However, Jones and his brother mistakenly believed it connected to a larger area called The Big Slide due to an old, informal hand-drawn map. This error led him to enter a passage that was less than 10 inches high, with a ceiling that sloped downward, trapping him in an inverted position.
Final Thoughts
The Nutty Putty Cave map is a reminder that in caving, a few meters and a wrong turn can mean the difference between adventure and tragedy. If you’re a caver, study maps carefully. If you’re an armchair explorer, respect that some places are best left sealed—and remembered.
Do not attempt to locate or enter Nutty Putty Cave. It is closed by landowner and law enforcement order.
Sources: Utah Geological Survey, Timpanogos Grotto NSS, official rescue reports.