Nutty Putty Cave Map Free [2026 Update]
The fissure measured just 10 by 18 inches. Jones became wedged upside down at a 70-degree angle, with one arm pinned underneath him and the other forced backward. The Rescue and Map Limitations
His feet were positioned above his head, causing blood to pool continuously in his brain and upper torso, placing immense strain on his heart. The Rescue Attempt
First explored in 1960 by Dale Green and his companions, Nutty Putty Cave was named for the unique, putty-like clay coating its inner walls. Unlike standard vadose caves carved by surface streams, Nutty Putty is a . It was formed millions of years ago by superheated, acidic hydrothermal water pushing upward through the limestone. This distinctive formation process produced a complex, three-dimensional maze of smooth, rounded, and deceptive passages.
The Nutty Putty Cave map is more than a guide; it is a blueprint of a tragedy that changed caving in Utah forever. Originally known as an "easy" cave for Boy Scouts and families, the map details a 1,400-foot network of hydrothermal tunnels—warm, slick with clay, and deceptively tight. The Geography of a Tragedy
In the decades leading up to the cave's closure, experienced cavers like Ed Puerta worked to meticulously draft accurate topographical maps of the system. These maps charted the primary tourist routes and named the major chambers. nutty putty cave map
A narrow, dead-end section near where the 2009 accident occurred. The 2009 Incident Mapping
, who became stuck in an unmapped, vertical fissure. Today, the cave remains a sealed tomb and a memorial to Jones. The Cave Layout and Features
The cave was first explored in 1960 by Dale Green, who named it for the unique, putty-like clay found in its passages. Modern maps are largely based on a detailed survey conducted in .
Consistently warm, averaging around 70°F (21°C) due to geothermal activity. The fissure measured just 10 by 18 inches
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Deep in the lowest, northernmost section of the cave lay a series of downward-sloping, blind tunnels. These passages were highly dangerous, unmapped, and rarely explored because they narrowed into dead ends too tight for human anatomy. It was in this treacherous zone that the cave's final tragedy occurred. The 2009 John Edward Jones Tragedy
While you cannot visit in person, several resources allow you to study the cave's complex layout:
Nutty Putty Cave has a rich and fascinating history, dating back thousands of years. The cave was first discovered in 1964 by a group of rockhounds, who were exploring the area in search of minerals. Since then, the cave has been extensively explored, mapped, and studied by geologists, spelunkers, and adventurers. The Rescue Attempt First explored in 1960 by
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 most comprehensive maps of Nutty Putty Cave were drafted by surveyors like Brandon Kowallis in 2003 and 2004. These maps detail the complex, hydrothermal system that spanned approximately 413 meters.
These lower sections of the map represented the most complex, unmapped, and dangerous regions of the system. Branching off into vertical, downward-angled fissures, these passages were highly discouraged for casual explorers due to the extreme risk of becoming wedged upside down. The 2009 Tragedy and the Edmeadas Fissure
The map also highlighted several , including areas prone to rockfalls, hidden pitfalls, and treacherous terrain.
The cave's legacy changed forever on November 24, 2009. John Edward Jones, an experienced medical student and father, entered the cave with his brother and friends. While attempting to find the Birth Canal, John accidentally entered an unmapped, vertical fissure known as "Ed’s Push."
