Putty Cave Map _top_: Nutty

For the uninitiated, the phrase "Nutty Putty Cave" might evoke images of a quirky theme park attraction or a brand of children’s modeling clay. For cavers (spelunkers) and internet true-crime enthusiasts, however, the name carries a weight of somber finality. Located west of Utah Lake in Utah County, Nutty Putty Cave was once a beloved hydrothermal maze of narrow passages and tight squeezes. Today, it is a sealed tomb.

However, the map also notes a smaller, unnamed passage near the top of The Big Slide. This passage leads to "Ed's Push"—a vertical chimney that goes down to an area called "The Birth Canal." nutty putty cave map

At one point, the rescue team did free his arms and upper body. But when they pulled, his legs jammed tighter. The map showed that the passage narrowed to a "V" shape. The clay acted like a Chinese finger trap: pulling only made it worse. For the uninitiated, the phrase "Nutty Putty Cave"

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. The tragedy of 2009 revolves around a specific spot on the map: The Big Slide (also called "The Chute"). On the map, The Big Slide is a yellowish-tan line branching off the main route, leading to a room called "Bob's Way." Today, it is a sealed tomb

The next time you look at the , don't see a puzzle to solve. See a warning that some doors, once opened, cannot be closed—and some arrows on a map are actually pointing to a grave. If you are interested in safe caving, never explore alone, always tell someone your route, and stick to mapped, open systems like Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Nutty Putty is closed forever.