Comments about ‘Nutty Putty Cave will close despite hundreds of complaints’

If they really wanted to keep everyone happy, they could just seal off the dangerous branch of Nutty Putty where Mr. Jones perished, so that his remains would not be disturbed, and leave the rest of the cave open for the thousands of visitors each year. But that is probably way too logical. When someone falls from El Capitan, they don't permanently close Yosemite. They don't even close El Capitan.

It would be a more fitting memorial to only close the dangerous branch. That would allow many people to visit the cave and pay their respects and remember him rather than having him be mostly forgotten by the public as time goes by.

You can't just arbitrarily close down natural wonders like this. There are around five thousand people that visit the cave every year. I've brought many people to the cave over the years and the feeling they feel is unanimously amazed. They don't shut down theme parks when there is a mortality, We don't shut down camping grounds when there is a death. It's just another example of the government going behind the backs of the people, making decisions for us that we don't want. Going outside is inherently dangerous, those who chose to do so should accept the risks they take.

I sympathize with the cavers who do not want to lose access to the cave. But I think they lack the perspective to correctly view the death of John Jones. Much of what I've read from cavers suggests that the occasional mishap in a cave shouldn't outweigh access for safe cavers.

But the truth is this tragedy shows that a mistake or a bad decision in that environment can lead to at best a logistical rescue nightmare, or at worst a horrific death. 100 rescuers? 28 hours trapped? The costs of either are too high and the land owners and county are right to close it so it doesn't happen again. And it would happen again.

It's a great decision to close the entire cave, a cave that's been a danger to inexperienced cavers since it was discovered. The experience cavers have many other outlets to explore, and, most importantly, those other caves are less known by the rest of us. This is a wonderful way to show some respect to the Jones family.

This is a geologic wonder. Bulldozing the opening should not be allowed. I have been in the cave a few times. It has a lot of small holes that probably should not be explored, but it was a great place for a fun outing as long as you weren't claustrophobic. The only real problem of the cave was its popularity. Too many people inside at the same time. Sometimes you had to crawl backwards long distances to let people pass. Oh well. The cave will resurface in a few thousand years or so as a new opening will form.

I am happy they will close this cave. The man who died in the nutty putty cave deserves respect shown to his resting place. To those who object to the closer of the cave I suggest you go find another cave to play in. Utah is full of caves.

They've been looking for a reason to close Nutty Putty for a few years now.
I feel bad for the family of this guy, but someone fell from Angels in Zion...AGAIN and yet they'll keep it open.
I've been following their lame excuses for why this cave should be sealed
4 rescues in 10 years was to taxing on the sheriff dept. because it was in such a remote location was the last excuse. I'm out on that side of the lake quite often and can't remember when I was out there and didn't see a sheriff.

Following a trend of destroying ghost towns, mining districts, caves and historical sites that don't turn a profit for the state, or hold no interest for the grottos/gatekeepers

I'm hearing emotional arguments here. Close It has the right perspective. When a person falls and dies at a national park, it doesn't cost the time, money and effort to retrieve them as it does from a cave like Nutty Putty. So many complain about high taxes, and a lot of our tax money went into this recent effort to rescue the young man at the Nutty Putty cave. Sadly, many want to enjoy the thrills of adventure, but want the rest of us to bail them out when they get into trouble. I fail to understand the lack of common sense regarding this issue by some of the above posts. The cave should be closed.

Adult thinking: The man who died in the nutty putty cave deserves respect shown to his resting place.

So by this logic if someone BASE jumped from the church office building on to the main street plaza they should close it to show respect for that person, this is childish thinking at best.

They really need to close down hiking on Y mountain cause there is no shortage of folks who get lost or stranded on the cliffs with nothing but their ignorance and a cell phone

A fair amount of dynamite and a 6" cement cap should do the trick. I have been in the cave and while there have been improvements they have not been at the level needed. While it is sad to lose the cave the loss of life is even more dire. There can be no comparison to other deaths on 10,000 foot mountain sides or falls in Zions. These are wide open spaces not caves where the margin for error is even tighter. We all could use perspective. Yes outside activities are dangerous but we do not die in a cave every morning when we walk out the front door nor do we fall hundreds of feet to our death. All things proportional. May this man rest in eternal peace and may all of us respect that.

In a way he died so that no one will enjoy or die in the cave anymore. IMO, I suspect, this closure isn't about respecting the dead, but it's about managing civic liabilities.

So what can we do to make sure this cave opens again. As I understand it, its on State trust lands, it belongs to the children of this state.

Thomas:
Where do you get your stats. How much do you think it costs when there's a pile up on the freeway, Cops, EMT's Fire Dept. Hazzard cleanup now add on the cost in time for all those late to work because the freeway was closed.
4 rescues and one death in 10 years, please how can you compare the two
and say the cost isn't fair to the rest of us.

Sadly, we bail them out when they get into an accident, you some how believe that a horrific pile of metal with a family twisted inside isn't an unpleasant job.

Just because some people enjoy milk toast and a safe sitcom in their living room doesn't mean it's for everyone.

There can be no comparison to other deaths on 10,000 foot mountain sides or falls in Zions.

I totally disagree, This cave is not next to an elementary school, and is only dangerous to those who seek it, and enter it. Choices, Freedom, or Nanny Nation.

I am a mom that has grown up in the Lehi area. I still live here. The Nutty Putty cave was always a daring part of growing up here for me and my brothers and sister and friends. It is full of danger for the un-experienced! I just cringe every time I here my own children or thier friends talking about going in there. I know of numerous broken bones and injuries that have taken place in the cave that have gone un-reported. For experienced cavers, sure it is a great place to explore, for the un-experienced...an accident waiting to happen! And with the recient news and publicity it has recieved, It will just draw more of the un-experienced. The cave needs to be sealed up! God bless the Jones family, Let's let them have this as the sacred resting place of thier dear loved one.

i am amazed at the people who are writing in that the cave should remain open for the thousands of visitors to enjoy. a young father's body is entombed there. his wife is devasted. his family is devasted. how selfish are people that they would consider their own recreation over the grave of a young father. words cannot describe my disgust for these suggestions to keep the cave open. it is now a GRAVE. i don't see anyone caving on any other graves. go cave somewhere else. this one is now closed. have a heart for this family.

I agree with you that they need to close Hells Landing at Zion canyon. More people have died there than at the nutty putty cave.

Dear Flabbergasted, I certainly agree with you and hope the people who oppose to keep the cave open are not as selfish, unloving, uncaring and inconsiderate of others as they appear to be. The people who made the decision to close the cave have done so with unselfishness, love and kndness towards others and valueing human life so that another person would not end their life there. Would they like to have a loved ones burial site become a tourist attraction. I cry for all of them and for all of you too.

so many rescue stories from this dangerous cave over the years and yet the cave remained open. Sadly, it took a death to finally close the thing. Nice job Utah County Sherif's office. This is a classic case of too little too late and now a life has been needlessly lost.

I MADE A MISTAKE. I meant that those who opposed to closeing the cave seem so SELFISH and etc. and etc.