Access
Requirements & Access Request Forms
for
SILTA Owned Caves
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Nutty |
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Nutty
Putty Cave is temporarily closed! No access
is being granted at this time. Please be
patient as the management problems are being resolved.
On April 14, 2006, the Utah
State Trust Lands granted the Timpanogos Grotto the right to manage the access
to
The "Nutty Putty Cave Concerns and Efforts" website outlines
the growing problems and the Timpanogos Grottos past actions.
Access Requirements
Organizations that manage their own group's access may
add additional requirements; however, all groups must follow these access
requirements. Leaders of the groups are responsible for checking their organization's
most recent policies, regulations, and standards. Groups from established
organizations must prove that their group adheres to its organization's most
recent policies, regulations, and standards before being granted access. All
Scout groups are required to have an approved tour permit. Anyone in Nutty
Putty Cave, Blowhole Cave, Silly Putty Cave, Rabbit Trap Cave, or any other
nearby SITLA-owned caves who is found not complying with these access
requirements may lose their access privileges and/or be cited for trespassing.
1. Access to all caves must be limited to the hours of 7
am to 11 pm. Special permission is needed to access or be in the caves after
these hours. Vehicles should not drive or park within approximately 100 yards
of any cave entrance.
2. All groups must adhere to the two-deep leadership
policy of having two registered adult leaders.
a. The leaders must be 21 or older.
b. The leaders must be constantly present with the group.
c. One of the leaders must be an experienced caver that
is able to overcome all of the obstacles countered on their visit.
d. The leaders must realistically evaluate their group's
ability in planning and during the cave trip. They must never attempt to lead
their group into a situation that is beyond capability of any member of the
group.
e. Leader must inquire to each participant that no
medical conditions exist that may compromise the participant's safety.
f. The leader is responsible in enforcing that no illegal
drugs or substance use will be used on trip.
g. The leaders must be qualified, able, and willing to
handle all problems that might arise.
h. The leaders must have adequate first-aid training and
ability. They must have comprehensive knowledge of the practices to follow in
the event of an accident.
i.
The leaders must
thoroughly comprehend that overwhelming difficulties may easily result from the
problems of fatigue, improper or faulty equipment, emotional problems, physical
limitations, or excessive eagerness or exuberance in members of the group.
Additionally, they must realize that all of these individual problems are often
interrelated and that the occurrence of any one of them can easily create a
situation that will lead to or accentuate any or all of the others.
j.
Leaders must be
responsible and willing to terminate a trip if any of the trip requirements are
not met, such as, but not limited to, inadequate equipment, inadequately
trained participants, or improper hazardous behaviors.
3. All participants must be 14 years of age and older.
4. All groups will be limited to 10 persons (including
the two trip leaders).More than one group is permitted in the cave at a time;
however, each group should be organized to function independently by having
each group with two qualified leaders as defined above.
5. The group must be together at all times.
6. Groups from established organizations must prove that
their group adheres to its organization's most recent policies, regulations,
and standards. BSA requires all Scout groups to have an approved tour permit to
show their groups are successfully adhering to their set standards. (Venturing
Ranger Cave Exploring Elective Requirements, Guide to Safe Caving
(including a section on caving), NSS Guide: Cave Exploring By
Scout And Explorer Groups)
7. Every participant in a caving trip must agree, without
reservation, to follow all of the specific safety guidelines of their
sponsoring organization. Not only the leaders, but every person on a cave trip
should be aware of the necessity to constantly observe the whereabouts and
potential problems of other members of the group and be ready to provide any
assistance necessary.
8. Natural and fabricated hazards such as slippery
slopes, loose rocks, pits, cold water, complex routes, old ropes, and the
possibility of entrance flooding are all dangers to some degree and must be
approached with care and judgment. If an accident still occurs in spite of
preventive measures, that area must be avoided entirely. Hazards must be
immediately reported to the permitting representative.
9. The groups will have proper equipment and dress for
caving. All participants are required to have a helmet, helmet-mounted light,
extra dependable light sources, proper boots, and clothing for each member of
the group. A first-aid kit and a short 15-ft hand line are strongly recommended
for each group,
10. Recreational use of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
Suspected use of drugs or under-aged drinking will be reported immediately to
local authorities. Smoking or any tobacco use in the caves is also prohibited.
11. All cavers entering vertical caves (Blowhole, Rabbit
Trap) must have their own vertical caving gear and have proof of successfully
learned descending and ascending caving techniques.
12. Specific information about the caving trip must be
left with a responsible person back home at time of departure. This should include
location and length of time of trip, expected time of return, list of
participants, and whom to contact for each trip member in case of emergency.
The group is highly recommended to have, but not rely on, a cell phone in case
of emergency.
13. Any group wishing to learn about cave rescue (other
than self-rescue techniques) or pursue that activity as a specialty must do so
under the sponsorship and supervision of either the Utah Cave Search &
Rescue or Utah County Search & Rescue.
14. All caving participants must understand the access
requirements and note their agreement to follow them by signing the Cave
Permit.
Return to the Timpanogos Grotto Website
Copyright
© 2007 Timpanogos Grotto
Maintained by Jon Jasper - last updated October 10, 2007