The entrance to "Tears of the Turtle" cave on Turtlehead mountain in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana.
Brian Gindling squeezes through the main passage in Tears.
Shazam
Casting spells & telling tales before entering Tears.
Karstonaut
Brian Gindling glides past ice formations in Tears.
Sketching Ice
Ben Schwartz sketches the map of a new section of passage.
Alpine Hiking
Approahing the entrance of Virgil; the 3rd deepest cave in CONUS.
Navigating back to camp in rain and fog.
Hiking along the cliff band after a trip underground.
Brian Gindling and Steven Rehbein ascending the web of ropes.
The 2nd team donning vertical gear in the entrance.
The 1st team packs up after their exit from the cave.
Still Packing
The "Death is all Around." drop in Virgil cave.
Looking Out
Looking back at the daylight a short distance inside the cave.
Smiles
Steven Rehbein moving through "Tears of the Turtle" cave.
Steven Rehbein disconnecting at the top of a rope in "Tears of the Turtle" cave.
Peter Johnson repairs his cave suit on the surface.
Ben Tobin re-emerges from the depths.
Staying warm with the camp fire at base camp.
Carbo Loading
Toaster
Warming a poptart in the camp fire.
James Hunter moving through Tears of the Turtle cave.
Just another shitty rappel.
Hiking to the cave in the Bob Marshal Wilderness.
Much of the gear was packed in with horses.
Bubbler
Ian Chechet collecting drinking water from a drip.
Jason Ballensky at the top of a rope with a large pack.
Ben Tobin desceneds a rope in Tears.
Last Supper
A snack break in the large passage below birthday pit.
There is allot of steming to be done.
Peter Johnson gets a drink.
A team hiking to the cave.
Climbing up to the entrance of "Tears of the Turtle" cave.
Philip Schuchardt washing the mud from his vertical gear.
Mud clogged ascender at the wash.
The food tree at base camp.
Tossing another cord for a bear hang in the food tree.
Team leader Jason sending a message to his wife before going underground.
It was colder and wetter than we expected.
Packing and collecting water.
Ziplocks
Lucky Charms and Ziplock Socks.
Snacks and Fire
Building the dryer.
Ian is a little skeptical about how dry his suit is.
The 2nd Team gearing up to enter the cave.
Roasting Rope
If you forget your chest harnes at camp; just make a new one.
Pete studies a map.
Go to the Light
Stadium Eating
River Camp
The last night of the trip was spent along the South Fork of the Flathead river.
Susan the camp deer.
Sorting gear
Karstville
Hiking through the karst on the way to "Tears of the Turtle" cave.
Cold Passage
Brian Gindling moving past ice formations in "Tears of the Turtle" cave. The deepest cave in the contentinal USA. Bob Marshal Wilderness, Montana.
The show is over.