The entrance to

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.

Brian Gindling squeezes through the main passage in Tears.

Casting spells & telling tales before entering Tears.

Shazam

Casting spells & telling tales before entering Tears.

Brian Gindling  glides past ice formations in Tears.

Karstonaut

Brian Gindling glides past ice formations in Tears.

Ben Schwartz sketches the map of a new section of passage.

Sketching Ice

Ben Schwartz sketches the map of a new section of passage.

Approahing the entrance of Virgil; the 3rd deepest cave in CONUS.

Alpine Hiking

Approahing the entrance of Virgil; the 3rd deepest cave in CONUS.

Navigating back to camp in rain and fog.

Navigating back to camp in rain and fog.

Hiking along the cliff band after a trip underground.

Hiking along the cliff band after a trip underground.

Brian Gindling and Steven Rehbein ascending the web of ropes.

Brian Gindling and Steven Rehbein ascending the web of ropes.

The 2nd team donning vertical gear in the entrance.

The 2nd team donning vertical gear in the entrance.

The 1st team packs up after their exit from the cave.

The 1st team packs up after their exit from the cave.

Still Packing

Still Packing

The

The "Death is all Around." drop in Virgil cave.

Looking back at the daylight a short distance inside the cave.

Looking Out

Looking back at the daylight a short distance inside the cave.

Steven Rehbein moving through

Smiles

Steven Rehbein moving through "Tears of the Turtle" cave.

Steven Rehbein disconnecting at the top of a rope in

Steven Rehbein disconnecting at the top of a rope in "Tears of the Turtle" cave.

Peter Johnson repairs his cave suit on the surface.

Peter Johnson repairs his cave suit on the surface.

Ben Tobin re-emerges from the depths.

Ben Tobin re-emerges from the depths.

Staying warm with the camp fire at base camp.

Staying warm with the camp fire at base camp.

Carbo Loading

Warming a poptart in the camp fire.

Toaster

Warming a poptart in the camp fire.

James Hunter moving through Tears of the Turtle cave.

James Hunter moving through Tears of the Turtle cave.

Just another shitty rappel.

Just another shitty rappel.

Hiking to the cave in the Bob Marshal Wilderness.

Hiking to the cave in the Bob Marshal Wilderness.

Much of the gear was packed in with horses.

Much of the gear was packed in with horses.

Ian Chechet collecting drinking water from a drip.

Bubbler

Ian Chechet collecting drinking water from a drip.

Jason Ballensky at the top of a rope with a large pack.

Jason Ballensky at the top of a rope with a large pack.

Ben Tobin desceneds a rope in Tears.

Ben Tobin desceneds a rope in Tears.

A snack break in the large passage below birthday pit.

Last Supper

A snack break in the large passage below birthday pit.

There is allot of steming to be done.

There is allot of steming to be done.

Peter Johnson gets a drink.

Peter Johnson gets a drink.

A team hiking to the cave.

A team hiking to the cave.

Climbing up to the entrance of

Climbing up to the entrance of "Tears of the Turtle" cave.

Philip Schuchardt washing the mud from his vertical gear.

Philip Schuchardt washing the mud from his vertical gear.

Mud clogged ascender at the wash.

Mud clogged ascender at the wash.

The food tree at base camp.

The food tree at base camp.

Tossing another cord for a bear hang in the food tree.

Tossing another cord for a bear hang in the food tree.

Team leader Jason sending a message to his wife before going underground.

Team leader Jason sending a message to his wife before going underground.

It was colder and wetter than we expected.

It was colder and wetter than we expected.

Packing and collecting water.

Packing and collecting water.

Lucky Charms and Ziplock Socks.

Ziplocks

Lucky Charms and Ziplock Socks.

Snacks and Fire

Snacks and Fire

Building the dryer.

Building the dryer.

Ian is a little skeptical about how dry his suit is.

Ian is a little skeptical about how dry his suit is.

The 2nd Team gearing up to enter the cave.

The 2nd Team gearing up to enter the cave.

Roasting Rope

If you forget your chest harnes at camp; just make a new one.

If you forget your chest harnes at camp; just make a new one.

Pete studies a map.

Pete studies a map.

Go to the Light

Stadium Eating

The last night of the trip was spent along the South Fork of the Flathead river.

River Camp

The last night of the trip was spent along the South Fork of the Flathead river.

Susan the camp deer.

Susan the camp deer.

Sorting gear

Sorting gear

Hiking through the karst on the way to

Karstville

Hiking through the karst on the way to "Tears of the Turtle" cave.

Brian Gindling moving past ice formations in

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.

The show is over.