Running Away
The guys were unable to stay down any longer. They had to run away. The whole situation was too scary, problematic, and weird for them to think straight. Soon, they were rushing on the ladder to get away. As soon as they reached the surface, they had to do it.
They started gulping for fresh air. They needed time to recover and see what they are going to do now. Should they call for the police? What if a dead hiker is in the trough? Without any real evidence, they could do one thing only. They must go down there again! This time it will be different.