After all of the head frame materials are transported to the site, the cable drum must be packed in. Jesse and "Gator" Schoose do the hauling.

Jesse and Gator begin the long hike up to the mine, as the grade continues to increase.

Not to be out done, the "old guys" of the team, "Sherpa" Mic and "Sherpa" Ron, pack up the iron bucket, which is filled with supplies. The bucket, well over 100 years old, and weighing pretty much the same amount, was salvaged from an abandonded mine by Bob Schoose.

Ron takes his turn in the shaft (approx. 10 feet deep), moving tons of dirt, making way for more collars to be set, and lagging to be filled in.

Geologist and mining veteran, Jack, keeps an eye on construction, as the head frame is set up. Note the lag boards in place, keeping the sides of the shaft (now 15 feet deep) from collapsing.

The head frame completed, and drum installed, The Lost Spanish Mine expedition is now ready for the next phase: dropping the shaft to 26 feet, where it will connect with the tunnel the Spanish dug over 165 years ago. Jesse, Mic and Ron stand at the ready.