News from Camp Esperanza

I watched the first man coming out of that capsule, and hugging his children, wife, the president and his wife, and the rescuers. It was a very emotional moment in human history - a miracle of sorts that belongs in Ripleys (or something).

I feel asleep last night with the TV on, I didn't see all the men rescued so far but I heard them... It's been very emotional for me too. All those beautiful smiles... Just praying they all get out safely.
They are replaying all the rescues now.

Things are continuing without a hitch. They are bringing up at least one man an hour.

This has been so inspiring to watch. And they seem to have paid attention to every last detail that would help to keep these men safe on their way out of the mine. Such a marvelous coordination of efforts on the part of so many.

I keep thinking about those first 17 days in the mine, when these men had next to nothing to eat and probably little hope of ever being rescued. Their stamina has been amazing. The rescue effort has been amazing. What an incredible real life story this has been.

This is so important in another respect. The miners were leaders in the movement which lead Allende to the Presidency in 1973. They suffered in the crackdown after Allende was killed and Pinochet took over. It is wonderful to me to know that the President is there and the Minister of Mines (whatever his office is called). That Chile as a nation should have reached this point is a wonderful thing.

Just saw miner 16 emerge. A white haired gentleman, widower, father of six, grandfather of a bunch and great grandfather of a few. One of his sons was there to greet him. He hugged his sons and then fell to his knees and prayed.

This is real. This justs grabs ya and hangs on.

18 up.

Each and every one of those hugs brings a tear or two to my eyes.

So inspiring! I saw the first couple of guys come up last night, a few this morning, and now they are going for #21. Hurray!!!!!

Love the hugs and chants and cheers and crying every time.

I have a question. The last man, one of the rescuers, must be able to lock the rescue tube's door correctly from the inside? I can understand how he could hook up the oxygen pack and other devises, but I can't figure out how he can lock the door so it doesn't come loose if no one is there to do it from the outside.

BBB

This is the American company that suggested their advice on how to rescue the miners. They also provided the equipment needed to reach the trapped miners. They were the perfect experts because they had the experience and equipment to drill through the very hard rock. They were already working in Chili and were able to get to the site quickly. Congratulations to them!

BBB

Welcome to Drillers Supply International
Manufacturer and Supplier of Mud Pump Parts, Drill Rig Parts, and Swivel Parts; Reverse Circulation Drill Pipe, Booster Compressors

Drillers Supply International is a quality manufacturer of replacement parts for the wide variety of mud pumps, centrifugal pumps, rig parts, and swivel parts found on the World market today. Such as Gardner Denver, Failing, Mayhew, National Oilwell, Emsco, Wheatley, and all others. In addition to supplying reverse circulation drill pipe and booster compressors Drillers Supply International is your #1 source for replacement mud pump and drill rig parts.

A highly trained staff uses state-of-the-art equipment and proven quality control methods to produce the finest mud pump replacement parts, reverse circulation drill pipe and booster compressors found in the market today.

http://www.drill-supplies.com/

US drill & drillers, NASA advisors & astronaut food; the machine that lifts the capsule is Austrian and the capsule is made in Chile.
Ain't it a great example of human cooperation?

(Number 21 is the man with two women -- they met, and fought at the camp)

ohhhhh..... was it the mistress who met him and not the wife?



Such drama!!!

Yonni Barrios is the Chilean version of Johnny Bravo.

(Would Geraldo be there to greet him, had the drama been in the USA?)

... and number 22 is the one who, while underground, asked his girlfriend of 20+ years to marry him.

It was indeed. Mostly though I was impressed by the evident organization, unity of purpose and humanity and warmth of the Chilean folks on the web link. From government officials, managers, workers miners and families they all exhibited those qualities and often it was hard to tell them apart. It was very inspiring.

#23... it's so emotional every time!

I'm impressed with all those officials, unless there's been turnover they've been doing this for a very long time and they look just as happy with this latest one as with all the other ones I've seen.

about every 30 mins now. Much quicker.

CBC reports that Canadian companies are there to help, too.

I can't say enough about the President being there for each and every one of them, making small talk with the family members, engaging them and the miners when they ascend.

Twenty-four out of thirty-three. They should finish in six or seven hours.

I would love to see that last one but realistically I probably will be in bed by then. (If they keep up the every-30-minutes pace, that'd be 4.5 hrs or about 10 PM EST -- that'd be nice.)

CBC has been saying every 40 minutes. They interviewed an oil-field supplier from Edmonton whose company provide the pipe liner for the pipe they're using. He said every 40 minutes was very fast, and they were not likely to go any faster. Can't vouch for the accuracy of that, though.