3rd August 2002
The advanced expedition team arrived in Santa Cruz on July 29th. We are thrilled to be back here again, and we have already set upon our work with much enthusiasm. We are presently at Samaipata. The weather so far has been rather harsh. We have been battered by bitterly cold winds from the south. Hopefully it will get better in the following days.

There’s still a little sleet and light rain, but the sun is shining today, and we are motivated to work. We embarked on our first exploration for Phase Four yesterday. Alfredo Jacobs, a Bolivian geologist, and Dean Emsley descended the shaft at El Fuerte, and came across ancient rope and chisel marks. At eight metres from the surface debris and water blocked the shaft and they could not descend any further. The shaft is believed to in a well, but nothing is clear as yet. Further investigations will be carried out on 25 August.

The Ambro and Parabanocito teams are getting ready to set out on their expeditions, which will begin tomorrow. We hope we will be blessed with much luck, good findings, and most of all good weather!