Dolphy. The pattern I have perceived is a lack of raise mining specialists, and a possible lack of a crew motivating, ie tough manager. All of the work other than the contract drilling went incredibly slow. I have worked in the Ruby and Carson and am familiar with the ground. I have also driven dozens of raises in several western states, in all types of ground, including conventional timbered, baldhead, square-set, solid cribbed, steel lined, Alimak, and even worked with Robbins raise boring machines.
I know it is at least 99 percent possible to get a conventional old school raise up into any Ruby ground unless it is driven directly into previously heavily worked and badly caved voids.