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serious accident in Eldo this evening

Original Post
Gary Schmidt · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2002 · Points: 530

There was a serious climbing accident involving a ground fall on the route Werk Supp in Eldo this evening.The lead climber hit the sharp rock at the base from about 40 - 50 ft up at least. Climber was airlifted by helicopter and reported "alive" when evacuated. Very sobering. The rope was still attached to the cliff going up to I think two pieces, and back to the ground. Prayers and deeps concerns certainly go out to all involved.

Shawn Mitchell · · Broomfield · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 250

Not much more information in this report:
dailycamera.com/news/2008/j…

rob rebel · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 5

Did pieces pull? seems like if someone was that high up on werks up they could get bomber pro in or were they still in the chossy beginning section with bad pro? Any info on how the climber is doing?

My sympathy to everyone involved.

kirra · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 530

best wishes to that man for a speedy & full recovery

Robert 560 · · The Land of the Lost · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 570

Best wishes to those involved.

Gary Schmidt · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2002 · Points: 530

I don't like to speculate on what happened out of sympathy, but yes the climber was beyond the point where you can get in solid pro and at least two pieces were still in the rock which to me should have easily kept him off the ground. Sounds more like belayer error, but I suppose we should let the authorities and rescue people come to those conclusions.

Richard Radcliffe · · Erie, CO · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 225

A recent update:

dailycamera.com/news/2008/j…

All the best to Preston.

Allen Hill · · FIve Points, Colorado and Pine · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 1,410

Preston climbs solo a lot. He has for years. Hope he gets well.

TresSki Roach · · Santa Fe, NM · Joined May 2002 · Points: 605

Many happy thoughts towards a speedy recovery.

When someone mentioned belayer error would that be a result of having too much slack out? Sorry if this is not the appropriate place to ask.

Shawn Mitchell · · Broomfield · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 250

My best wishes to Preston for a full and speedy recovery and his family for strength in this trial.

Tracy, of course we don't know what happened and it is possible he was soloing. If belayer error was involved it could be too much slack, or inattention that delayed braking the rope, or some mechanical error or mishandling of the belay device that stopped it from locking.

If it was a solo situation, the immediate suspicion would be that the belay mechanism didn't lock for some reason.

We'll wish good for all involved while we wait for more information to come out.

Ken Cangi · · Eldorado Springs, CO · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 620
Allen Hill wrote:Preston climbs solo a lot. He has for years. Hope he gets well.
Sounds like there is more to the story. If Preston is an avid soloist - and I'm not disputing your word on this - then it's unlikely that he fell from a 5.8 because it was too difficult for him.

Maybe he dislodged a rock, startling his belayer - something like that.

At any rate, I wish him a full recovery.
Allen Hill · · FIve Points, Colorado and Pine · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 1,410

I just got word that he's in really bad shape. Let's keep our fingers crossed. He has three children.

Nate Oakes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2006 · Points: 235

Best wishes to Preston and his friends and family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Friendly reminder to the mp community: please use discretion when responding to this and any thread regarding a serious accident. This website is linked directly in the Daily Camera story.

micah stocker · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2004 · Points: 75

Thank you Rachael, and her boyfriend for the help, it is so amazing how well the climbing comunity works together as a team. My prayers are with Preston. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he hill pull through all this and climb again soon.

ElyseSokoloff · · Spokane, WA · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 0

Many prayers for Preston and his family.

T. Scott Richards · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

I am a a close friend of Preston, and upon hearing about the accident today, I came directly here for more information. As a friend and a climber I want to/need to, know what happened. He and I have climbed together and been friends for a long time. As fellow climbers you understand my need for this. Any information would be appreciated, but please send it directly to me, tsrville@yahoo. We all need to send big time energy to him and his family. He is a very special person.

T. Scott Richards · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

And...for the record, Preston does not solo climb.

Allen Hill · · FIve Points, Colorado and Pine · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 1,410

Not to argue but he did a fair amount of roper soloing in the early 00's. He told me often about his morning roped solos in Boulder Canyon. I simply assumed he still did. I'm sorry.

Tina M · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

Does anyone have an update on Preston's condition? I'm really pulling for him.

Robert S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

Preston is still in very critical condition. There is severe trauma to his brain; one side continues to hemorrhage with fluid, the other has suffered stroke.

The doctor has stated that he's seen worse pull through, while seeing less severely injured patients succumb. In other words, it's very difficult to say...

If Preston makes it through Thursday however, this will be a milestone and recovery odds improve.

Keep in mind, doctors have yet to determine damage to brain functionality; at this point it is all about his vital stats.

  • Please note this status is as of last night, I have not heard of any change in his condition today.

It is a wonder that he is alive at all - one tough guy. We're really pulling for him.
Robert S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

New update - Preston's cognition impulses are responding to very minor stimulations to his brain (such as increases in oxygen levels). Doctors are planning another CAT scan later today.

While this may be seen as a sign of hope, he could remain in this state for days, weeks, or another month.

This simply indicates a measure of progress beyond yesterday's state, but still does not imply anything. He has a long way to go and we are all concerned with quality of life if a recovery is made.

It's still just too early to really say anything other than that he remains critical...

I'm certain his family is very appreciative of this community's support and encouragement.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Injuries and Accidents
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