I hope he's going to be okay.
Many positive thoughts for him and his family and friends.

Hello everyone, sorry to be that intrusive reporter type, but we're working on a story today about the man who fell yesterday. Anyone who was there, assisted in the rescue or knows him through family or friends would help shed a good light on the issue. Anyone interested, climbers or not, can contact me today (7-23) until 3 p.m. at 303-473-1328. We're also looking for pictures of the man, and those can be sent by e-mail to Urieh@dailycamera.com.

Thanks so much. We are trying to be sensitive to the community as we deal with our coverage of the incident. If anyone has concerns about our stories, let me know directly anytime.

Gary - thanks for the update. We've been thinking of Mike since we heard of the accident. We're pulling for him and his family.

Many prayers, blessings, and healing to this climber, his family and friends through this. Holding all of you in the light.

what an awful situation. sending positive vibes, hope mike manages to pull through somehow. be careful out there with these warm temps and greasy rock.

hope his family and friends understand his desire to solo and that at least he was doing what he loved in a beautiful place.

I'm deeply saddened. I was climbing with my wife, Carmela, across the way on Calypso. Just went out for a beautiful day in Eldo. I heard a woman scream and looked across the canyon to see him impact. I've worked search and rescue for over 10 years as well as on an ambulance and this scene has shaken me more than anything I've ever seen. It is profound how thin the line can be between life, at it's finest, and death.

The response to the fall was as it should be. He landed on the road so there was no evac. Once the ambulance arrived, they scooped and ran him to the hele evac.

After the fall, it seemed that the universe paused. First there were runs for help, then all were silent. I felt helpless. All were focused on Mike, but inside I think we all were torn up... questioning why, considering our sport, contemplating our good fortune, thinking of those we love, and extending our hopes, prayers and energy to Mike.

I'm holding Mike, his family, his circle of friends, and those of us that were thee in the light. This will stay with me a lifetime.

Too many of these this year. One is too many. +++ vibes are sent.

www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/jul/23/fallen-climber-identifi>>>

The man has been identified. Thoughts continue to be with him, his family and friends.

I know Mike and just happened upon this information minutes ago. Mike has been a role model and motivator for me for many years now. As Gary said earlier Mike is a strong and committed veteran of climbing. If there is one thing Mike has going for him right now it is his mental strength. I am stunned to hear that Mike fell on Werks Up from around the same spot as Preston Brennan. Sounds like there's some bad mojo going on. Please continue to send Mike your support and prayers. Anyone with current information on Mikes condition please keep us updated.

I just got the news about my buddy Mike. Mike is my main climbing partner here in Oklahoma. I'm trying to get in touch with his brother Randy. If anyone out there has his cell number or can let him know that Tony from Oklahoma is trying to get in touch with him. Many thanks.

I'm pulling hard for you Mike, don't give up on me man!

Tony Mayse

Just to be clear-- was he soloing the route?

It is my understanding from the newspaper articles that he was soloing the route. (Of course, that reporting may be incorrect).

I was guiding in Eldorado Canyon yesterday. At about 11:00 my client and I were near the top of Rewritten and noticed a climber soloing at the top of Icarus. I took a couple of pictures as he moved out onto and then up the arete above Yellow Spur. It looked really cool, the contrast of the dark rock buttress and the climber against the blue sky background way up high. I felt the mix of fear and exhilaration that I always do when I watch another climber soloing, same as I've felt soloing routes myself.

On our way to the car we watched as the injured climber at the base of WU was loaded into the ambulance. I spoke to a woman who was one of the first people on the scene and she said that her husband was a doctor and began first aid immediately. She said it was really awful.

It is strange how quickly the day can change when we play out in the heights.

I hope very much that Mike recovers, that there are more adventures for him.

Best wishes to friends and family.

I was toproping Rain when my partner heard the screams -- she immediately lowered me and we ran around the corner and found that there were already 5 or 6 climbers gathered around the guy. There was little the climbers, or the doctor even, could do other than to hold his head still and yell at him to keep breathing. The injuries were very bad and very obvious. I'm guessing it was 30 minutes until he was loaded into the ambulance -- he was struggling to breathe every second of that time.

Everyone who responded remained calm and brave, despite, I'm sure, feeling helpless.

About an hour earlier this guy soloed the West Arete while my partner was leading Hair City. On the big ledge he crossed over above my partner and then headed up the chimney above West Buttress to the top of the Bastille. He seemed shaky in that 5.7 chimney and I remember being pretty uncomfortable (and pretty pissed off) thinking about him falling and possibly hitting or severely hurting my partner.

I feel very lucky to have learned my lesson soloing and to have escaped with my life. It was almost surreal to watch something like this only 2 years later and a couple hundred yards away from where I fell. Perhaps I'm being narrow minded or perhaps I've earned my right to say this because of my own experiences, but soloing is absolute foolishness.

My heart goes out to the injured climber -- I hope he pulls through. I'm praying for him and wish him the absolute best.

This is terrible news for those of us who know him. He has been kicking at it pretty hard for thirty years or so. He has a lot of friends. A better guy you will never meet.

What I want to say is that this is a very good guy, and he is way experienced. Let's all send out some good vibes.

Well, Lefty is one tough bastard.

Nothing but the best wish's for Mike and his Family. Miracles happen and I'm hoping one comes your way.

Also I shouldn't have to point this out but it appears as though I must. There is NO room on this thread for negative vibes or personal opinion other than those wishing well.

If you've posted something like this, and several of you have, please remove it.

josh

Tony, you might try Black Diamond. Randy has been working there for ages. I assume that he is still there..

I hope he's doing okay.

My best wishes for his family and friends.

Herndon, thanks for the kind words for Mike. I'm heading to Co. in the morning. Randy and I spoke earlier this evening, he said Mike has lots of serious injuries and as of now it's touch and go. However, Randy did say that his BP was better and that brain swelling had gone down. I will try and give an update after I visit the hospital in Denver tomorrow.

Thanks to all of you for thinking and praying for Mike, he would without a second thought do the same for each and everyone of you.

Tony

I can't believe this has happened again. This is so unfortuante and sad. My heart and thoughts are with this man and his family. I'll be praying for him with all I've got, to pull through.

Tony,
If you need my help are more support please give me a call.
We will keep Mike in out prayer.
Marcus gacia

As Preston Brennans wife of 18 years, i have to agree with the comment about negativiy or assumptions. the fact is two men have fallen, my beloved Preston and now Mike. I do believe people are just trying to make some sense of these freak accidents, but remember the families and friends are in mourning and will be for a long time. Send thoughts of love and positive energy. There was a full rainbow today, my daughter talia and I looked up and believed it was Preston showing us the beauty of life and nature. Don't post assumptions or anything that upsets the family. It is heartless and useless. Once again, thank you for your prayers for our Family. Cheryl Brennan

This is rough news indeed. I want to reflect some of the encouragement Mike has offered me and my buddies in the past few years. A few words, from such an enduring and no-bullshit dude, go a long way. Keep after it, Mike; if anybody can work through this crux, I know you can. See you out there.

I'm sure there are a lot of people pulling for Mike. Even those of us that have never met him.

Dealing with the effects of a climbing fall is much, MUCH more difficult than any climb you will ever attempt. Just know that somehow you persevere and while at times it seems impossible...you find that strength deep inside somehow. Even in the darkest of times there is always hope buried somewhere - you just have to keep looking. No matter what happens...never give up on Mike.