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.

Not much more information in this report:
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/jul/14/climber-airlifte>>>>>

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.

best wishes to that man for a speedy & full recovery

Best wishes to those involved.

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.

Daily Camera article has been updated. See link above. (edit: or below)

A recent update:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/jul/14/climber-airlifte>>>>>

All the best to Preston.

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

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.

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.

Horrible story. Pro is kind of funny on that route until you get up higher. I have yet to try on a climbing helmet that I feel would protect my forehead. Climbing helmets seem designed soley to protect a huge impact to the top, but little else.

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

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.

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.

Many prayers for Preston and his family.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

You can do this, Preston -- we are all pulling hard for you! Thanks from all of us to Micah, Rachelle and the others who helped Preston before the ambulance arrived. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.

Preston, there's a gang of us in Loveland praying and pulling for you and the family.

Preston and family - thoughts and prayers- we are pulling for you - Carol, Parker and Keaton Williams from the old "hood" in Pinebrook.