Dear Cheryl,
We are praying for Preston, you, your family and your friends. Sincerely,
Tom Crowley
(friend through Shaint and Salbo)

To All Who Have Sent Their Kind Wishes and Expressions of Sympathy,

My name is Jeremy Gruber. Cheryl Claman-Brennan is my aunt and Preston is my uncle. I know this has already been conveyed, but I just felt the need to let you all know how much your kindness and caring means to our entire family. While things look grim right now, your reaching-out in the past few days has really helped to keep Cheryl, Willy, Noah, and Talia (and the rest of us) strong, and it has also reinforced for all of us how loved and respected Preston was.

I completely concur with the post suggesting that anyone willing help Cheryl and the kids without "asking." As you all realize, Cheryl really has her hands full right now. If you are a friend of the family, I do encourage you to help in any way you can: bringing food, helping out with the kids, and helping Cheryl with arrangements for the next few weeks would all be truly appreciated expressions of support. To those of you who have already done these things or helped in any other way, please know that you are truly loved and appreciated.

I also wanted to let you know that Cheryl and the kids are doing well considering the circumstances. They love their Dad and will miss him dearly, but please know that the kids are in good hands, and please also know that Cheryl has a strong support system (which includes all of you) that will help her to get through this traumatic experience.

In regards to a fund for the family, I am unsure at this time of any plans to set up such a fund. I will be certain to keep you posted if I hear anything on that front.

Thanks again for all of your support and love in this time of great tragedy for our family. I am not a climber, but I can tell that the climbing community is a truly tight-knit group that takes care of its own. Thanks again for your past and future support.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Gruber

Jeremy thanks for taking your time here to post

This is a really tough outcome. I'm reminded (again) that each person who doesn't make it home is somebody's baby, lover, sibling, parent or friend, and that their loss can be really hard on those who are left behind. It reminds me too of how my family likely views my adventures. We are what we are.

Kudos to those who were brave and cared enough to respond on the scene, likewise to everyone who has reached out to Preston's family here, and my most heartfelt condolences to Preston's family.

Jeremy,

Thank you for taking the time to post. I am sure it is terribly hard on Cheryl to write and keep everyone posted. I have heard from a friend that a wedsite might be made for Preston, if you know anything about this could you keep people on this forum posted?

Again Cheryl know that you, Preston and all your family and dear friends are in our thoughts and prayers.

Strength and Love,
Dave, Marcy, Hayden and Holden

Cheryl,
My deepest condolences. Please keep this in mind beyond the terrible time you are in. Should you ever need free help with your home's plumbing I will gladly help, just post me via MP. I am so sorry.

Cheryl, Talia, Noah, Willie, Jeremy, and Preston's family/friends,

I wanted to express my family and my most sincere empathies to you all during this extremely trying time. We, in addition to the greater climbing community I suspect, are deeply saddened by Preston's accident. Though we never knew him, we are certain from reading these posts that he is very well loved and appreciated. Like many others have already stated, our thoughts and prayers are with Preston and you all. Please do not hesitate to ask if there is anything that we as a climbing community could do to assist in any way.

Melissa Mabe

Marcy,
Either I or someone else in the family will be sure to keep everyone in the forum posted about any new developments.

Jeremy

Cheryl and family,
We just heard the news this evening, and we could not be more saddened. We are praying for all of you, please let us know what we can do to help your family get through this horrible time.
Preston has an incredible spirit, he will be in our thoughts and prayers.
All of our thoughts and prayers,
Ryan and Melissa Groelz

To Preston and Family: I do not know Preston, but at this moment time has stopped for me here in Oklahoma. No daily chores, work, or even climbing is important. My thoughts and prayers for you will remain a constant focus.

To Micah and Rachelle, I am humbled by your bravery and courage

To Cheryl, Preston's children, mom, family and so many, many friends...

I am numb with grief regarding Preston's accident and prognosis. I came to know Preston when he became a great and cherished friend of my brother, Tom...or Shaint, as all his dear friends know him by...so many years ago. He has always been a true favorite human being of mine and my family's for as long as we have known him. He always had that big smile of his going, and I can hear his infectious laugh to this day. He was so happy and positive, making you feel uplifted and happy just in talking with him. I last saw him at the memorial for Sal, and the warm and loving spirit that he has always embodied, and in true form especially conveyed at that difficult time, made me feel encouraged about life and learning how to surmount the terrible trials it can throw at you. That his time here has been cut so tragically short as well breaks my heart. Your family has all of our love and support through this time and always.

Preston...I have never known anyone in my life like you, and I doubt I ever will. I will cherish always my memories of you...you and Tom in your ponytail stage, looking like Hell's Angels on the Andy Hardy campus of Carroll, but still the same goofy boys I always knew and loved...meals with my Grandma, you could never believe what a feast it was!...making me feel so special by being the incredibly sweet guy you've always been. No one has stayed truer to themself than you. Your tremendous spirit will live on in all the many lives you've touched...and I, for one, will honor it for the rest of mine. I love you so much....Grandma Irene has another feast waiting for you.

Love, Claud

To the entire Brennan family,

My heart reaches out to you during this most difficult turn of events. Having known and worked with Preston very closely for many years, I know of Preston's spirit and strength; his dignity and compassion will always be with me. I spoke with him this past Friday and he was so clear in his excitement of the life ahead of him. Although we only spoke by telephone, I smiled knowing he was in a good place. Whatever comfort it may bring to you, please know that Preston was doing what he loved to do......what he was passionate about.......and he was living his life just the way he felt he should.

We have had many long talks throughout the years, and I know from those talks that his family was his treasure. I feel honored and blessed to be part of his family. Please let me know if I can be of any help today, tomorrow, or any day in the future. You have my love and support.

Mark Yanowitz

this is sharon preston, preston's cousin. I just found out about the accident yesterday and i am deeply shocked and beside myself. Preston and my two brothers tim and dave just reunited with him two weeks ago after a long time of no contact and it was like no time had passed at all...what a great guy and my prayers [and all of my extended family] are with him.He has to get better because we have way too much to catch up on!

Preston,
I climbed with you at Vedauwoo with Scott Richards a couple of years ago and it's really important that you pull through because we need to return to Windy Wyoming and take care of some unfinished business! My family and I have you in our thoughts and prayers and we send our love to you and your family.
Jim Barker

Preston, Cheryl, kids & family,

"Gizzie" is one of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure to know. Always a good word and smile...I will miss you deeply my friend...

Cheers, elf

I knew preston from high school and he was a great guy then and I can tell from the messages here that he has grown into a very special person. Even though I haven't kept in touch with him, I was looking forward to seeing him at our 30th high school reunion this summer. My thoughts and prayers go out to preston and his family at this very tough and sad time.

I saw the accident and I was with Preston after the fall, by his side, trying to help him breathe. Thank you Brian for running so fast, getting to him first and lying him down. Thank you, Liz, for flagging down help and running to the ranger station. Thank you, Micah. You guided us through with a cool head. I want to praise Michelle and her fiancé for having the med kit full of gauze and helping, thank you. I know none of us ever wanted to have to see this happen, but I am so thankful each one of us was there that evening, working together to help Preston stay here as long as he can.
I have been profoundly affected by this as a climber, as a mother, and as a healthcare professional in this community. I didn’t realize until Wednesday, when I saw a photo I took of him, that I had already had the pleasure of meeting Preston the last week of June. He is a nice man. He spoke of climbing in Eldo and of his kids. My two boys are the same ages as Talia and Noah.
My heart is with Cheryl, mothering their children through this time and beyond. My deepest sympathy and love to all of his loved ones. I am astounded by the outpouring of love from those who love him and those who never knew him but feel connected. May you all have peace.
Rachelle

i believe that god blesses only a few of us in granting us the gift of living the last hours of our life totally engaged in our passion on a beautiful mountain with nothing but incredible scenary and peace surrounding us....climbing toward heaven. your a beautiful man preston and i will always love you. until we meet again you and your family will remain in my heart. the reunion will not be the same without you.....godspeed my friend. nancy riley

cheryl,

When Caren called me my heart sank thinking of you and your beautuful children. I have precious memories of all of us together watching the broncos or buffs. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Thank God Preston was doing something he loved...I hope that offers some sort of peace to you and your family. We love you guys....

Cindy, Leah, & Julia

dear tom,
i have been thinking of you all morning and i know your heart is broken......the last time i saw both of you was at wingers tribute...i love you tom.
nancy

I do not know Preston, but I have been profoundly moved by reading about this tragedy that has befallen him and his family. My thoughts and prayers go out to him, his wife and children, and the rest of his family. These are the times that test our souls and challenge every fiber of our being.

Hello all, my name is Heath Urie, and I'm a reporter at the Daily Camera in Boulder. I'm looking for friends and family of Preston who want to talk about what a great guy he is. Anyone interested can contact me at 303-473-1328. I'm hoping to get some people to chat tonight (7-19). I'm available until 10 p.m.

ALSO, we're looking for a picture of Preston. Anyone willing to share one can e-mail it to me at UrieH@Dailycamera.com.

Thanks, and best wishes.

Also, Anyone willing to share a photo of Preston can e-mail it to me at Urieh@dailycamera.com. We'd love to share his picture with our readers tomorrow.

Thanks again.

Preston died last night. My oldest son Willy and I went to say our goodbyes, I read him letters from his children. I held his hand for a long time and said a prayer with one of our very close friends Denise. She then stayed and had her own last words. There have been a lot of very surreal things happening that tell me that Preston is here. I cannot write that all here, but it is amazing and comforting. I am planning to get a memorial bench or something in Eldorado if that is possible. My Friends are in the process of planning a celebration of his life, it will be in about two weeks. Once again, we thank you for all your support and prayers. I will post more info as it comes. Cheryl Brennan