Climber injured/decks in Eldorado Canyon this morning

I spent the last three days in Denver with Mike and his family, they are grateful for all the support from friends and family members, it means a great deal to have so many people call and write nice things on the message board, believe me, none of this goes unnoticed.
Mike has always spoken highly of his family but I never had the opportunity to meet them until this past weekend. They are all so nice, I immediately felt like they were family. Mike would always talk about his dad since they were regular golf buddies or his brother Pat who had his own plane and was the VP of a company in Texas and his big brother Randy who works for Black Diamond and is a talented artist. Mike loves his family and his family thinks Mike hung the moon, “Mike can do anything”.

On Sunday, I drove Mike’s truck back to Oklahoma. For ten hours I reflected on my friendship with Mike. The two of us have spent countless weekends climbing in Oklahoma and Arkansas. We would always end the climbing day or weekend of climbing with “man that was so good, we are so lucky to have this place”! It didn’t matter where we were or what we were doing we loved being outside and never, ever had a weekend that was just OK, it was always “the best weekend ever”.

Mike has always been way supportive, and has always down played his climbing accomplishments, never one to boast about what he has done, which are mind boggling to ponder. I have been fortunate enough to get stories out of him but sworn never to divulge any of it which pisses me off!! Arguably, Mike is probably one of the most talented climber’s to come out of the Midwest. His accomplishments are countless and mind bending.

Mike is a true climber in every sense of the word. Our styles are so different.. He is a purist through and through. Where I would approach climbing from a training mindset, planning out every detail, Mike would not train, he would just climb. Although, I did talk him into running laps on routes on occasion which he did enjoy. Try climbing Amazon in 1 min 45 sec.! I know I’m bragging on him but he wouldn’t mind too much on that one… He loves Quartz and talking about Quartz is all good in his book.

Just two weeks ago we had a shin-dig at my place and of course Mike was there enjoying the fun. He showed up with a styrophome cup for the keg which I quickly replaced with a one liter glass beer stein, he just grinned when I handed it to him after filling it with beer.
Although the styrophome was better for keeping the beer cold it didn’t have the cool factor of the large German stein. There were lots of people there that night so we didn’t get to talk too much until everyone left. Mike and I went out and sat on the curb around 2:00 am just to talk, not sure what the subject was but it never mattered to me, I just enjoyed his presence. I would give anything to turn back the clock and be sitting next to him on that curb on that night. Whenever I saw Mike I gave him a hug. I always told him that I loved him like he were my brother, I meant it and he knew it.

While in Yosemite last month I gave Mike a call from the base of Half Dome. We had some weather move in so he checked the radar for us. Funny thing, Mike helped me get ready for Yosemite all spring but when I asked him if he was ever interested in going back out to the valley he would say “those days are over”. Mike had his valley days, climbing El Cap, Astroman and many other routes. He didn’t like the crowds. But, he was always psyched to help me train for my exploits and was so psyched to hear how the trip turned out.

One day we were talking about Yosemite and I mentioned a couple routes that I had done. Jazzed about getting them clean, I asked Mike if he had climbed them. He just grinned. This meant he had on-sight soloed them. I remember my response like it was yesterday… it was “damn, that is bad ass”! He never talked about it again.

As of this morning Mike’s condition has not changed, he is still in a Level 1 coma. His vital signs are good, his pulse is rock solid. An MRI was done yesterday. The results show signs that Mike way wake up, we are hopeful that he will.
Please keep Mike in your thoughts and prayers, he would do the same for each and every one of you.

Peace,

Tony

Just read your post Tony and it brings tears to my eyes. Lives are all so precious. Mike know that all the best prayers are going your way. Faith can move mountains.

Tony, You are a true friend to Mike and your eloquence and sincerity is obviously heartfelt and very moving.
I am sending good thoughts and positive energy to Mike and to his family and friends.

Go Mike.........

Hitting the ground hurts, surviving it hurts even more...

I hope he pulls thru with it, he sounds like a strong and positive person...

Oh he's gonna pull through. An old school climber, please.

Any updates?

I wanted to answer your request and give the latest on Mike.

Randy phoned this morning and said that last night Mike blinked his eyes so great sign. Then this morning at 4:00 am his nurse, Rhonda, said that Mike woke up! Yes he woke up! She gave him some commands to wiggle his toes and then move his arm but nothing then she asked him to stick out his tongue which he did! We are so excited; it looks like the Doctor nailed it last week when he said that Mike would in fact wake up in about a week! Everyone agrees it was fitting for Rhonda to be there as she was there for him that first night he came in. While we all wish we had been there when he woke up..…well that’s classic Mike style for ya.

Mike has had surgeries almost everyday last week, so he's had to endure quite a bit; this too has probably slowed down the waking process. His major surgeries are over so he's on the road to healing. I will be going back up next week to see him, maybe he'll be well enough to talk by then, I hope so.

A big thanks to the nurses and docs who have done a remarkable job in caring for Mike, even staying late after their shift just to make sure that Mike was taken care of. The whole Hankins family as well as me and Lori want to thank everyone who have called, emailed, prayed, sent good vibes and posted on this forum with well wishes for Mike, the support has been so heartfelt and is appreciated more than words can describe.

When there are changes I will do my best to post them here and at our local site wichitamountains.org.

Sincerely,

Tony

That's great news, Tony.

Tony--

Thanks so much for both your thoughts and experiences with Mike, as well as updates on his condition. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I check back on this thread frequently to check up on Mike's progress. I don't even know him but still want to know how he's doing.

It's great to hear he's regained consciousness!

--Marc
Wishing the speediest of recoveries from Lafayette.

That is really fantastic news... I also check this thread very regularly and I wish all the best for Mike in his recovery!

Absolutely brilliant news. Though I do not know Mike his fall has affected me quite a lot and I have had him in my thoughts every day since seeing him loaded into the ambulance eleven or twelve days ago. Hearing this good news is a real joy. Keep it going brother!

I am more than elated. This is such great news! My thoughts have certainly been with Mike and his family since day one. I am excited and hope that Mike can make a great recovery! This accident has changed my life in profound ways and I hope I can someday soon visit Mike and get to know him a better way. Thanks for keeping us posted. I hope to continually hear good news.

Best wishes for continued progress. Go Mike!

RIGHT ON! Thanks Tony for keeping updates on MP, I have not been able to get to the Forum page on the WMCC site (for some reason?). MIKE, I knew you could do it bro! Stay STRONG!
Sincerely, Thank YOU ALL for sharing your thoughts, prayers and positive energy with Mike. He is healing and getting better!

Any update today?

My deepest sympathy for Randy & the family; best wishes to Mike.

Keith G.

The latest from the Boulder Daily Camera: Fallen climber emerges from coma

Way to go Mike. Keep fighting!!

Great news! Keep fighting Mike, we a rooting for you, buddy!!!

One foot in front of the other -- keep stepping up Mike! I don't know you, but positive vibes are being sent your way!

Bump for Mike. Hope he's doing better!