FALL ON ROCK, PROTECTION PULLED OUT

Colorado, Eldorado Canyon State Park, Bastille, Werk Supp

On July 14, Preston Brennan (47), an experienced climber, and his partner were climbing Werk Supp, a 5.9 route located on the Bastille. Witnesses noted that while on the first part of the climb, Preston had placed two nuts and was working on the third for quite some time. He placed another about ten or so feet above the third. While placing the fifth piece, he lost his grip and fell, hitting the left side of his forehead on rock and losing consciousness for the rest of the fall, since he made no sound and came down “like a rag doll”. Two of the nuts pulled. He fell at least 50 feet suffering serious brain injuries, which eventually led to his death a week later. (Source: H. Urie, The Daily Camera, July 19, and a series of postings on mountainproject.com)