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dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
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Jul 21, 2006 - 08:44pm PT
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Author:
Sandy
climber
From: Here's a post about Michael Reardon that is not up for debate. One that I think is based purely in fact. I don't consider myself a jealous hater, see what you think-
MR is either:
a) an enormous liar
b) someone who intentionally and consistently takes enormous, exorbitant risks (beyond just about anything I’ve ever heard of, in any area of life) *with a wife and young child at home*
c) both of the above
Whichever answer is correct, he gets zero respect from me.
I felt the same way about Dan Osman. His daughter is growing up fatherless. The defining feature of his life, in my eyes, is not that he freesoloed Atlantis with 2 broken ribs. Big deal, superstar. You left a daughter fatherless for no reason.
Reardon's child must grow up knowing that her dad is either A or B (or C) above."""
BWahahahahaahh!
YOU think you can make serious logical errors and claim your post is not up for debate??
THE flaw is in point 2.
For someone who free solos at the 5.12 level consistently and lives, they are capable of climbing MUCH harder. 5.12 is probably no that much risk for Reardon, even though it woudl be extremely perilous for most of us.
I have seen a seriously good climber go up 5.10 like it was nothing, running the pitch out until he got to the 5.11 part, and call it casual climbing. HE could easily solo 5.10, while most of us would not dram of this.
So your 'pure fact' is not fact at all, merely YOUR opinion.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Jul 21, 2006 - 09:08pm PT
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Hi joe,
How's trix in LA?
Hey Coz!
Haven't seen your sad sack fer ages.
wuz up?
luv,
Tarbousier,
aka,
Mr Potatoehead to you,
or just Roy.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Jul 21, 2006 - 09:42pm PT
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I'm just too darn shiftless
To post this up under an alias.
Too busy to get a yahoo acct.
Not creative enuff to lay out another handle.
So here goes:
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westhegimp
Social climber
granada hills
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Jul 21, 2006 - 09:49pm PT
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SWilliams,
Bwahahaha! That was the best post Ive read. O yeea!
"Homo Joe, were't you personally invited to Joshua Tree to hang with the men, then begged off like a coward? You missed out - tic tic boom, baby, the bomb's exploding in your face like the little boy you're dating. And I was there when the man himself stopped in the gym and all you did was cry."
" Mike Reardon invites Steve Edwards & Joe Hedge to J Tree " But you didn't show.
HJ or JH You could have seen for your self exactly what you claim to want to see. Even though you arnt a 'credible, or a disinterested witness' Troll
Wes
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jul 21, 2006 - 11:42pm PT
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Hedge's question is entirely rational and reasonable.
Soloing 5.12 is not all that reasonable and rational though.
I'd like the simple answer too but have to admit, back when I used to solo more, I wouldn't want anybody around for the harder and sketchier sends. Too much need to focus and not have pressure of eyes on me. Didn't matter at all on the easier stuff.
Peace
karl
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Kevin Daniels
climber
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Jul 21, 2006 - 11:49pm PT
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mike Reardon
kevin daniels here. lets grab warren and go climbing.
kevin daniels
714 642 5354
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westhegimp
Social climber
granada hills
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Jul 22, 2006 - 03:09am PT
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Joe,
I'm at Malibu Creek tomorrow morning(early). Come down and Ill tell you in person.
Wes
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mso4 Man
Trad climber
Western MA
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Jul 22, 2006 - 08:56am PT
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Dingus to answer your first ? about who solo'd supercrack and then fell on TR the next time? It was Russ Clune.
peace
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bob d'antonio
climber
boulder, co
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Jul 22, 2006 - 11:05am PT
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This thread is bullshit!! Get a life.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Jul 22, 2006 - 12:26pm PT
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bob d'antonio wrote:
This thread is bullshit!! Get a life.
But it's such entertaining bullshít.
Please shoot me if I ever get a "life".
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Jul 22, 2006 - 12:47pm PT
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LOL hardman knotty:
that is some funny stuff.
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westhegimp
Social climber
granada hills
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Jul 22, 2006 - 03:51pm PT
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joe,
Just got back from MC, missed you! In the past I've posted a bunch of stuff I've seen Mike do. To you I'm not credible or a disinterested witness. That is why you were invited to come and check it out for yourself. But you always have some lame excuse.
Wouldn't just soloing at the level he claims to be at in front of credible, disinterested witnesses pretty much answer everyone's questions?
At least two things wrong with your post.
1. Your an idiot/ troll who will never be satisfied.
2. There isn't anyone 'disinterested'
Wes
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Jul 22, 2006 - 07:22pm PT
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Hey Coz, don't be a stranger!
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jul 23, 2006 - 01:19am PT
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Although my case of beer on on Reardon sending the Vampire, I do think Hedge's line of questioning is reasonable.
If somebody hasn't witnessed Mikey solo hard stuff, so what? Say so and that's just a data point. Being evasive about it is kinda annoying like all the other countless times these internet chats ignore the pressing question that are like an elephant in the room.
Peace
karl
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Anastasia
Trad climber
Near a mountain, CA
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Jul 23, 2006 - 04:51am PT
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Alright! What the F*ck is everyone's problem? One fact stands in my mind, John Bachar has dared that if one of you can follow Reardon for a day, he will give you a LIFETIME SUPPLY OF FREE CLIMBING SHOES!!! WHAT! NO ONES TAKING!!!! WHAT THE F*CK!
DUDE! WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT YOU! If you are not taking because you lack knowing where to show up for a chance to follow Reardon, I am sure you can e-mail Bachar through Acopa and they will remedy the situation...
Still no takers! Is it because of SCHOOL/WORK/LIFE?! Then when do you climb? Never? ARE YOU JUST A SH#T TALKER?!
The fact is I've seen Reardon solo hard routes in JTree. I respect him. Yes, I also call him my friend and that is reason enough for me to fight for him... What, you still can't understand why?
I'm getting a headache from all this shallowness.
-------------------------------
P.S.
Hey Wes, I still owe you a beer for baby-sitting me... E-mail me if you ever have free time before I move to Mammoth.
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Degaine
climber
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Jul 23, 2006 - 05:51am PT
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I believe Mike, in the few interactions I have had with him, I have never had any reason to doubt him, but I am usually one to give people the benefit of the doubt. Plus, my ego and self worth do not rely on Mike failing, so I have no personal interest in doubting his claims or slandering him on the Internet.
As to answering the questions posed, aside from the Internet drama that draws us here as so astutely pointed out by Mr. Knott, who cares? Is Mike getting press time that some of you think you deserve instead? Is it that he has a personal website with photos and text of certain outings? Lot's of people do. In addition, he seems to be damned if he does, damned if he does not: talking about any accomplishments makes him a showboat/sprayer whatever, and if he does not show proof, then he's apparently a liar until proven otherwise. How many of you over the years have posted that one does not talk about one's soloing?
Kevin,
I got Warren to go climbing at the gym about a year ago, see if you and Mike can convince him to get back outside.
Cheers.
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Tommy
Big Wall climber
London
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Jul 23, 2006 - 07:27am PT
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I was around when MR visited the UK recently (Sheffield) and saw him climbing firsthand. Before I met him, I felt quite inspired by a lot of his climbing exploits and was prepared to be impressed if I ever saw him climbing in person.
Well, to honest, I thought he was crap (relatively). Quite surprised me really. Yes, he's a pretty funny guy, nice personality and has a VERY smooth climbing style, BUT.... he's just not that strong. I've free soloed quite often around the 5.12 mark (on routes I have wired, mostly) but I don't think he's strong enough to be climbing what he claims (unless everything is totally wired).
Anyway, I'm sure that he enjoyed climbing here without loads of people who instantly recognised him, as it quite stressful thinking that you always have to perform. I would be interested to hear if he sent anything hard on his trip to the UK.
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Jennie
Trad climber
Salt Lake
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Jul 23, 2006 - 09:28am PT
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I'm not part of the California climbing scene and don't know Mr Reardon so my opinions count for less, in the core question, than those who climb there and know the players in the drama. I'm amazed by the attention that has been focused on his free soloing. Climbers free solo in the Rocky Mountains, too, but there is much less fanfare associated with their feats.
Controversy can become addictive. I hope I don't forget to eat, sleep, feed the cat, water the plants or talk to my boyfriend since I became wrapped up in this back and forth argument. But what is the argument really about, when you strip away the venom, sarcasm,name calling etc. ?
I obviously don't have the ability to compete with Mr Reardon or the credentioals to challenge his claims. But I have to agree with Karl Baba, that it is reasonable for local climbers to expect some tangible information about what SPECIFICALLY he has done free solo. Especially since Mr Reardon and his friends have promoted the legend. Some are so wrapped up in the legend that they're not analyzing or attempting to explain it in concrete terms.
Reputable people say he soloing a grade (or two) above established standard. I am inclined to believe what they say is true.
If a person prefers to climb anonymously and keep his or her accomplishments to themself, that is their prerogative. But can you have it both ways? If you choose to promote yourself and allow your friends to promote your legend, isn't it reasonable for the climbing public to ask for a tangible description of the feats? That's all.
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Degaine
climber
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Jul 23, 2006 - 01:37pm PT
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Jennie,
I actually think it is very unreasonable that any climbers expect anything from Michael. Other than internet drama (which I agree is very entertaining, and something I'm so easily sucked in to), I'm really not sure how any of this has an effect on their lives or their climbing in any tangible way. All the whiners in this thread have had ample opportunity to ask him these question in person and have chosen not to. Hell, they probably know how to get a hold of him or someone they consider to be "credible" but decide instead to complain about him on the internet.
He's not pounding pins or drilling bolts where he shouldn't, quite honestly all of these discussions here or on rc.com seems like, well for lack of a better expression, a bunch of dick waving. Those who are crying for proof additional to what Michael has said, to what others have confirmed or to what photographs have shown, don't like him anyway and will never be satisfied. They seem either disappointed that their heros of yesteryear did not do it first, or that they did not do it first. Those who like the guy or have nothing against him take his word for it or don't care.
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Anastasia
Trad climber
Near a mountain, CA
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Jul 23, 2006 - 02:03pm PT
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The fact is everyone likes to point fingers. Now if they would just back up what they say and follow MR for one day to prove his lack of skill... If they can prove MR is not worthy of his reputation, "I would bow down and agree."
--Yet if no one is going to take John Bachar's offer, then all of you should bow down and admit that MR is the real thing.---
Then again, that might be too hard on people's egos. I think many will never believe in Reardon no matter what proof is given because it would prove them wrong.
I hope that this idea is false because I want to believe climbers are better then that. I want to believe that many of us like to support each other. I like to believe that most of us love seeing someone do something great and new because it is fun! We don't take it as a personal challenge against our own capabilities, I like to think we take it is a example of what "we can all do." I think MR is just showing us the way, now how many of you will take it?
Will one of you win the challenge of shoes for a lifetime? Can you? I am not afraid of being proven wrong...
Are you?
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