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Off-Width Loving Crack Whore
Trad climber
SLO
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Jul 17, 2007 - 02:17pm PT
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Don't know what to say other than how f-ing bummed I am.
Michael was a wonderful human being.
While working with him on his biography/tribute to Bachar we had several hour long phone calls that usually consisted of 5 minutes of real work and the rest of the time pure laughter.
If I have to "Remember" him rather than bump into him at J-Tree then that's the memory I'm going to keep.
Thank you for inspiring me Michael.
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asioux
Trad climber
pasadena,ca
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Jul 17, 2007 - 02:55pm PT
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Just got the news last night. Was out at Josh climbing this weekend, and thought to myself I have to drop Mike a line to say hi. I and a friend were just talking about him, and then I got the news. I am very very sad about this. I will miss humor and kindness. Armando
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Conrad
climber
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Jul 17, 2007 - 03:59pm PT
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Michael's personality, love of family and connection to climbing are evident in the previous posts with the many sincere words.
To his wife, daughter, parents and siblings my heart goes out to all of you. The finality of Friday’s accident is a tremendous burden and your well being is with us in thought.
To your friends, Marci and Nikki, who in the coming weeks will be there for you :
thanks.
Your presence will make a huge difference. The solace of friendship is healing.
To Michael – thanks for turning up the volume. You breathed life into the ropeless ascent and in doing so held the bolt of ligtning. As climbers we aspire to grab the bolt and feel it's energy. Few get close, some touch it and the ones that hold it are few. You did so longer than most and in doing so shared it's energy with us.
With condolences and empathy,
Conrad Anker
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Anastasia
Trad climber
California
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Jul 17, 2007 - 04:47pm PT
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I am hoping he is still alive entertaining some unknown russian fisherman with rude gestures and his carefree laugh.
Michael, please make me right about this one.
Anastasia
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apples
climber
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Jul 17, 2007 - 05:56pm PT
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I think that photo is a beautiful thing. When freak accidents like this happen it makes me realize (over and over) that you must live every minute of your life to its fullest because you never know when something will happen and I think that photo really shows that Michael really did do just that.
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Lost Arrow
Trad climber
The North Ridge of the San Fernando
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Jul 17, 2007 - 08:00pm PT
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I wanted to place some flowers on the summit of boulder one with a picture of mike. Can someone post a picturer for me and I can print it out on the laser printer.
Thanks
Jeff
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onyourleft
Social climber
SmogAngeles
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Jul 17, 2007 - 09:08pm PT
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I first met Michael at Malibu Creek. I was traversing the high-water above the creek on my approach to the Ghetto and I heard a top-of-the-lungs scream, a rebel yell, a war whoop at maximum decibels. I turned and saw Michael topping out on some heinous crimp-fest. His absolute joy was so infectious that our whole party ended up mostly not climbing, just sitting, spectating, and admiring this force of nature.
Next I ran in to him multiple times at Boulderdash, Climbing Gym in Thousand Oaks, CA. He was usually there with Marci and Nikki. He was always quick to offer beta on a new route, or a belay to a partner-less climber. He was very proud of his climbing accomplishments but by no means was he a spraylord. He was equally proud of his producing and directing credits in the entertainment industry.
Boulderdash is hosting a Vigil of Hope for Michael's safe return
Wednesday, July 18, 9-11P
880 Hampshire Road, Suite A
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
805.557.1300
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funkness
climber
Ca.
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Jul 17, 2007 - 10:43pm PT
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Met Michael at Stoney Point many years ago, before he was famous. Spent many an evening bouldering with him and the Tuesday/Thursday crew. Back then, he was just a regular dude, never would have figured he'd become one of the most famous free-soloists in the world. His rockstar hair and infectious sense of humor definately made him stand out though. He was a really nice guy, fun to be around, a gregarious individual.
Kinda Ironic, Mike Strassman who recently passed away, was also a climbing video producer, who was very well like by many and had an outgoing personaltiy. RIP
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pyro
Big Wall climber
Ventura
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Jul 17, 2007 - 11:28pm PT
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R.I.P Mr Reardon.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Jul 17, 2007 - 11:51pm PT
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So true funkness that he was just such a regular guy. I remember one evening in J-Tree years back when I saw him in Hidden Valley campground when I was still kind of a greenhorn and he hasn't become Mr. Solo Badass yet. There was still a little light left and the sunset looked like it was going to be a good one. I said doing Overhang Bypass would be a great spot to watch it and he said he hadn't done that route and let's go. I knew he was a far better climber than me and that roping up for a 5.7 could be a pretty unchallenging experience for him but he ran up that thing with enough enthusiasm as if he were freesoloing 5.11. He placed a red alien for me as a directional on the second half. We topped out right when the sunset was hitting perfectly. He even was like "good call, that was a fun little climb. This sunset is sweet!" or something reall positive along those lines. We sat there and laughed and gabbed for a bit then rapped off.
Not many people of his caliber would rope up and climb a 5.7 for a friend, but that's the kind of guy he is. He climbed with pure joy, no matter what he was on. Michael and rock were the most contagiously wonderful combo.
And again I have to concur with what everyone has said about his love and pride for his family. My thoughts are with Marci and Nikki. I sit here thinking how heartbreaking this loss is for all of us, but for them it's so much deeper a loss. I really only met Marci once or twice out at the crags, but she seemed like the perfect match for Michael.
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tradgirl
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV
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Jul 18, 2007 - 03:47am PT
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Beth, you should be able to pick up a USB multi-card reader for about $20.
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Cathal
Mountain climber
Co Kerry, Ireland
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Jul 18, 2007 - 05:07am PT
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Hi all,
Just to let you know, a beautiful ceremony in Michael's memory was held on Valentia Island yesterday evening. A crowd of about 200 gathered to celebrate his life with music, song and many, many stories. It is testament to Michael's popularity that he touched so many peoples lives within his short visits to Kerry. A plaque made from Valentia slate was unveiled by Marci which reads 'Mícheál Ó Ríordáin - An Solas Geal Lonrach. Son, Husband, Father, Friend. Inspirational Free Spirit. 1965-2007'
I only met Michael once, a few months ago in the Gap of Dunloe. There's no doubt, but that he was a larger than life character, inspiring so many on his way (and even courting a certain amount of controversy on his first day in the Gap!).
Good luck Michael, An Solas Geal Lonrach (The blinding light).
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Jul 18, 2007 - 08:38am PT
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From Today's Irish Independent
Renowned climber is praised on fatal cliff-top
By Anne Lucey
Wednesday July 18 2007
ROCK climber Michael Reardon pushed himself to the limit of his abilities, but ships were never meant to remain in harbours.
Tribute was paid to the fearless way the solo climber lived his life, at a moving ceremony on the cliff-top overlooking his last dramatic climb on Valentia Island, Co Kerry yesterday.
Up to 150 people gathered in sunshine to pay their respects to the 35-year-old American who was washed out to sea on Friday, after scaling the cliff-face twice.
A hundred feet below, Navy and Garda sub-aqua teams scoured the sea-bed for any trace of the man renowned among climbers and mountaineers for his daring exploits without ropes or safety equipment.
A traditional lament on harp and tin whistle opened the ceremony attended by the missing man's wife Marci, their 13-year-old daughter Nicki, close friends, members of the rescue services, the gardai, local people and well-known figures from the sporting and climbing worlds.
These included the mountain-running champion John Lenihan and Kerry football great and island native Mick O'Connell.
Father Kevin McNamara, a curate attached to Killarney parish, led the prayers. Michael Reardon "wouldn't hurt a rock by putting a claw into it", in order to preserve it for future generations, he said.
He had left a mark that would never be forgotten. He had pushed things to the limit. A ship was safe when in harbour, but that was not what ships were for, the priest said.
West Kerry GP and poet Micheal Fanning read two of his poems: 'I run with the winds and moods', which he dedicated to Mr Reardon's daughter, and 'Odysseus', a poem about daring people and those waiting for them, dedicated to Marci Reardon.
Extraordinary
Among many contributors, Mr Reardon's friend and mountaineer Con Moriarty, with whom he stayed while in Kerry, said people had gathered to honour "a beautiful man" and a "truly extraordinary" climber. "I saw him as an artist," he added.
Towards the end of the ceremony, Nicki, tearful throughout the hour-long ceremony, spoke briefly of her father who was "louder" than most people and larger than life.
Flowers were brought to the scene along with a plaque made of local Valentia slate. A haunting rendition on the bagpipes of the Blasket island elegy 'Port na bPucai', an air said to echo the journey of the departing soul, ended the ceremony.
Those on the cliff waved to the divers on the boats below.
Mr Moriarty asked for prayers that the ongoing search would bring closure for Mr Reardon's friends and family.
 Anne Lucey
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Jul 18, 2007 - 09:51am PT
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That story of his memorial service sounds really beautiful. Thanks for posting it.
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Jul 18, 2007 - 10:40am PT
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I just interviewed MR for a special feature we were doing for a 25th aniversary release of the ghost movie, Poltergeist. It´s an amazing interview from a fantastic, gracious guy. If you ever get a chance to rent that old Speilberg film, do so just to see MR talk about spirit guides and his free soloing (he provided some great free soloing footage as well).
I am very sorry and my deepest condolences to his wife, daughter and all his many friends.
JL
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Jul 18, 2007 - 12:08pm PT
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I would also like to know what actually happened to Mike.
There´s this version--
They had just completed their climb and removed their gear to go walking when one of them "slipped on kelp".
"He fell about 70 feet into the water," the spokeswoman said.
And this version--
On Friday last, Michael was climbing beneath the Fogher Cliffs on Valentia Island, Co Kerry. Having completed his climbs for the day he was packing his equipment when he was swept out from the base of the cliffs by a wave. His companion raised the alarm immediately at the nearby Coast Guard station and a rescue was launched immediately.
Those are two totally different scenarios.
JL
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jstan
climber
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Jul 18, 2007 - 12:23pm PT
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Eyewitness report from post 107 by "ruby".
This is a report from his friend, the photographer Damon Corso, who was there at the time:
"It was just another day of climbing on Atlantic sea cliffs in Ireland with Mike (Reardon). We had arrived on Valentia Island in a slight fog and drizzle. Mike took me around the bottom of Wireless Point to an inlet merely 15 feet above the roaring Atlantic, a situation we were now used to. We arrived at a spot he had climbed at alone two weeks prior. Mike up and downed two different climbs while I shot photos trying to combine him and the raw force of the waves crashing all around us. He finished the two climbs and was waiting, on an-algae covered platform, for the big swells to pass by so that he could walk back over to me on the opposite side of the inlet. A rouge wave came into the inlet and curved rightwards as it crashed into Mike. He tried to stabilize himself on the platform but the water was too powerful and sucked him in. The current pulled Mike out 150-plus meters in mere seconds. I ran up the hill to the Valentia Coast Guard station a mile away. Mike was still conscious in the water when I left him. The Coast Guard arrived on the scene no more than 15 minutes after the incident. Mike was nowhere to be seen at this point. Twelve volunteer rescue boats, the Coast Guard Lifeboat and Chopper were on the scene that evening."
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Brunosafari
Boulder climber
Redmond, OR
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Jul 18, 2007 - 12:43pm PT
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John (Largo)- Jstan is referring to a July 15 report from www.ukclimbing.com.. The report is adamant that he did not fall seventy feet, nor was he actually climbing at the time the wave hit him.
Bruce (check your e mail)
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cintune
climber
Penn's Woods
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Jul 18, 2007 - 12:49pm PT
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Kelp is the slippery stuff that grows below the low tide line, algae is the slippery stuff up higher on the rocks. Seems like a simple misstatement.
The Irish seas are profoundly, mythically treacherous.
Cuchulain stirred,
Stared on the horses of the sea, and heard
The cars of battle and his own name cried;
And fought with the invulnerable tide.
-W.B. Yeats, Cuchulain's Fight With the Sea.
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Rubi
Mountain climber
Vancouver Island, BC
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Jul 18, 2007 - 04:05pm PT
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Michael knew me as Rubi. I was one of his Outlaws.
A recent interview went like this:
"The Outlaws - who is this bunch?
The Outlaws are a group of misfit wild children who are the baddest motherf*#kers on the planet that do what they want, when they want, and always back each other up regardless of the situation. We’re about living life to the fullest with the understanding that when we slide into our graves, it’ll be as used up husks laughing that it was a helluva ride."
For as sad as I am about the passing of my dear friend Michael, I know how I have to continue on. I know that life must be lived to the fullest, that we all 'slide into our graves' at some point. My life will be ever effected by the time that I spent with Michael, and the other Outlaws (I will always have your backs). Michael's spirit and pride live on as strong as ever. I will share the spirit that you shared with me, I will connect with others the way you taught me was possible, and I will climb my pants off. Whatever I do - I will 'own it'.
It was a hell of a ride indeed.
Rest in Peace Brother
Please observe the following photos with respect for the man, myth, LEGEND, and his beautiful family.
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