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Michael Reardon - Pro Blogs
On July 13, the climbing world lost a great one: Michael Reardon, 42, the accomplished free soloist from Oak Park, California. Reardon met with a freak accident at the headland of Dohilla, on the island of Valentia off the southwest coast of Ireland.
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 "We only get one shot on this dustball..."
On July 13, the climbing world lost a great one: Michael Reardon, 42, the accomplished free soloist from Oak Park, California. Reardon met with a freak accident at the headland of Dohilla, on the island of Valentia off the southwest coast of Ireland.  Michael Reardon Tribute Gallery
Photos by Mark Niles — I climbed with Michael for nearly two decades, from the early days of lycra-clad bolt clipping to long trad routes in the Sierra and Needles. After ascending 280 routes solo in a day at Joshua Tree, Michael wondered if he could leave his rope in a closet for a year. That year never ended … We were partners always, and where I could not follow, my lens endeavored to capture his passion for climbing without a net.  Michael Reardon Tribute Gallery
Photos by Damon Corso — Petrala.com — Blessed is the word that best describes my time spent with Mike Reardon over the past couple of years. Upon our first time climbing and shooting together we instantly formed a bond greater than just friendship. He became my brother, my protector and my mentor. As you can see through this gallery of images, Mike and I did just about anything we wanted, wherever we wanted (in SoCal). The following images have been compiled from our trips to Joshua Tree, The Needles and Buildering in Los Angeles, sights I'm sure you have all become familiar with when you think of ‘Uncle’ Mikey. I hope these images will inspire you to push your limits not just in rock climbing but life as well ... climb on Mike. 7/23/07 - Valentia Island lies off the southwest corner of Ireland, off the famed Ring of Kerry and forming the southern arm of Dingle Bay. Fogher cliffs lie at the northern side of Valentia near where the first trans-Atlantic cable brought Morse messages to Newfoundland, 150 years ago. 7/15/07 - Michael Reardon, 36, the accomplished free soloist based out of Oak Park, California, went missing off the southwestern coast of Ireland around 5 p.m. Friday.  Reardon - Pro Blog 5
Chaos follows me everywhere. I arrived in Killarney, Ireland, barely rested from the ten-hour plane flight, and surprised my friend Con Moriarty by showing up two days early. Big smiles and bigger hugs came from everyone at his outdoor shop. It had been too long since I last shared a pint with everyone, and Con suggested I spend an evening camping in a beautiful location before crashing at his house. Reacquainting myself with the land of my ancestors, is something I cherish every chance I get.  Reardon - Pro Blog 4
People ask how I train for climbing trips to which I can only tell them there is no guidebook, but there is a 21 day tour of my life with my friends/family, otherwise known as The Outlaws, might help ...  Reardon - Pro Blog 3
The dime was too small to edge, too sharp to smear, so I smedged it with my foot. I could feel the razor lip slice into the rubber sole, a fishhook mocking the new technology of sticky rubber. My left hand reached behind a water-thin flake of white quartz, the pinky knuckle locked into place. I pulled on the miserable jam as my other foot tap-tapped its way up the opposing wall until finding a smedge of it's own.  Reardon - Pro Blog 2
I landed in Denver in the dark and cold, bored from being stuck on a plane with blue-haired ladies and watered down wine. Living on the California coastline has made me a princess when it comes to traveling where the sun doesn't always shine, but visits away stop me from being idle when I am home and always improves my ability to climb harder.  Reardon - Pro Blog 1
3:12 am. I always wake up at 3:12 am. Too late to party, too early to start the day, and there are times that I’ve done both. Here at home I keep it simple and sit up. Used to my habit, my wife Marci remains asleep, pulling away and curling her body around Bailey, the 6-pound Papillion with a Napoleon complex.  Michael Reardon in Joshua TreeCheck out a quick tour of lots of Joshua Tree routes without a rope. Great music and a cameo from the stonemaster himself, John Bachar.  Reardon running laps at Malibu CreekMichael Reardon soloing in southern California. Good sport routes without that pesky rope to get in the way.  Stoney Point climbing with ReardonMichael Reardon solos everything at this classic area. Good old music with lots of pulse raising exposure. 5/18/04 - Californian Michael Reardon free soloed more than 280 routes at Joshua Tree over 19 hours in late April. |
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