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.
