Nationality American Spouse Marci Reardon (m. ?–2007) Role Climber | Name Michael Reardon Type of climber Free Solo | |
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First ascents More than 150 First Ascents Solos, includingWaiting for Guntess (5.13a) at Malibu Creek State Park, CAShikata Ga Nai (V5.12) at Needles, CAMRSR (5.12a) at Joshua Tree National Park, CARainy Days (5.12d) at Ailladie, Ireland Major ascents Notable Solo AscentsEquinox (5.12c/d) at Joshua Tree National Park, CAEBGBs (5.10d) at Joshua Tree National Park, CAGhetto Blaster (5.13b) at Malibu Creek State Park, CAUrban Struggle (5.12b) at Malibu Creek State ParkLateralus (5.14a) at Malibu Creek State ParkPirate (5.12c/d) at Suicide Rocks, CAOutrage (5.13a) at Boney Bluffs in the Santa Monica Mountains, CA (On-Sight)Romantic Warrior (V 5.12b) at Needles, CA (On-Sight)Sea of Tranquility (V 5.11d, A0) at Needles, CA (On-Sight)214 routes in England including Neon Dust (5.13b/c) at Froggatt (On-Sight)Palisade Traverse (VI 5.9) in 22 hours (the previous ascent took 12 days By Scott McCook and Adam Penney) in the Sierra Mountain Range, CA (On-Sight)Favorite ClimbThe Vampire (III 5.11) at Tahquitz, CA Education University of California, Los Angeles, Pepperdine University Movies The Punisher, Red Hot Shot, The Princess and the B, Livestock Similar People Piero Zuffi, Jonathan Hensleigh, Tony Plana, Oliver Stone | ||
Michael reardon tribute avi
Michael Reardon (May 1, 1965 – July 13, 2007) was an American professional free solo climber, filmmaker, motivational speaker and writer. Reardon, at age 42, perished after being swept to sea by a rogue wave, shortly after climbing a sea cliff at Dohilla in County Kerry, Ireland.
Contents
- Michael reardon tribute avi
- Michael reardon documentary
- General information
- Climbing history
- Scholastic history
- Professional history
- Death
- Notable achievements
- Related companies
- Sponsors
- References
Michael reardon documentary
General information
Michael Reardon was one of only a few professional free-solo climbers. He traveled the world looking for the next ultimate solo climb, giving motivational speeches and presenting slideshows.
Reardon was known for leaving mementos for those who followed him. Examples include plastic tigers attached to bolts and oversized panties in summit registers.
He lived with his wife Marci and daughter Nikki in Oak Park, California.
Climbing history
Reardon started climbing as a child on the boulders in his grandfather's backyard. Together with his cousins, both his climbing skills and his interest in climbing were challenged and developed. Bouldering in a backyard turned to three-day hikes in the Appalachian Mountains, and then to hiking in the Rocky Mountains. Reardon eventually found himself in California where his climbing skills were fostered even further.
Reardon’s first formal climb was at Tahquitz, California on a 1,000-foot route called Whodunit (5.9), with a “crusty old climber.” As the story goes, halfway up the route, the crusty handed Michael some gear and told him, “You’ll use these when you’re scared.”
After the successful ascent, the pair had enough time to climb a 500-foot 5.7. Reardon had now officially caught the climbing bug. Because he didn’t have any friends to climb with, or any gear of his own, Reardon was forced to start climbing without ropes. He returned to the 5.7 climb, and soon found himself at the top, without having to rely on any ropes.
Scholastic history
Reardon attended the University of California at Los Angeles, graduating with B.S. degrees in Philosophy and Political Science, then later graduated from the Pepperdine University School of Law with a Juris Doctor Degree.
Professional history
Reardon acted as the Head of Business Affairs for Harvey Entertainment, then as a Partner/the Head of Production of Black Sky Entertainment. At the time of his death, he owned Jumprunner Productions, a video production company that produced several documentaries about notable rock climbers.
Death
At 5pm Irish Standard Time on July 13, 2007, Reardon was reported missing after he was hit by a rogue wave and swept out to sea, shortly after climbing down the 600-foot (180m) Fogher Cliff (Lat 51.9236; Long −10.3556) just west of Valentia Coast Guard Station in County Kerry, Ireland. A coastal search was immediately undertaken by the nearby Coast Guard lifeboat, a rescue helicopter, cliff rescue teams and local people, who searched unsuccessfully. His body was never recovered.