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American rock climber (1965–2007) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Reardon (May 1, 1965 – July 13, 2007) was an American professional free solo climber, filmmaker, motivational speaker and writer. Reardon died at age 42, after being swept to sea by a rogue wave, shortly after climbing a sea cliff at Dohilla in County Kerry, Ireland.[1][4][3]
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2009) |
.jpg) Michael Reardon free soloing Lower Right Ski Track (5.10b) on Intersection Rock in Joshua Tree National Park. | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | May 1, 1965 Quonset Point, Rhode Island, US[1] |
| Died | July 13, 2007 (aged 42) Valentia Island, County Kerry, Ireland[1] |
| Climbing career | |
| Type of climber | Free Solo |
| First ascents |
Waiting for Guntess (5.13a) at Malibu Creek State Park, CA |
| Major ascents |
Equinox (5.12c/d) at Joshua Tree National Park, CA
|
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, the Ninja Turtles, blow up dolls, and oversized panties in summit registers.
He lived with his wife Marci and daughter Nikki in Oak Park, California.
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 chose 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.
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.
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.
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 (51.9236°N 10.3556°W) just west of Valentia Coast Guard Station in County Kerry, Ireland.[5][6] A coastal search was immediately undertaken by the nearby Coast Guard lifeboat, a rescue helicopter, cliff rescue teams and local people, who searched unsuccessfully.[7][8] His body was never recovered.
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