tradgirl
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV
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Jul 18, 2007 - 12:47am 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 - 02:07am 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 - 05:38am 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 - 06:51am 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 - 07:40am 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 - 09:08am 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 - 09:23am 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 - 09:43am 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 - 09:49am 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 - 01:05pm 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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Anastasia
Trad climber
California
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Jul 18, 2007 - 04:45pm PT
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Dear Marci and Nikki,
I will never forget how you and Michael helped me through the trade show accident that changed my life. Michael was one of the first people I called knowing that if anyone could help the situation, he could. God, I never expected to be in this place where I need to reach out back to you.
I had the pleasure to know through Michael that you two are the most wonderful and inspirational women on this planet. He lived and breathed through you.
I believe this continues in an alternate existence where Michael is doing his own version of maximizing the experience.
I am sure you will continue to celebrate his life with every step you take until you meet again. As for myself, I will never stop being affected by his existence as my friend and mentor. I believe that I live a little brighter and a little larger for it.
Anastasia Frangos
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up2top
Big Wall climber
Phoenix, AZ
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Jul 18, 2007 - 05:06pm PT
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Rubi -- those are some outstanding shots. Amazing, really.
Ed
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nynz
climber
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Jul 18, 2007 - 07:08pm PT
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rubi,
thanks for sharing those
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Jul 18, 2007 - 08:47pm PT
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Rubi thanks for sharing those pictures. They really captured all that was Michael. Michael spoke of you Outlaws in his Climbing magazine blog.
Patrick, thanks for posting the article on his Irish memorial. It sounds like the perfect way to honor such a great soul, and the people of his ancestral homeland doing it in such a traditional way.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Jul 18, 2007 - 08:49pm PT
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Words escape me.
What an incredible human being. I wish peace and comfort for his family and friends.
So sad. He accomplished so much.
Glenn
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maldaly
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Jul 18, 2007 - 08:53pm PT
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Rubi, those are so special. I wish I had some photos of Michael like that.
Mal
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Fixdpin
Trad climber
Porterville,CA
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Jul 18, 2007 - 09:20pm PT
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If Michael is gone it will be a huge loss! He is a wonderful guy, totally great heart and mind, and one of the most passionate people I have ever had the pleasure to talk to. What a bummer!
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immanti
climber
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Jul 18, 2007 - 09:31pm PT
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It’s hard to write this, since I still cling to the hope that he’ll show up sometime soon, with an incredible tale of how he was picked up by a Russian submarine, rescued by a whale or something. People saw Elvis after he died, yet some don’t believe it to this day. Maybe we should expect future reports of some unknown, naked climber seen soloing somewhere in Patagonia. For now I’ll say I feel lucky to have known you, worked and played with you for a while and, until we meet again, I’ll raise a pint for you and try to play, work, love and live just a little harder. Thank you Michael.
Dario
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Grant Horner
Trad climber
Castaic, CA
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Jul 18, 2007 - 10:22pm PT
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I was at La Casitas restaurant in Idyllwild last Saturday night with Bob Yoho & Chris Gonzales -- we were at Tahquitz all day training for a NIAD run this Friday -- and Bob and Janey Passiniri came in and sat with us. Janey, who is very close to the family, sat next to me and a few minutes later got a phone call from Mike's wife, who was flying to Ireland. At that point all they knew was that a wave came in, pulled him out, and he had not been seen since. I sail in the ocean quite a bit in Southern California, and I can tell you it does not take long to become very weak in the open sea if you end up in the wet -- even in our mild climate. Very sad...
I met Mike one time in the main gully at the Needles -- he was soloing of course -- and I found him to be very friendly and down to earth...
--gh
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