| In Malibu Creek State Park, Michael Reardon's home
stomping grounds, three to four hundred of Michael's friends and
family gathered beneath a large canvas. The canvas adorned with
many incredible and inspiring photographs from Mike's amazing
life.We came together to remember him, and to share some of our
favorite stories from his colorful life and personality. The celebration
began with a traditional playing of the Bagpipes, in honor of
Michael's Irish heritage. From then on, Mike's closest family
and friends entertained us with some great stories of Michael
and his antics. |
We laughed, we cried, and then we
laughed some more... alot more! It would seem that everyone
that ever met Michael, they all agreed that he was quite a character!
And it seemed that everyone had stories to back it up! It would
also seem that Michael liked to keep company with characters,
because many of his friends were quite funny as well. Colorful
metaphors, profanities, outrageousness, more profanities, and
a few downright vulgar stories. Yes, Michael would have been
proud of this gathering! Freesoloing legend and oldtime JTree
local John Bachar also spoke briefly at the podium, paying Michael
the ultimate in respect in reguards to his soloing exploits,
specifically mentioning Michael's onsight freesolo of Romantic
Warrior at Needles as being one of the great accomplishments
of freesoloing history. The celebration concluded with about
seventy five or so climbers converging at the Steppingstones
and Ghetto areas and having a great day of climbing.
-R. Miramontes
Photos by C. Anastasi
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