An Adventurist Editorial: The Stephen Fossett Debates

We should have all seen this one coming from a mile away–

Going into days 5 and 6 for the ongoing search of legendary adventurer Steven Fossett, people are starting to take their focus off of the search and more onto the debates surrounding these types of events when they occur–

First it began with how great of an adventurer Steven Fossett is.  Over the past few days this focus has slowly moved to the motives of a “Risk-Taker” and if Stephen Fossett’s family should be charged for the search currently taking place.

Both of these items are highly debatable and both of them generally always surround a high profile search, especially if the person involved was also a part of anything that has a certain risk-factor to it or has been the focus of media attention in the past.

Personally, I began taking notice of these debates around December of last year when three climbers became lost on Mt. Hood.  The ensuing search, that garnered massive media coverage, soon became a debate for a cause. 

It may be the cause of the general media’s focus to always provide something new to a highly viewed (and rated) story.  Running out of new leads, they hop back on the bus and get everyone involved in raging debates that once again spark interest to previous stories of the same general nature.

Two questions always emerge:  Should the families of the person being searched for have to pay for this service?  And secondly–the risk involved.  How could they do this to their families and loved ones?  What is it about risk that triggers these people to always endanger their lives? Read more

Michael Reardon: Video Celebration Part III

Part III of the Michael Reardon Video Celebration takes a look at Michael and one of his favorite climbing spots–Joshua Tree.  If you are not familiar with Joshua Tree, Michael recently had an article appear in Urban Climber Magazine that he wrote after one of his recent outings.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dojDFsoZ0ms]

All of this, of course, is leading up to the Official Michael Reardon Celebration taking place at Malibu Creek State Park outside of Los Angeles, California this coming Saturday.  Family and friends will be coming together to celebrate a life in the fashion that Michael would have wanted it done…climbing and having fun.  If you would like to recieve more information on this event, please send me a brief email through my “Contact & Submit” page and I will quickly forward you the official flyer.

Michael Reardon: A Video Celebration Part II

This is the second part of a video celebration on the life of American Free-Solo Climber Michael Reardon.  On August 18, Michael’s family and friends will be coming together at Malibu Creek State Park outside of Los Angeles, California for a celebration of the man that touched so many people’s lives.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E89t8qI1tH8]

This video actually takes place at Malibu Creek State Park, the location for the upcoming family and friends celebration on August 18.  If you would like to learn more about this event, send me a brief message through my “Submit & Contact” Page and I will promptly email you a flyer.  Let’s all come out and support this great event.  Promises to be alot of fun, and what better way to pay tribute to Michael then climbing some of these great lines that he enjoyed so much himself. 

As you watch this video, please keep in mind Michael’s wife and daughter, family and friends.

Michael Reardon: A Video Celebration Part I

As we march closer to the Michael Reardon Celebration being held on August 18th at Malibu Creek State Park outside of Los Angeles, California,  I thought it would be nice to see some videos of Michael.   Six days remain to make plans to join the family and friends for the celebration of a life that touched many, many lives…not only in the climbing community, but around the world. 

Over the next few days I will be posting my own celebration of Michael’s life through video, brought to you by YouTube.  Hope you enjoy.

As we watch, let’s all keep Marci, Nikki, and the rest of Michael’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers–J. Alan Hendricks

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TO2Hrp7cYI]

This first part features Michael climbing at Stoney Point, California on a typical day.

If you would be interested in recieving the official Michael Reardon Celebration flyer, send a brief message through my “Submit & Contact” Page, and I will promptly email it to you.  It has the directions to this gathering of friends and family of Michael Reardon.  All are invited to join in the celebration–and bring your climbing clothes..it promises to be a great time..just like what Michael would have wanted.

Official Michael Reardon Celebration August 18, 2007–More Info Update

I previously made a post concerning the “Official” Michael Reardon Celebration taking place on August 18, 2007. Here is a bit more information.

Celebrate Michael Reardon

August 18, 2007–9 am

Malibu Creek State Park, 1925 Las Virgenes Rd., Calabasas, CA   91302      (818)880-0367 for more info.

Dress:  Climbing Casual.

Come ready to listen as Michael’s friends and family celebrate his life, his accomplishments, and finally get a word in edgewise without his blessed interuptions.  Bring your gear and climb with us when your done.  FREE PARK ENTRY & PARKING

All of this information is coming directly from the official flyer that I have been supplied with from a friend of the family.  The flyer itself is beautiful, but it was sent to me in .pdf format, so I am trying to figure out a way to post the flyer at this time.

In a previous post, it was mentioned that this was a Memorial to Michael Reardon, at this time, it is being corrected as a Celebration.  No Memorial will be taking place, but this is the closest thing you are going to get. 

Michael Reardon will always be thought of as the Happy-Go-Lucky Persona that he was, caring first about family and second about climbing….but always celebrating life to its fullest.  If you are in the area, please stop by and show your support not only for Micheal Reardon, but also his family who was the inspiration and drive behind Michael’s greatest of accomplishments.

Official Michael Reardon Memorial Set For August 18, 2007

A special service to celebrate the life of Michael Reardon, who tragically disappeared off the coast of Ireland two weeks ago, will be held on August 18, 2007.

This special service will be taking place at Malibu Creek State Park located 4 miles south of highway 101 on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road, 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles, California.

This will be the “Official” Memorial and Service for Michael Reardon.  Everyone is invited, but guests are being asked by the family to dress very casually in jeans or shorts and sneakers or flip-flops, Michael’s preferred style of dress.

Marci and Nicki, Michael’s wife and daughter, will be attending this special ceremony, as will many family members and friends. 

If you can attend to show your support for this great family in these trying times, please make plans for August 18.

As far as I know, this is the first report of this Memorial Service anywhere else in the world, and as such, it is requested that you pass this information along as far and wide as you possibly can.  This family deserves this special time and the more people involved, the better.  Michael touched alot of lives through his own.  His number 1 love in life was not climbing, but his family.  It is time to show them all the appreciation–

Michael Reardon Family Fundraiser

This flyer is currently making the rounds for the Spot Bouldering Gym in Boulder, Colorado.  They are hosting a benefit fundraiser for Marci and Nikki, Michal’s wife and daughter, respectively.  If you are in the area, swing on by and show your support for this awesome family.   Show them you care.

Boulder, CO to hold Michael Reardon Rememberance and Fundraiser

Spot Bouldering Gym in Boulder, Colorado will be holding a gathering on Thursday, July 28 to remember Michael Reardon and to help raise funds for Marci and Nikki Reardon.

A friend of Michaels has put this together to celebrate the life of his good friend Michael Reardon, who was tragically swept out to sea this last week.  As of this posting, his body has yet to be found.

The gathering, hosted by Spot Bouldering Gym, will feature food and drinks, a Michael Reardon slide show, as well as a climbing gear raffle to help benefit Michael’s family.

If you would like to show your support of Marci and Nikki in these trying times, it is highly reccommended that you try to make this event.

Spot Bouldering Gym in Boulder, Colorado is one of the premier climbing gyms in the world.  The 10,000 Sq. Ft. facility features free standing boulders up to 18 ft. high, as well as rocked walls and roped climbing.

If you would like to learn more about Spot Bouldering Gym or about this Special Michael Reardon event, it is encouraged that you email them at shout@thespotgym.com

The cost will be a $10 donation at the door

Free-Solo Climbing? Magazine Looking to Interview YOU!!

Would you like to be interviewed for a magazine?  A good friend of mine is currently seeking Free-Solo Climbers to interview for an upcoming magazine with Free Solo Climbing as the focus of this special issue.

With the recent death of Michael Reardon making headlines around the world, it has brought this sport into the headlines like never before.  Want to speak out and be a part of this experience?  Send a short note to my email in the box below.  (It goes directly to my email)

As if this isn’t cool enough, there is going to be a Michael Reardon tribute, photos, and interview, with the tribute written by myself, as well as an interview with the man known as “Spiderman”, Alain Robert–who has scaled some of the world’s toughest climbs, as well as tallest skyscrapers…YIKES!

Let me be absolutely clear.  I am currently looking for Free Solo Climbers (Only) to take part in a special magazine dedicated to this sport.  If you are a Free Soloist..Contact me!  Through this process, the goal is to help demystify a sport that gets a lot of bad press.  This could very well be a crucial piece of the puzzle in the sport we all love.  Now get to writing….

[contact-form]

Wednesday 8pm: A Time to Celebrate–A Time to Mourn: The Life of Michael Reardon

It looks like quite a few people have picked Wednesday as the day to remember the life of Michael Reardon who tragically has been lost at sea.

Boulderdash, Michael’s hometown climbing playground, will be holding a vigil for Michael from 5-8pm.

I am also hearing that a group from Pennsylvania is planning on getting together in Philadelphia at a pub to do the same.

Let’s all remember that Michael never wanted us to mourn his death–according to him, he wanted us to have a drink and laugh…I know that will be hard to do pending the circumstances, but he wouldn’t want it any other way…

8 pm Wednesday night.  Make plans to stop what your doing for a few minutes.  If you have a drink by all means give the guy a toast…if not, then just take a few quiet momments to remember Michael and his family.  Meditate, say a prayer–whatever it is you need to do, by all means do it.

Tomorrow I will be taking a look at a few of Michael’s accomplishments in the climbing world…I should be here most of the day.  If you feel the need to stop by here and post your thoughts, by all means do it.  Alot of people are not sure what to do, but I can guarantee you that his friends and associates are looking at this site.  Many of them have posted comments.  So if you have any fond memmories or stories to tell–any encounters with Michael that you would like the world to know about, feel free to put them up by posting a comment–

Please join me tomorrow in a celebration of the man and the myth…..the friend…the husband…the father….Michael Reardon as we take a special look back…

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