Mike and I learned to tie our first figure eight knots together a long, long time ago. We suffered through every conceivable misadventure (and some that were not) on our course from gym-rat top-ropers to alpine knighthood. Too many tales to list here.

In the early days, he had a bottle of Burmese whiskey that he always threatened would be opened when the good stuff ran out. I swear he hauled that same bottle on our winter trip up Whitney and Lone pine peak and throughout several Yosemite and J-Tree trips. It was finally opened one tentbound evening in the Sawtooths. We laughed, choked and sputtered until it was no more.

Such a sad tragedy to lose Mike this way. He was a tough climber, a great writer, and an excellent friend.

That is really sad. Michael wrote some great TRs and used to post on here as michaelj

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/ ... 2811.story

Michael was the first person that I ever met and climbed with through SummitPost. He had a great outlook on life and had perfected the climbing lifestyle. It's very sad to hear of someone who has passed. But it is reassuring that it happened on his own terms during the pursuit of his nirvana.

I remember a post he made here, telling himself to 'sack up' and make difficult moves on a route on Wall Street. He did, and then broke his ankle. Conquering fear is a dangerous thing to do, but for most of us the rewards while living are worth the risk of death. Good luck on your next big adventure, Mike.

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a great, no bs tribute there, Chief. one look at his profile and you know MichealJ was the real deal, not a journalist dabbling in the "art"...I'm glad he left us a legacy of good writing, too. that will be my "homework"


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Very sad indeed. RIP, Michael.

Very sorry to hear this. I'm saddened when people who love what they do can't do it anymore. But I also have faith that he is likely doing something better... RIP Mike.

I enjoy Michael's writing. I'm sorry to hear the sad news. RIP.

Thanks for the thoughtful memories and tributes.

Here's his profile page: http://www.summitpost.org/users/michaelj/23482

wow.... deeply saddened and shocked by this news.

At a loss for words.

Condolences to all who were close to him.

Mike, so glad to have met you. Sorry we never got to do a trip together. Your spirit will live on.

This is really sad.

It's never easy to lose a friend, especially if that friend is also a climbing partner. I lost my best friend and climbing partner of twenty years to cancer about ten years ago. I lost another great friend and climbing partner to breast cancer a month ago. I didn't know MichaelJ, but from what I see here, he was a great friend and a solid climbing partner to many. I am sure we all have felt that when it's time for us to go, we hope it would be in the mountains. Unfortunately, Michael's time came too quickly. Rest in peace Michael.

My heartfelt condolences to all his friends and family.

VERY SAD.

Michael stayed with me and we climbed together back when I lived in Boulder. Super nice guy. So full of energy. Will miss him.

RIP Michael

What a terrible loss

http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web12x/ednote-ybarra