A world renowned rock climber drowned after being swept out to sea by a wave as he celebrated completing a descent of one of Ireland’s most treacherous cliffs.

Michael Reardon, 33, had climbed down more than 600ft (180m) of the sheer Fogher Cliffs on Valentia Island without using ropes or harnesses. As a photographer took pictures of the jubilant solo free climber perching on a rock ledge a few feet from the swollen Atlantic Ocean a powerful wave engulfed him.

The Californian law graduate and film-maker was swept out to sea. Despite searches by lifeboat, Shannon search and rescue helicopter, coast-guards, cliff rescue teams, divers and local people after the accident on Friday, his body has not been recovered.

Gerry O’Brien of the Valentia Coast-guard said that the towering cliffs were a “very unusual place” for people to be rock-climbing. Mr Reardon’s wife, Marci and daughter, Nikki, 13, arrived from America yesterday to visit the coastline where he drowned.

Mr Reardon was one of the world’s leading free solo climbers, a sport where ropes and other safety equipment are shunned.

He had travelled the world climbing some of the most demanding cliff faces and even buildings. He funded his exploits by making films of his most dangerous ascents. He explained his passion for climbing without ropes on his website, freesoloist.com. There he labelled himself “Michael Reardon, Life Without Limits” and admitted that some people felt his sport was “insane, ego-driven, and just plain stupid”.

Valerie O’Sullivan, a photographer from Killarney who had accompanied him on a number of climbs, told The Times that his death had shocked the climbing community in Ireland.

“He was standing below a climb he had just completed and the photographer, Damon Corso, was about 30ft away taking pictures of him.

“Michael was on a real high after the climb. He was about 10ft above the sea and he let go and had his hands out, celebrating, to say he had completed the climb of his life. But then a rogue wave just came in.

“The wave hit him on the knees and he lost his balance and slipped on the algae. He was shouting for help but there was nothing Damon could do.”

Miss O’Sullivan said Mr Corso raised the alarm from his mobile telephone. “It is very unpredictable and there are some very powerful waves,” she continued. “It’s a bottomless pit made up of caves and caverns below the water. It is treacherous.

“Everyone is devastated. Michael was larger than life. He was a very careful climber and made it look easy. He was the Steve Irwin of climbing.”

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