One year ago: John Bachar

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Legendary rock climber John Bachar once posted a note in Yosemite offering a ‘$10,000 reward for anyone who can follow me for one full day.’ There were no takers.

Bachar became known for a type of climbing that did not involve ropes or safety equipment.

He died a year ago after a fall near his home in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. He was 52.

‘It took superior training and complete control over his mind-set to accomplish what he did, and in a way it is only a climber that can truly understand what he represented to the sport,’ friend and climbing photographer Phil Bard told The Times.

Bachar’s obituary was published July 8, 2009.

--Keith Thursby