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The Eastern Sierra climbing community has lost one of its pioneers. Mike Strassman, 47, died last week in Lone Pine; cause of death is under investigation.

An eastside fixture for over two decades, Strassman was best known for his work in developing local climbing areas and for his adventure sport videos.

Born in Southern California, Strassman was raised in Illinois but returned to the west coast to study film at UCLA.

Strassman then moved to Mammoth and began his career at a local television station. His big break came with his 1988 film "Moving Over Stone," one of the first to feature the sport of rock climbing. Strassman also achieved success with his production company, Range of Light, by creating a vast library of extreme sports stock footage.

His name is most familiar to anyone who's picked up an Eastern Sierra climbing guide book. Strassman played a key role in creating climbing areas in the Owens River Gorge, Alabama Hills, Rock Creek and Granite Basin. His climbing and mountaineering resume also includes some 35 first ascents in the High Sierra.

Additionally, Strassman authored several climbing books - both area guides and instructional volumes.

Numerous posts at the climbing Web site supertopo.com attest to Strassman's well-regarded place in the climbing world. "He certainly was happiest when he was hanging on by the ropes, fingers and toes," wrote his sister, Debra Cowan, on the site.

A friend of Strassman's offered an apt eulogy on supertopo.com:

"I cannot remember a time I encountered him when he was not high energy, driven, with a big smile and contagious humor.

"RIP my friend, may your spirit soar up those new routes you were always seeking."

The Strassman family is planning an early August memorial service.