Bear in mind that I don't know jack about climbing but from what I gathered he was free climbing but he had rope so he could climb without his supplies getting in the way or unbalancing him. He had reached the top then was rappelling down to his supplies. I think the plan was to spend the night at the top and go back down the next day.
This was a difficult climb but I think not the first time he had made it and he had made more difficult climbs or been one of the first to make certain climbs.
Just what I remember from a couple articles I read a few days ago. Can't swear to their accuracy or mine. From the picture what he had was a skinny rope, less than 3/4". Been decades since I have seen climbing rope but it was much heavier than what was pictured. The main article I read was a bit confusing. Apparently what they found indicated he had made the climb, now was moving supplies up.
I don't know. Incredible what all the radical sport guys do now, but a fair amount die here and there too. I was watching motorcycles a day or two ago and it reminded me that it was a huge deal about the time I was considering motorcycle racing, just to land front wheel first without being an instant crash! That was radical about 1970!
Hu