Where's yer rope?

Tied to his back

So here's the question: Did he solo the route with a rope tied to his back or did you both climb the route roped but this is him popping back down a little to pose? It's tough to know whether there is a cataclysmic drop beneath him or a ledge the size of a football field.

He soloed another route and caught up with us and in the pic he is at the top of a pitch of moderate ice.