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hamie
Social climber
Thekoots
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Feb 16, 2018 - 03:24pm PT
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Goodbye old friend. It's a sad, sad day. Thanks for the tips and the good times. You will be remembered wherever rock climbers gather.
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karabin museum
Trad climber
phoenix, az
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:05pm PT
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Many Blessings to the Bridwell family.
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Mark Rodell
Trad climber
Bangkok
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:09pm PT
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In 1970 I would wake early in C4 and hurry to cafeteria. There over endless cups of coffee I would listen to Jim hold court. He was kind to me. He lived life fully and his spirit lights all cliffs: unique and wondrous.
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kaholatingtong
Trad climber
The fake McCoy from nevernever land.
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:09pm PT
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Drinking malt liquor and smoking bowls in your honor at a secret spot in Yosemite with a killer view. The sun is working its way down and I can not stop thinking...fly free, bird, you will not be forgotten, A birds feather, floating past on the wind, dancing and exploring this special place, it feels as though apart of you will always remain here. RIP
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Yeti
Trad climber
Ketchum, Idaho
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:18pm PT
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Peace, respect and my deepest condolences to Peggy and Layton. I will always be grateful to Jim for his friendship, guidance, inspiration and, of course, some very very good times. Another one gone from this group.
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:23pm PT
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Rest well jim. You deserve it. What an incredible existence. Condolences to family and friends.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:23pm PT
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A remarkable, complicated, innovative man. Chouinard said that Yosemite was the true training ground for the modern alpinist....Jim made that statement true. He took his skills, honed in the Valley, to the crucibles of extreme alpinism and created climbing works of arr.
Jim had an outlaw, hardman image but beneath that tough exterior there beat a caring heart. When my son passed away at age twenty Jim called me on three seperate occasions....his kind words were hard to hear thru his tears. I will never, never forget that.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 16, 2018 - 04:43pm PT
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He was a sweet soul Donini! I cry for my lose but feel good he is in a better place! So grateful to be at his side today.
Peace
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klaus
Ice climber
6th and Mission
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:44pm PT
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See you in the next world. I'll try not to be too late.
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gunsmoke
Mountain climber
Clackamas, Oregon
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:48pm PT
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The most important figure in the development of A5 big wall climbing.
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Hubbard
climber
San Diego
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Feb 16, 2018 - 04:59pm PT
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Spoke with him in Joshua Tree on several occasions. Friendly and straight forward. I asked the questions and he gave the answers. After those encounters I spent a longer time hanging around with him at a trade show. He was depressed that he was old. He was wearing a bathrobe and living room slippers. He honestly thought nobody cared about his routes any more. I set him straight about that. We all still cared and that he was the best of the best. As gnarly and tough as he was it was refreshing to see that he had feelings and did care what other people thought. It didn't take long to see that deep down he was a kind soul. He helped anybody who asked.
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snakefoot
climber
Nor Cal
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Feb 16, 2018 - 05:04pm PT
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RIP, fn legend....
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Feb 16, 2018 - 05:23pm PT
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10:53 am, 2/16/2018. The great man passed.
Condolences to all who knew him, and especially to his immediate family, Peggy and Layton.
"The Bird" was only possible at a certain time and place, and his time stretched across decades and the places are too many to recall.
He was more than a mentor, but also a father figure.
He will always be The Captain to me.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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Feb 16, 2018 - 05:26pm PT
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QITNL, so much thanks for the picture you posted!!! It reminded me I was the so blessed person to be one of the first ascentionists on a tiny route put up by Todd Gordon in JTree with Wendell called The Hammer. Of course Todd used Jim's hammer to put up the route.
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F10
Trad climber
Bishop
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Feb 16, 2018 - 06:08pm PT
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A legend for sure and more important a great person.
RIP
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Fogarty
climber
BITD
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Feb 16, 2018 - 06:09pm PT
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Thanks for your inspiration and most of all your friendship,
God Speed JB❤️
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Feb 16, 2018 - 06:25pm PT
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Good to hear your voice earlier today, Ron. We picked up Roy as promised and the three of us made our toast.
The first time I met Jim Bridwell was about 20 years ago during one of our NYE stays in Joshua Tree. I was taking this nice young lady on her first lead on Upper Right Ski Track (5.3). When we arrived Jim and his client were just gearing up. We were ready so he let us go first. She was taking a while so he asked if he could lead up behind her and give her some tips. She had no idea who he was. One of the greatest legends in modern free climbing history was giving her a free lesson on leading rock.
Meanwhile Jim's poor paying client is shivering in the shade and about to get sick because of the exposure. His client aside I couldn't be happier about what I'm witnessing. I've finally met the legend and I get to watch the sun go down on the top of Intersection Rock with him.
His client belayed him and went down so I cleaned his gear. He had slung a horn and I commented "old school" which he heard. I forgot his response but it was classic Bridwell. On top he showed us his new idea for a belay device. He swore me to secrecy. Once we got down he asks, "got any beer?".
RIP
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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Feb 16, 2018 - 06:32pm PT
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Our community, our campfire is so empty without the presence of the Master, Jim Bridwell.
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Feb 16, 2018 - 06:44pm PT
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RIP Jim, one of the greatest forces in the sport. Fly high!
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Feb 16, 2018 - 06:53pm PT
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QITNL
I picked up that hammer in the course of a Bird fund raiser. It was passed down the line for others to use/feel the vibe. El jefe gordo did indeed put up a route with it as Lynne noted (there are photos, but over several moves and new 'puters I've lost them).
According to Doug Robinson that whammer was an original, one of a kind Bird prototype; don't remember the period it was born but figure it was sometime in the 80's. Last I saw of it MIKE had it. Cheers and take care of that puppy!.
Shout out to R Gomez and Todd for their efforts over the recent years.
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