Go Fund The Bird!

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Bruce Morris

Trad climber

Soulsbyville, California

Jan 27, 2018 - 02:10pm PT

I think it's because the great majority of climbers coming along today were introduced to climbing in gyms on plastic and never began their climbing on real rocks. However, the very best gym climbers do know about real work climbing accomplishments, especially when they go on road trips and explore areas. Think numbers and demographics fuel the ignorance.

Don Lauria

Trad climber

Bishop, CA

Jan 27, 2018 - 02:21pm PT

It was June of 1966. Bridwell and Fredricks plopped their gear down on my Camp 4 table. Jim was excited about the new route he and Chris (and Faint and Berry)had just put up on Higher Cathedral. You gotta do it! It's great! And it's easy!

My most memorable Bridwell moment.

originalpmac

Mountain climber

Timbers of Fennario

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 27, 2018 - 02:30pm PT

One of my first Valley rock climbs back when I was 20. I remember bleeding from my knuckle and trying to clot it with chalk. The smell of blood, chalk and granite, that wild and easy move high up stepping out and right above some big exposure, hiking down the gully in the dark and seeing head lamps on El Cap strewn across it like stars in the sky, thinking to myse if that I would one day be one of those lights and then years later remembering that thought from high on the Zodiac... Fond memories to say the least.

Lynne Leichtfuss

Sport climber

moving thru

Jan 27, 2018 - 03:20pm PT

I came late into this fabulous campfire. It's an awesome one, no doubt. Sure there have been the negative speakers, but far, far outweighing them are the people that help, support and give love along with caring.

We are, each one of us, one of a kind, very special creations. Some of us are able to step beyond the restraints of "regular life" and show us what can be achieved on this planet.

Jim Bridwell is one of these people. He has shared his wisdom and experience with the rest of the world, climber or not. I give Jim great kudos. For those that tear at the fabric of climbing greatness, do what he did and then come back and let us know you have no imperfections.

ron gomez

Trad climber

Jan 27, 2018 - 03:45pm PT

Lynnie, thanks for driving me n Yerian to see Jim earlier this week. I hope I have just a bit of his positive outlook, true appreciation and Love for his friends when I'm down and out.
Lauria...thanks for thst post...I'll mention it to Jim, undoubtidly he'll recall every minute detail of it! Still has an incredible recall memory.
Peace

ron gomez

Trad climber

Jan 27, 2018 - 05:18pm PT

Lauria, just got off the phone with Jim. He was thrilled to hear your name and recounted a story of you and Kor on Leaning Tower, 60's, with the Tower coated in icicles. Said when you got down your hands were "a bloody mess." Also told a story of a guy from Mexico named Sergio. You sent Jim some money to help Sergio and Jim took him in for the season...went on to do the Nose and another wall on El Cap. He really lit up talking about you! This is the treasure I get from his friendship these days...stories no one else hears about!
Peace

Todd Gordon

Trad climber

Joshua Tree, Cal

Jan 30, 2018 - 07:16am PT

Visited Jim in Loma Linda yesterday;....he was getting his hair shampooed, and having his blood filtered through the dialysis machine. He says he is going home soon....but at home he will still need dialysis 3 times a week and a medical caregiver to keep an eye on him. I think he still needs a new liver, but he is keeping his good looks, good sense of humor, and fighting spirit. He seems determined to beat this challenge but it's not an easy road. From his 3 weeks in the hospital, he is thin and weak in body, but feisty and spirited as always. It was good to see him. He appreciates any contact, communication and visits from his pals.

hooblie

climber

from out where the anecdotes roam

Jan 30, 2018 - 07:39am PT

that would be sergio fitch watkins.

i met him in '75? and his respect and gratitude for his mentors came through loud and clear.
we climbed together in yosemite, canon tajo and mexico city.
don and jim can be proud of having set him on course.

this from his supertopo PM back when it worked:

... great to hear from you after all this years,i am still
active guiding for mountain travel Sobek from USA, but i still live in
Mexico city, i been guiding for them for 37 years and they travel me
like crazy, has been good life ...

well heck: http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=748989&msg=748989#msg748989

ron gomez

Trad climber

Jan 30, 2018 - 09:03am PT

That's it hooblie! I knew it was a different last name coming from Mexico, but that wasnthe name Bridwell mentioned.
Peace

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jan 30, 2018 - 09:11am PT

hey there say, ron... i can send cards...

should i send them to you, or, is there someone closer, that
will get to see him, when he is home??

just let me know...

:)

drljefe

climber

El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson

Jan 30, 2018 - 09:53am PT

Thanks Todd Gordon for the update on Bridwell.

After checking back in on this thread,
I wanted to apologize for what I wrote earlier (and maybe shouldn’t have written in the first place.)
I definitely don’t agree with or support anything Fleeting wrote.
Words like his are hutrful, to Jim and to those who are close to him.
It was a total dick move on his part.
And even on my part, to address his post and sound like I agree with him or advocate his sentiments, was lame.
All I should have said was
All the best to Jim! Hoping for a swift and awesome recovery.

My apologies to Bullwinkle and anyone else who I may have pissed off.

Had to get that off my back.

outrageous

Ice climber

isle 9

Jan 30, 2018 - 10:09am PT

i could have better presented the sour truth.
something like,

"maybe after all of these kind people share their
resources with jim, he will reconsider his
political bent, which denies strung-out people help that they desperately need."

because, punters, the absolute truth
is that by supporting the republican
party, jim has consciously decided
to turn his back on immigrants, refugees,
poverty-stricken americans, etc. the list is long.

i'm no saying that we shouldn't help those in need.
i am pointing out the thick irony and double standard
represented in jim's case. that's all.
when others need help, jim tells them to f*#k off.
and ahm no talking about letting dirtbags sleep on his
couch or in his yard. no ahm talking about
extending compassion to strangers that have hell handed
to them on a large scale.

i send loads of money, last year, to social programs
and advocacy groups that are starving in resource-shortage
due to jim's vote.

i respect immensely those of you whom give, laterally.

i am irate with those as#@&%es among us whom horde their
excesses (no matter how minute that excess might be) and refuse
to help others.

ron gomez

Trad climber

Jan 30, 2018 - 10:21am PT

Good on you drljefe!

Locker YOU can justgive me big bundle of cash!! Oh yeah.. I’ll make sure Jim gets it!
Haha
Peace

ron gomez

Trad climber

Jan 30, 2018 - 10:39am PT

I was just kidding Brother, I'll look into it for you. Thank you for your consideration and generosity. He maybe getting released soon!
Peace

Pick up yer phone!! Got some info for you. Left message on yer phone

ron gomez

Trad climber

Jan 30, 2018 - 02:52pm PT

Roger, don’t know if it’s case sensitive
Peace

donini

Trad climber

Ouray, Colorado

Jan 31, 2018 - 02:52am PT

As I said earlier, Jim and I go way back and he was there for me big time when my son died. I will continue to help. Yes, Jim’s politics are deplorable. Perhaps he now sees that the government he detests is there for him with medicare and the conservatives he supports would like nothing better than to do away with it. Where would people like Jim be without a government saftey net...however meager by European standards.