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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Feb 16, 2018 - 06:57pm PT
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They broke the mold the day Jim entered the world
and there will never be another exactly like him.
His heroics made us believe the impossible was attainable.
I honor his memory and may God guard his family against despair.
Yeti, that is one helluva group portrait.
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Sula
Trad climber
Pennsylvania
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Feb 16, 2018 - 06:57pm PT
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What's the feeling that's submerging, drowning the sadness?
Respect.
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HF
climber
I'm a Norwegian stuck in Joshua Tree
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Feb 16, 2018 - 07:15pm PT
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"To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die."
ALFRED LORD TENNYSON
To Jims family and to all his close friends I send my sincere condolences. He will be missed by many. Today is a sad day indeed.
HIlde Fonda
Joshua Tree
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steve s
Trad climber
eldo
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Feb 16, 2018 - 07:18pm PT
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Sad to hear this the passing of a legend. He truly pushed the climbing to new levels and was quite the character. We met a couple times in Camp 4 in the 80,s. A few beers some smoke and sh#t taking. It was real. Rest in peace Captain. My condolences to his family, friends, and the climbing community.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Feb 16, 2018 - 07:23pm PT
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Just reflecting, that as wee lads in the late 50s and early 60s we had our European heroes in Gervasutti, Bonatti and Terray and in Yosemite Salathe ,Steck, Harding and Powell.
The lads of today and the future will have their Pratt, Sacherer, Robbins and now, more than ever one to identity with in Bridwell.
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Risk
Mountain climber
Formerly TMJesse
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Feb 16, 2018 - 07:27pm PT
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My condolences to Jim's family and friends. An American icon. I feel privileged to have been part of Jim's community of people BITD, and to have met up on our mutual paths in life.
Chris Runner
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Feb 16, 2018 - 07:40pm PT
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Feb 16, 2018 - 07:45pm PT
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Condolences to Jim's family and friends.
It's tough to say goodbye, but it is all part of this amazing adventure called life.
Jim's was a life lived to its fullest. We should all be so lucky.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 16, 2018 - 07:45pm PT
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Doug, good to talk today. Glad you saw Roy, hope he got his hug.
Peace Brother
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Feb 16, 2018 - 08:18pm PT
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Bumper sticker on our car: "My best vacation is your worst nightmare." Jim Bridwell.
Adios, master.
BAd
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Roger Breedlove
climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Feb 16, 2018 - 08:41pm PT
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Last month, Peggy reached out to let me know how serious Jim's condition was. When I called, he recognized my number and answered with a vigorous hello. He was in good spirits and sounded strong and sharp, although I caught some of the tells of liver failure in occasional slurred words. Jim was hopeful as he talked about the prognosis and Layton's fund-raising efforts, but I think we both knew how close the edge was.
He marveled at the calls he was receiving from all over the world, even Cleveland. I did manage to tell him how much he mattered to me and those of us who climbed with him and how much he shaped climbing. By force of Jim's skill, leadership and warmth, he crowd-sourced the explosion of climbing talent in the Valley in the early 70's. Everyone was welclome. He nurtured us all. His response: "I like people!" Did he ever.
Lots of life lived and no regrets, no regrets. Peace to Peggy and Layton.
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Modesto Mutant
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
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Feb 16, 2018 - 08:54pm PT
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I was fortunate to have met and spent time with the Bird back during the taping of Mike Hoovers "Survival of the Fittest" He was cordial, kind, respectful, funny and full of life. It meant the world to me. Later when I would see him in the Valley he always had a kind word for me even though I considered myself to be a 'Sub-Dirt-Bag'. He was a genuine American Hero. RIP Jim. Your memories will live forever through your routes and through legend.
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Feb 16, 2018 - 08:58pm PT
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Jim was a climber of mythical dimensions when I first went to the Valley in 76.
The PO and Sea set the standard to aspire to in hard nailing and Camel plains at the belays were essential for any big aid route.
I got to work with Jim on Cliffhanger and share a rope with him in Josh back in the mid nineties.
Like Largo said, if you tied in with Jim you were connected to the history of climbing itself.
Condolences to Jim's family and friends.
RIP Jim
PB
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Eric Beck
Sport climber
Bishop, California
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Feb 16, 2018 - 09:11pm PT
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Jim and I did the 3rd and last ascent of Lower Cathedral Rock NF. The following winter a flake we climbed behind for 2 pitches came off. Jim led a difficult offwidth at the top of the flake. I don't know if I could have led it.
I first met him in the winter in the valley. He announced that they were going to climb the NE Buttress of Higher Cathedral Rock. There was 2 feet of snow and giant icicles dangling off the overhangs at the top. They didn't get up it, but did get up 6 pitches including some hard climbing. We referred to them as the "Higher Rock boys." A cool harbinger of all that would come.
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Fossil climber
Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
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Feb 16, 2018 - 09:52pm PT
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I never climbed with Jim, but worked on a couple rescues with him. We sort of felt like having him with us was a sort of secret weapon.
Great life, Jim. Have a good rest.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Feb 16, 2018 - 09:59pm PT
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I've always thought talented climbers were impressive, but that's about it.
From the stories I've read and heard about the bird, he was much more than that. To be at that level and still giving his time be with friends and to teach noobs is admirable and just plain awesome.
How many world class climbers take people up their first lead and teach basic skills in parking lots?
I never met him but wish I had, seems like the kind of guy that makes the world a better place.
Happy to hear that his friends are there to support the family that has lost him. I pray he's in a better place.
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Minerals
Social climber
The Deli
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Feb 16, 2018 - 10:04pm PT
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A true inspiration, he was my big wall hero.
Condolences and best wishes to Peggy and Layton, and those who are close to him.
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