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Doaner
Mountain climber
Tustin
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Feb 16, 2018 - 12:46pm PT
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I had a chance to party with Jim once at a memorial party in JTree for Blitzo. Roots had taken me in 2013 (I think it was that time) as I was getting back into climbing after a long hiatus. I didn't know who he was, or what he represented at the time, but I was just downstairs at the party, beer in one hand, and Jim partying up a storm and talking politics. Something skunky was in the air and I said to him, "Oh... smells good brother!" and he goes and passes me some greens, perfectly rolled. We shared a joint, talked about life, struggles, and how lame the government can be. I can't comment on him personally, but the short experience I did have says a lot. He was a good man and a legend.
I was gifted this carabiner and belay device that belonged to Jim from a collector friend (whom I will not name). Honored to have it. RIP,
 Doaner
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Feb 16, 2018 - 12:47pm PT
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RIP, Jim............and my best wishes to Peggy, Layton, and his friends and family. I got to spend much of a day climbing with him many years ago, and I remember being surprised by how nice and funny he was...I was very much in awe of his legend, and assumed he would be somewhat arrogant, but he was nothing of the kind. It sounds as if he's been struggling for some time, so I hope he is at peace..........and I hope Peggy and Layton feel that, as well.
cheers,
Pam
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Lassitude 33
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Feb 16, 2018 - 12:51pm PT
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It is hard to overstate Jim's influence and impact on modern rock climbing, free climbing and mountaineering. His time bridged several key generations of climbers. More than just another gifted climber who merely moved with the times, he was an innovator and pioneer who helped shape the sport. But, perhaps most impressive, he took many climbers under his wing and became a mentor to many of the sport's greats. Hats off and farewell to Jim.
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Spanky
Social climber
boulder co
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Feb 16, 2018 - 12:57pm PT
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Rest in Peace Jim. The Bird was truly one of a kind who is a big piece of what made climbing what it is today. His achievements cannot be overstated. I never got to meet him but he has always been a hero!
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ionlyski
Trad climber
Polebridge, Montana
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:02pm PT
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Chatted with him a couple years ago at Todd's. I really couldn't understand what he was saying each time we would engage in conversation. His mind moved so fast and he was always two steps ahead with an astonishing number of one liners and other philosophical words of wisdom, I couldn't tell if they were rehearsed or how all that verbage came out so quickly with no hesitation.
Except when we fell back to talking about my home crag he had once visited many years ago. He instantly pulled out memories of individual moves on routes he remembered. Then he talked in plain Jane language. A lot of people attributed his mumble jumble as just "way out there" but I saw it as a form of high intelligence. Heavy!
Arne
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groaz
Big Wall climber
italy
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:06pm PT
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The Bird now flies free. Go great Master,go! But sometimes looks down at us... Ciao Peggy and Layton.
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Yafer
Trad climber
Chatsworth, California
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:11pm PT
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Condolences . ................
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Alan Rubin
climber
Amherst,MA.
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:13pm PT
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So sad to see this. Yet another of our legends now gone. He was always open and generous with advice to those of us, even gumbies like me, who spent time in Camp 4 during the years of his 'dominance'. RIP Jim.
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:13pm PT
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Raising a beer to your memory tonight, Jim.
We only met a few times, but you were and are my hero. I only wish we had had the chance to climb together.
Rest in peace, Jim - you have earned it.
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msiddens
Trad climber
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:21pm PT
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oh man, what an amazing life to have lived. So sorry for the loss.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:21pm PT
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Condolences to family and friends for a man most gifted and a true modern day pioneer.
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The Lisa
Trad climber
Da Bronx, NY
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:23pm PT
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I am so sad to see this loss of a legend. Condolences to Jim's family and friends.
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throwpie
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:36pm PT
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Every time I crossed paths with him it was memorable. Once, kind of scary. He was one of
a kind. Rest In Peace.
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phylp
Trad climber
Upland, CA
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:37pm PT
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I learned very early on as a climber that if the name Bridwell was on the first ascentionist list, it would be one burly route. Meeting him once while out climbing in the ORG is a special memory.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Phyl
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
It ain't El Cap, Oregon
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Feb 16, 2018 - 01:38pm PT
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The best of the best. The wildest of the wildest. RIP my friend.
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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Feb 16, 2018 - 02:03pm PT
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So sorry to hear this. We had an enjoyable afternoon climbing next to Jim and a young protégé of his in the Valley many years ago. He cracked us up the whole time and was genuinely invested in helping his friend learn to climb.
Condolences to his family and all of his friends.
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Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
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Feb 16, 2018 - 02:47pm PT
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RIP Jim... thanks for showing us how it is done
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rmuir
Social climber
From the Time Before the Rocks Cooled.
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Feb 16, 2018 - 02:49pm PT
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My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Peggy and Layton, the entire extended Bridwell family, and all his friends and acquaintances. His contributions to climbing can never be overstated!
A tiny handful of the many people Jim Bridwell profoundly affected!
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Feb 16, 2018 - 03:02pm PT
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Oh man. Don't know what to say other than he gave us a run of goodness and condolences to all who love him
edit: PTPP & rmuir, thanks for the photos. Only met the Bird a few times at el Rancho Gordo, including the Birdfest in 2010. Like others I admired his accomplishments and spent a lot of time reading of his exploits BITD.
Cheers Jim; would have liked to have gotten to know you better.
R Gomez; you are truly one of the great ones yourself.
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