Watch Legendary Climber Jim Bridwell’s Last Interview

Watch the final interview with legendary Yosemite climber Jim Bridwell shortly before his death in 2018. Bridwell made over 100 first ascents in Yosemite and opened hard new routes in Alaska and Patagonia.

He made the first one-day ascent of El Cap in 1975 with John Long and Billy Westbay via The Nose. He manufactured new gear, including bird beaks and copperheads.

Jim Bridwell

Big Bridwell Ascents

1965 Entrance Exam (II 5.9), Arch Rock, Yosemite, California, USA with Chuck Pratt, Chris Fredericks and Larry Marshik
1966 Braille Book (III 5.8), Higher Cathedral Rock, Yosemite, California, USA with Chris Fredericks, Joe Faint and Brian Berry.
1967 East Face (VI 5.9 A4), Higher Cathedral Rock, Yosemite, California, USA with Chris Fredericks
1967 South Central (V 5.10a A2), Washington Column, Yosemite, California, USA with Joe Faint
1969 Triple Direct (VI 5.9 A2), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Kim Schmitz
1971 Aquarian Wall (VI 5.9 A4), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Kim Schmitz
1971 New Dimensions (5.11 A1), Arch Rock, Yosemite, California, USA with Mark Klemens
1971 Nabisco Wall, The Cookie, Yosemite, California, USA
1970 Vain Hope (V 5.7 A3), Ribbon Falls, Yosemite, California, USA with Royal Robbins and Kim Schmitz
1973 Central Pillar of Frenzy, Middle Cathedral Rock, Yosemite, California, USA with Roger Breedlove and Ed Barry
1974 Freestone, Geek Towers, Yosemite Falls, Yosemite, California, USA[
1975 Wailing Wall, Tuolumne Meadows, California, USA with Dale Bard and Rick Accomozo
1975 Pacific Ocean Wall (VI 5.9 A4), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Bill Westbay, Jay Fiske and Fred East
1976 Gold Ribbon (VI 5.10 A3), Ribbon Falls, Yosemite, California, USA with Mike Graham
1977 Bushido (VI 5.10 A4), Half Dome, Yosemite, California, USA with Dale Bard
1978 Sea of Dreams (VI 5.9 A5), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Dale Bard and Dave Diegelman
1978 Zenith (VI 5.9 A4), Half Dome, Yosemite, California, USA with Kim Schmitz
1979 Southeast Ridge of Cerro Torre, Patagonia, Argentina with Steven Brewer (first alpine-style ascent of the peak)
1979 Northwest Face, “The Ship Prow” Kichatna Spire, Alaska Range, USA with Andy Embick
1981 Zenyatta Mondatta (VI 5.9 A5), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Peter Mayfield and Charlie Row
1981 Dance of the Woo Li Masters, East Face of The Moose’s Tooth, Ruth Gorge, Alaska, USA (VI 5.9 WI4+ A4, 1520m) with Mugs Stump
1982 South Face, “Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love” Pumori, Nepal with Jan Reynolds and Ned Gillette
1987 The Big Chill, Half Dome, Yosemite, California, USA with Peter Mayfield, Sean Plunkett and Steve Bosque
1989 Shadows (VI 5.10 A5), Half Dome, Yosemite, California, USA with Charles Row, Cito Kirkpatrick, William Westbay
1991 North Face (repeat) The Eiger, Bernese Alps, Switzerland
1997 Wyoming Sheep Ranch (VI 5.9 A5), (repeat) El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Giovanni Groaz
1998 Heavy Metal and Tinker Toys (VI 5.9 A5), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Boulos Ayad and Tyson Hausoeffer
1998 Plastic Surgery Disaster (VI 5.8 A5), (repeat) El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Mark Bowling and Giovanni Groaz
1999 The Useless Emotion (VII 5.9 WI4 A4), The Bear’s Tooth, Ruth Glacier, Alaska, USA with Terry Christensen, Glenn Dunmire, Brian Jonas and Brian McCray May 3–21, 1999
1999 Odyssey, Grand Capucin(VI 5.9 A5), Mont Blanc (French Alps), with Giovanni Groaz
1999 Dark Star (VI 5.10 A5), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Giovanni Groaz
2001 The Beast Pillar, (V11 5.10b WI4+ A5) The Moose’s Tooth, Buckskin Glacier, Alaska, USA with Spencer Pfinsten
2001 Welcome to Afghanistan (VI 5.9 A4), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Giovanni Groaz
2002 Pointless Connection (VI 5.9 A4+), Yosemite Pointless, Yosemite, California, USA with Giovanni Groaz
2004 Old Guides Variation (VI 5.8 A3), El Capitan, Yosemite, California, USA with Jackson Marsten and Giovanni Groaz