Jim Bridwell was an American rock climber and mountaineer, active from 1965 in Yosemite Valley, but later in Patagonia and Alaska. He was noted for pushing the standards of both aid climbing and big wall climbing, and later alpine climbing. He wrote numerous articles on climbing and developed several important pieces of aid climbing equipment. Bridwell was an apprentice to Royal Robbins and Warren Harding, and later the unofficial leader of the Stonemasters.
Bridwell in 2003
Billy Westbay, Jim Bridwell (center), and John Long after the first one-day ascent of the Nose in 1975
Jim Bridwell in Salt Lake City, circa 1990
Aid climbing is a form of rock climbing that uses mechanical devices and equipment, such as aiders, for upward momentum. Aid climbing is different than free climbing, which only uses mechanical equipment for protection, but not to assist in upward momentum. "Aid climbing" sometimes involves hammering in pitons and bolts, into which aiders are clipped, but there is also "clean aid climbing" which avoids hammering, using only removable placements.
Climber standing in aiders while ascending aid climbing route, The Shield (VI 5.7 A3), on El Capitan
Royal Robbins resting on his aiders during the 3rd pitch of the FA of the Salathé Wall (VI 5.9 C2)
Daisy chain
Piton