Gosh, that is sad news.
I did not know Jim very well, but I feel moved to share my story about him.
We met, briefly, about 12 years ago, where East Creek joins Bubbs Creek underneath the crags of Mount Bago. The previous day (Sept. 28, 2011) he had climbed Mount Brewer using the classic East Ridge ascent route. Funnily enough, I had climbed the same mountain using the same route the day prior to his ascent! Or, to be honest, I had almost summited the mountain.
None of the guidebooks mention this, but Mount Brewer has a spicy Class 4 summit block. It's quite daunting. I couldn't quite nerve my way up the final yard. I managed to reach up, and plant my hands on the topmost surface, but I was unable to mantle my way higher. If I was wearing sneakers, I might've been able to do it. In my big heavy hiking boots, though, it was too risky. I felt bummed out by my defeat.
By the creekside, Calicokat and I chatted for about 10 or 15 minutes; we compared notes about our experiences on the mountain. I noticed, dangling from a carabiner on Jim's backpack, a pair of proper rock-climbing shoes. He had come prepared, and of course he was successful. I told him about my narrow defeat.
"Oh, your hands touched the summit! Well, that's good enough!" Jim reassured me. "You bagged the mountain!"
He made me feel a lot better.
You know how sometimes you meet somebody on the trail, and the two of you just click? My experience with Jim was like that. He was warm and friendly, without being imposing. A rare combination.
He shall be missed.
