Back to the Future

[MikePelkey 0]

After nearly forty years since my last BASE jump, Bridge Day was as close to stepping into the future as it gets. In my day parachutes were used mainly to float you down to Mother Earth. They didn't fly like squares. It was an absolutely awesome experience for me.

I have a debt of gratitude to almost everyone I met, but especially to Johnny Utah and Jean Boenish for their tireless personal attention to be sure that I was as up to speed as possible on the art of modern day BASE jumping before I took the plunge.

My most sincere thanks to you all for the warm welcome back.

In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. -

"RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB
http://www.johnny

[rendezvous 0]

Hi Mike,

It was a pleasure meeting you and hearing you talk about your experience. I do regret that I couldn't find you to autograph my picture. Could I mail it to you to sign and send back to me?

I guess guys like me have only seen one end of BASE, it's current form. You are actually part of it's history and I think that should make you mighty proud.

Hope to see you again at BD 06

Regards
Ankur

[avenfoto 0]

noticed this.... " In Sport:42 years
fuckin 'a....

[brianfry713 0]

Hey Mike,

Great job on that BD jump, that was impressive. I think my girlfriend Leah shot some video of it from the bridge, I'll try to upload that next week some time. I'd love to see Johnny's video of that jump if it survived his water landing.

That is really awesome to come back to BASE after a 40 year break and to do your first square jump off a bridge. All of us owe you a lot of thanks for starting the sport of BASE. It was great hearing about and reading your article on the '66 El Capitan jump.

I'm lucky to have been able to be in Johhny's FJC at the same time and get a feel for what it was like for you to come from the early days of skydiving / BASE into the present.

I also look foward to seeing Marah's "Gravity" movie once it comes out.

BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI
USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

[MikePelkey 0]

______________________________________________
It was a pleasure meeting you and hearing you talk about your experience. I do regret that I couldn't find you to autograph my picture. Could I mail it to you to sign and send back to me?
______________________________________________

Ankur,
I don't recall any time in my life when people were asking me for my autograph. In fact, after my last BASE jump in 1966 a lot of people were asking for my head. Times sure have changed.

I'll be delighted and honored to sign and send back your picture. Please send it to:

Mike Pelkey
2105 Cutler St.
Simi Valley CA 93065

FYI, my email address is: mike@destiny.com
and cell phone: 805.813.1413

Mike

In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. -

"RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB
http://www.johnny

[rendezvous 0]

Thanks. It'll be on it's way.

[MikePelkey 0]

___________________________________________

I'd love to see Johnny's video of that jump if it survived his water landing.
___________________________________________

We recently resuscitated a DV tape that had been through a full wash in the washing machine. I'm sure Johnny's tape will be just fine. I'll send you a copy when he gets it to me. I'd also love to have a copy of Leah's footage if it turns out.

I noticed in your profile that you're a computer engineer in Silicon Valley. We have a lot in common. Please send me an email sometime - mike@destiny.com

Thanks,
Mike

In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. -

"RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB
http://www.johnny

[wwarped 0]

Quote

after my last BASE jump in 1966 a lot of people were asking for my head. Times sure have changed.

it's a common reaction to groundbreakers.
they feared your ideas.

we honor them.

thank you.

DON'T PANIC
The lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.
sloppy habits -> sloppy jumps -> injury or worse

[evilivan 0]

Absolutely excellent to meet you Mike; and doing that jump over 30 years since your last is testament to the fact that you still have bigger balls then the rest of us....
...I was chatting to Brian's daughter at the bar on Sat night and she said: "Its amazing, they are both being treated like celebrities!", to which I replied: "Lady, in this community they are celebrities..."

The opportunity to meet the pioneers (Mike, Brian, Jean and Nick) made an excellent weekend a superb weekend and well worth the 12000 mile round trip.

"If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation."
David Brent