freeheelbillie 3 #1 January 14, 2009 Just another new guy...I have to say that it has been a long time since I have been a new guy to much of anything. I started doing most of the things I enjoy at a very young age (ie. climbing, mountaineering, tele-skiing) so its refreshing to start using the gray matter again! Getting my AFF certification has been in the back of my mind since I did my tandem back in college (1997). Unfortunately, it was after a long night of psychedelic partying with friends and the experience is mostly a blur. Ahhh to be young a stupid again! I have only completed through level 3 and will need to do that level again as I have not jumped since August 2008, but I will start again in February. I have spent a little over an hour in the tunnel though and feel like I am making headway. Any advise that is not already posted or asked over and over again is welcome. Maybe I ll see ya out there! BillieGently pushing comfort zones since 1976... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #2 January 15, 2009 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeheelbillie 3 #3 January 15, 2009 Failed level III for lack of stability, back in August. I have spent an hour in the tunnel working specifically on AFF dive flows (with coaching) since then. I feel really comfortable with exit and have no real nerves to deal with about the actual act of jumping. I made it a point to get my tunnel coaching from AFF instructors and the feed back that I got last time was I should have no issues passing through level 7 now. Currently, I just want to be sure I am sticking my landings under canopy (which will take time and attention to detail) Obviously I want to have fun with the process and have been. But, I have a habit of wanting to know everything safety related (comes from my time as a mountaineering guide) Thinking that I will head to the DZ next weekend and hope for a mild day here in CO! I will most likely have to do level II over because of the time that has passed...hey a jump is a jump! =)Gently pushing comfort zones since 1976... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carrapeta 0 #4 January 15, 2009 Welcome to the sport Billie!! From one rookie to another I think your gonna LOVE IT!!! I haven't seen you around but I guess that's because I started AFF Aug 30th. . . Mountaineering eh? You climb much rock? Hey it's s'posed to be in the 50's this weekend you should come tackle the rest of that AFF!! If you make it down say whuddup! I'll be that crazy loud fucker jumping/spinnin'/flippin' all over the place!! And hey you're right! A jump is a jump! It seems each one is more fun than the last even though the last was the best time of life!! EVERY time!! Later dude Rich - Frijol Saltando If your gonna be dumb ya gotta be tough. Your mom goes HandHeld Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeheelbillie 3 #5 January 15, 2009 If I can talk the lady into an afternoon at the DZ I may just do that! I still climb, mostly Alpine anymore. The crags are so packed I would rather do something else. What about you? BillieGently pushing comfort zones since 1976... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carrapeta 0 #6 January 15, 2009 Mmmmmmmm aaaaaalpineRan up the Diamond a few times this year including a double summit bid where we climbed the Casual rt ran down the Loft and then up The Flying Buttress to summit Meeker, back down the loft and to the bivies in just about 12hrs. And yeah I hit the crags pretty frequently. I'm an Eldo junkie in the Spring and Fall! You can't go wrong with routes like The Edge and Vertigo not to mention all the other "classics"! I haven't climbed for shit since I started Skydiving but, spring's almost here and I GOTSTA get on some rock!!! I'm gettin FAT!!! Skydiving isn't exactly a workout. . .or a calorie burneredit to add. . .My profile pic is actually on the summit of the FLying Buttress If your gonna be dumb ya gotta be tough. Your mom goes HandHeld Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeheelbillie 3 #7 January 15, 2009 I feel the same way and LOVE Eldo...hard not to. The last real climbing I did was linking the Upper and Lower Exum on the Grand Teton (late Sept trip)...went from high camp all the way back to the car in a day. Not sure I would be ready for any of those routes right off the couch but maybe later this summer! We should get together and knock back a few brews. BillieGently pushing comfort zones since 1976... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
