BillyVance 34 #1 July 28, 2009 This was a few months ago. I took the pictures, meaning to post them here and forgot about them. A pick-up truck, an extra tall ladder, 30 feet of rope, nobody to watch my back.... what could possibly go wrong? Yes, I was stupid, but I did want to surprise the little girl before she got back home from day care. She loves her ride, especially when I swing her around by the end of the rope. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scratch 0 #2 July 28, 2009 What would I have given to be able to get into the drivers seat with you at the top of the ladder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #3 July 28, 2009 Quote What would I have given to be able to get into the drivers seat with you at the top of the ladder. I would have been okay, probably. I had the top of the ladder tied to the tree branch. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 July 28, 2009 I can think of at least a couple of ways to have accomplished that without the scary ladder in the back of the truck. Wow. And they say skydiving is dangerous.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scratch 0 #5 July 28, 2009 Quote I would have been okay, probably. I had the top of the ladder tied to the tree branch Not the first time you went up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #6 July 28, 2009 Quote And they say skydiving is dangerous. I'd say for most skydivers, skydiving is one of the least dangerous things they do.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #7 July 28, 2009 Quote Quote And they say skydiving is dangerous. I'd say for most skydivers, skydiving is one of the least dangerous things they do. Maybe . . . but in THIS case . . . why? I still can't figure out why his feet had to leave the ground to do this.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #8 July 28, 2009 You scare me BillyBry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billeisele 130 #9 July 28, 2009 Billy - the next time you have some crazy project how about call someone with some sense and ask for help, this could easily have been done from the ground - safely your family has too much to loose, we lost one of our skydivers, Scott Weed, from a ladder fall and Scott did it every day and was experienced Give one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nutz 0 #10 July 28, 2009 I don't see what the problem was. I mean as long as you didn't have someone hold your beer and say, "Hey ya'll, watch this!" you should be fine. You have life insurance - right? "Don't! Get! Eliminated!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #11 July 28, 2009 billy!!!! what is MOST impressive,,, is being able to get that ladder UP into the truck...in the first place...and then leaning it against the tree,, considering that you mostly "maxxed it out" and i did notice that you used a COLLAPSIBLE ladder besides....!!!!.. excellent evidence of "operator confidence"...!!! Too bad your daughter was at the day care... I bet watching her Dad hang the swing,,,, would have been as much fun as riding on the swing!!! carry ON......BV jmy in ny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #12 July 28, 2009 So - If you fell from the top of that contraption - would you hear yourself screaming?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #13 July 28, 2009 Quote I still can't figure out why his feet had to leave the ground to do this. One word: AlabamaMy reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #14 July 28, 2009 Quote Quote Quote And they say skydiving is dangerous. I'd say for most skydivers, skydiving is one of the least dangerous things they do. Maybe . . . but in THIS case . . . why? I still can't figure out why his feet had to leave the ground to do this. DING! Throw the rope over the limb - tie Bowlin knot - sinch up hang tire - Done.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #15 July 28, 2009 Friggin wimps-the ladder should have been balanced on the siderail instead of securely footed in the bed.You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #16 July 28, 2009 It's Billy and you can't TELL him anything! you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #17 July 28, 2009 I'm... speechless! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #18 July 29, 2009 Well hey, I wanted to make sure the rope was secured real good and would be able to handle a good circular swing around. I was gonna set the ladder up on the ground but the branch was just a few feet higher than the ladder at its longest. I grew up climbing trees all the time, but had been out of practice the last 20 years. And getting that ladder up to a vertical position is no easy task for a small guy like me. It's the leverage I have a problem with when its fully extended. I don't remember how I did it, but it's done. I had to climb it real carefully and gingerly the first time since it was probably only 5 to 10 degrees short of vertical, and took some rope along to secure the top of the ladder to the branch so it wouldn't slip off. My dad's the one that fell off the ladder when I was a kid. He was trimming branches off a tree with a chain saw, and the branch knocked the ladder off and down he went, right in front of me. Nothing broken, just sore. I haven't tried chain-sawing off the ground and don't plan to ever, unless I'm in a cherry picker bucket. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites