St. Louis Arch BASE Jump(s) Info Please

[BigM 2]

I was in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago. Went up in the Arch. Of course I had to ask...

The ranger said:
1) The Arch had never been legally jumped.
2)The 1st attempt was in 1980- guy skydived onto the Arch with the intent of BASE jumping off. Got caught in the wind and slide down the long side of it and died... with his wife watching.
3)The 2nd attempt was in 1990 and was successful. Method of arrival at the top still undetermined. Jumper said he climbed up with suction cup apparatus. The believe he had a chopper deliver him via a rapel line.

Anyone know if any of this is true or any of the "unofficial details"?

Blue 111-
Jeff

"When I die, I want to go like my grandmother, who died peacefully in her sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in her car."

[CSpenceFLY 1]

I think you would have better luck in the BASE forums. On second thought, don't hold your breath.

[ryoder 1,590]

http://www.dropzone.com/forum/Skydiving_C1/General_Skydiving_Discussions_F18/st.louis,_mo_arch_base_jump_P837338/

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[waltappel 1]

Quote

I was in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago. Went up in the Arch. Of course I had to ask...

The ranger said:
1) The Arch had never been legally jumped.
2)The 1st attempt was in 1980- guy skydived onto the Arch with the intent of BASE jumping off. Got caught in the wind and slide down the long side of it and died... with his wife watching.
3)The 2nd attempt was in 1990 and was successful. Method of arrival at the top still undetermined. Jumper said he climbed up with suction cup apparatus. The believe he had a chopper deliver him via a rapel line.

Anyone know if any of this is true or any of the "unofficial details"?

Blue 111-
Jeff

1) Pretty sure that is true.
2) Don't remember for sure whether it was 1980 but the rest is true.
3) True, including the suction cups.

Walt

[livendive 8]

So the ranger didn't know of any since 1990?

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[BigM 2]

He said those were the only two. I figured I'd get better info here.

So was the suction cups how they REALLT accessed the top, or just the story he gave?

"When I die, I want to go like my grandmother, who died peacefully in her sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in her car."

[skydiver88 0]

i saw it on tv they did an inter view with the guy
he actually climbed it with suction cups
fucking crazy but i bet it was worth it

[TrophyHusband 0]

Quote

He said those were the only two. I figured I'd get better info here.

So was the suction cups how they REALLT accessed the top, or just the story he gave?

the story that john told me was that he used suction cups to reach the top, smoked a joint while sitting on top and watching the sun come up and then he jumped.

"Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama
www.kjandmegan.com

[bozo 0]

[replythe story that john told me was that he used suction cups to reach the top, smoked a joint while sitting on top and watching the sun come up and then he jumped.

[DougH 270]

What type of suction cups were they? I am picturing the ones that you can use with body work or carrying sheet glass. Either way they must have been bad ass!!!

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[micro 0]

Quote

He said those were the only two. I figured I'd get better info here.

I was told it has based at least one other time since 1990, exact date unknow.

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...