skybytch 273 #1 October 16, 2002 What an awesome day! We started with low fog for weather, but that was okay since we had to get breakfast and some speechifying done with before we could jump anyway. Kate read the official statement about Shannon's death then went on to tell us how proud of us she is. We're pretty proud of her too. Mallory spoke for a few minutes, then we broke up into plane loads for oxygen briefings. By the time we made it out to the landing area for our first dirt dive of the day, the sky was starting to clear. Today we jumped from full altitude all day - 16,000 feet. The world looks a bit different from that high We did two jumps before lunch. Actually, most of us thought it would be "eat a meal, make a skydive. Eat a meal, make a skydive" like it was yesterday... but they put us on a short call and we ended up landing from the second jump and breaking for lunch around 2:30. And we were on another short call. Run to the buffet line, wait, wait, grab a burger, stuff it down, grab jumpsuit and all gear and hustle over to the landing area for another dirt dive. Big way dirt dives are interesting. Most of us have learned to stand roughly where our slot is while we wait for Kate to arrive. Makes it easier when she gets there and yells "grips!" - that's our cue to be in our slot, take our grips and shut up. Once we all get there (which can take some time...), she talks for a few minutes about whatever needs addressing, then we'll go do an "exit frame" (what the picture is 3 seconds or so out of the plane) or a full run out (from the "little fake airplanes" ) back to grips, then a break off practice, then maybe another run out or exit frame and back to grips again. In between each practice Kate says something else. By the time we're heading to the airplanes the dive is pretty set in our minds, from exit to opening. The third dive was kind of interesting for me. The person docking on my leg went low, dragging me down. I kicked a couple of times hoping to get her to drop me; just as she did I lost my right hand grip - the four way line I'm the left anchor of. I managed to hang on to the zipper on my left without affecting her much, got myself back into my slot, level with the base and picked up the right wrist grip again. Our four way line is flying great! We refined it a bit more this morning; I moved myself forward about a foot and it seemed to take away the little bit of tension we'd been having. When we get back from the landing area, we drop our gear and go "check in." They've got 3 volunteers waiting for us with manifest check lists; we stop by and tell them our number and they mark us off. The fourth jump was spectacular. I landed with a huge grin - knew we hadn't "got it" but knew we'd come close. After we were all back, had dropped our gear and checked in we gathered in front of manifest. Kate told us how awesome we are in front of a TV camera We cheered a lot. Basically, she said that we were the best large formation group she's ever jumped with. Wow. That was pretty damn cool.I'm still smiling. Big ways are sooooo much fun! The visuals on exit. The team effort. The feeling of flying a large "organism." Watching the pilot chutes that signal breakoff. The sight of 140 canopies in the air with you. I have a problem now. I've been bit by the big way bug very bad. This is way too much fun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #2 October 16, 2002 Lisa -- Up to this point what had been the largest formation you had been on and what altitude was the highest you had been to?quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 October 16, 2002 Largest attempted formation before Monday was 87. Largest completed is 34 - but not for much longer! We went to 16k during the big way camp at Eloy. That's the highest I've ever been. When are you coming out Paul? E plane needs it's own water boy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 October 16, 2002 I'll be out shooting the Roger Ponce / Boyz-ways starting Wednesday.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
homer 0 #5 October 16, 2002 Saw you @ www.perriscam.com in the daily photo section. I must say you do look good in pink and Damb those jump suits are bright pink. CSA #699 Muff #3804 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #6 October 16, 2002 Hey Skybytch, That's some pretty cool stuff yer doing!Shark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodyskydiver 0 #7 October 16, 2002 Glad to see you ladies are having fun and working hard, Lisa. We're all behind ya 100%! "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #8 October 16, 2002 Quote I'll be out shooting the Roger Ponce / Boyz-ways starting Wednesday Sweet! See ya later today then Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #9 October 16, 2002 Hey, I was at the Perris site earlier, who's the Hottie in Pink?. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #10 October 16, 2002 Quote Big ways are sooooo much fun...The sight of 140 canopies in the air with you. That doesn't sound like fun to me at all, more like a nightmare! I'm very much in awe of what you ladies are doing, and look forward to the updates every day. Hopefully HH will be able to get you to do a piece for the Homepage (hint, hint!) 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
ChileRelleno 0 #11 October 16, 2002 Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!!! You ladies are awesome, we know ya'all can do it. THINK BIG PINK BLOT... ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
