Angel Falls BASE Jump

[slotperfect 7]

I would like to hear some feedback from anyone who has made the Angel Falls BASE jump trip with Tom Sanders and his crew. I have never made a BASE jump, but plan to give that trip to myself as a retirement (from the Army) present in a couple of years. How was it?
Respectfully,
SP

[flyingferret 0]

One of my buddies at the local DZ, went last year. He had a blast. They even used some of his footage on the National Geographic special. He turned a 360, something they really dont like you doing. But it made awesome video. It is not cheap, but sounds like a once in a lifetime experience.
Malachi

[slotperfect 7]

Once in a lifetime is exactly right. As I said, I have never made a BASE jump. While I have nothing against it, I have never had a desire to do it. Angel Falls would be my one and only. Thanks for the feedback.
Respectfully,
SP

[LawnDart21 0]

Re: "Angel Falls would be my one and only"
Something tells me that making Angel Falls, arguably one of the most dangerous base jumps you could make, as your first base jump, isn't exactly the best of ideas. Now I've never made the jump, but I do plan on doing it for my 30th b-day (2 years from now). I'm gonna spend the next two years practicing for it. I've read that the landing area is about the size of a living room, so canopy control is essential too. Just my .02 cents. See ya up there!!
"I live to EFS"
Tom

[base698 20]

Quote

Something tells me that making Angel Falls, arguably one of the most dangerous base jumps you could make, as your first base jump, isn't exactly the best of ideas. Now I've never made the jump, but I do plan on doing it for my 30th b-day (2 years from now). I'm gonna spend the next two years practicing for it. I've read that the landing area is about the size of a living room, so canopy control is essential too. Just my .02 cents. See ya up there!!

Amen. Despite the 3500 ft altitude this is not another skydive. Make sure you have BASE gear lined and up and at least have a knowledge of BASE. Quite a few skygods have gone in on similar jumps because of their refusal for instruction.

[flyingferret 0]

I am pretty certain, my buddy had never based before. Tom Sanders is very top notch, and a lot of training goes into this, with riggers, packing, etc. Off of his site:
No previous BASE experience or BASE specific equipment is required.
500 jumps for canopy control skills OR OTHER PROOF OF ACCURACY SKILLS such as previous BASE jumps in tight areas will allow for waiving the 500 jump minimum.
I for one am not going to disagree with Tom Sanders about his own trip.
Malachi

[slotperfect 7]

The canopy control is not an issue as I have loads of experience putting a canopy into tight areas. Also, I would ensure that the gear I used was suited for the opening & landing.
Otherwise, I am interested in why Angel Falls is one of the most dangerous BASE jumps?? 3500 feet is a lot of altitude, and from all the nideo I have watched, there is one outcropping to clear in the first coupla hundred feet, and the rest is enjoying the ride? Am I wrong??
More feedback, please.
Respectfully,
SP

[QuickDraw 0]

Quote

I am interested in why Angel Falls is one of the most dangerous BASE jumps??

It may be all the turbulence and downdraughts etc. that surrounds the falls that makes it so.
But I could be wrong.
"Bart, stop pestering satan" - Marge Simpson.

[LawnDart21 0]

Re: Otherwise, I am interested in why Angel Falls is one of the most dangerous BASE jumps??
Hmm, let's see, it's in a foreign country, your trecking basically into the middle of nowhere in a jungle, and jumping off a 3200ft ledge over a water fall that is spraying mist everywhere, with wierd winds from the updrafts and water fall, and then you have to land in a living room size patch of grass.........peice of cake......NOT....LOL
Hey, to each their own bro, I ain't trying to disuade you from doing it. Everyone has their own safety tolerance, if you think its not dangerous, I applaud you, I'm just very cautious when it comes to stuff like this. Alls I'm saying is to talk to people and investigate it thuroughly before you go. I shared a flight back from Quincy 2001 with Tom Sanders, and I tell ya, I got more respect for him than anyone in our sport, the guy knows this sport, inside and out. If he says 500 jumps, then cool, I agree he knows what he's saying. Just keep in mind, as far as if someone qualifies to jump, lets say a jumper has a 1000 skydives and wants to do this jump, technicqally the person qualifies, but a dumbass with 1000 jumps is still a dumbass, right? Not saying your a dumbass....LOL......just saying there are people with thousands of jumps who have no business base jumping and there are people with only 200 jumps that were born to base jump, it;'s all relative, just make sure you know what your getting into. Thats all. "Stay High, pull low, and sleep with your riggers girlfriend!".
"I live to EFS"
Tom

[Rdutch 0]

Maybe the Tom Sanders trip is a little overpriced there is a lot of people out there with connections in america and venezuela that can lead you in the right direction for planning a trip. Right now the political situation in venezuela isnt the nicest either I have friends who live there that want to leave right now. An airline ticket with transfers to conima (might be mispelled) sholdnt run more than $500 then accomodation is very cheap. And transportation to and from angel falls can be found cheaply. Tom sanders knows what he's doing and can plan the trip a lot safer than someone just doing it but the difference in price is amazing. Look around there is a lot of trips going to angel falls every year. Also try finding Raul from Raul Helecopters in venezuella a very nice guy who knows the area welll.
Hook low Flare late

[slotperfect 7]

Thanks, folks . . . and no offense taken anywhere. All very valid and useful feedback. I know Tom Sanders and I would definitely choose to make the trip with He and Clem and crew. That would be a large part of the fun. I do plan to ask lots of questions, especially if I find someone who has made the trip - I can pick their brain. Although it will be at least a coupla years before I make the trip, it would be cool to come back here and post how it went. Not for "I told you so" purposes, just to share the experience. The jump is dangerous, and I accept that. I am coachable though, and Tom & Clem will smack me around if I get too confident.
Respectfully,
SP

[slotperfect 7]

Oh yeah, I forgot. I loved your quote: "A dumbass with 1000 jumps is still a dumbass." LOLOLOL!
Respectfully,
SP

[lippy 918]

The first time I saw a pic of Angel Falls, it took about an hour to get my tounge back into my mouth. I'm hoping to do it someday.(I also hope to win a million dollars someday, too.) Right now I only have 97 jumps, and although I think I'm a good canopy pilot for my jump numbers, I couldn't land that shit yet by any means. Anyways, I'm just wondering what the trip costs if you go through Tom Sanders? What exactly do you get other than a jump off the falls for your money?
-I live like a poor man, so I can play like a rich one,
Roger

[billvon 3,120]

>Otherwise, I am interested in why Angel Falls is one of the most dangerous
> BASE jumps??
1. If you backslide you'll hit the cliff.
2. If you fly too close to falling water your canopy will follow the air, which is all going down with the water.
3. If you land off the DZ and break your back - it's in the middle of nowhere, and despite the helicopter, they may not be able to extract you safely.
4. The landing area is tiny.
It can certainly be done safely, but it is not as safe as, for example, Bridge Day or Perrine.
-bill von

[slotperfect 7]

Here you go, Lippy:
http://www.aerialfocus.com/angelfalls.html
Respectfully,
SP