billvon 3,114 #1 October 31, 2005 Just got back from four days of 100-ways at Perris. Kate and Tony organized and were assisted by an all star cast (Roger Ponce, Andy Delk, Dan O'Brien, Larry Henderson, BJ Worth etc etc.) The dives didn't complete very often due to their remarkable difficulty, but it was a fun week, we got a likely cover shot and I learned a few things. The biggest lesson for me was how to NOT look at the base. Looking at the base is like pulling when you're below 2000 feet, or arching to get stable, or tracking really hard to get clear of a mess - things that you've trained yourself to do for so long that it's habit. On several dives I was docking facing away from the base in a six way round, and there was just no way to see the base. On the first dive I kept looking back at the base; I just could not break the habit. After that I mentally rehearsed until I could make myself look at a nearby line and get some level/distance cues from them. It was still really nerve wracking to look across at Monica, think to myself "OK, she's arching more, so we're probably high, so I'll drop a little myself" and then correct to match a base I couldn't see. We seemed to do OK at it after the first jump, so I guess we got the hang of it. Still very creepy. Other antics - Cathy Coon found herself under her main at 16,500 feet after a premature deployment as she exited. Suspicion was first focused on Bob (the boyfriend) who was exiting after her, but he quickly produced the alibi oxygen cannula, which had been pulled apart after (supposedly) snagging her PC handle. Needless to say the formation did not complete, and she got a great, but somewhat chilly, view of the sunset. On one load Roger noticed the oxygen manifold was drooping in a most alarming manner. Turned out one of the anchors had pulled out. I took a look, found the screw, and figured I could get it back in if I had a screwdriver. "Hey, see if the pilot has a screwdriver!" I yelled up front. Someone asked him, and he eventually produced one (there are all sorts of interesting and useful things in the Otter cockpits.) I had this image of him thinking "great, I'm flying in formation, I can't take my eyes off the lead or my hands off the yoke and throttle, and these guys want a screwdriver to start messing with my airplane." The manifold was quickly re-attached and reinforced with duct tape. We had a most impressive move by Steve White, part of the base, who found himself low after a minor funnel. He quickly ripped off some clips he was using to tighten his sleeves (they were pretty floppy) popped back up and got back in the base. "Undressing for success" was the term Kate coined for the in-flight drag adjustment. Which goes to show you - if you're going to screw up, be resourceful and entertaining about it. Libby managed to bang her head on the door and lose her helmet. She got in anyway. During one climb to altitude, Lemonhead nailed Larry Henderson (a World Team sector captain) in the head with a box of Altoids, leaving Larry with a bloody head that he repaired with a piece of duct tape. It was an accident, but rumor has it that this has not improved Lemonhead's chances of getting on World Team. Saturday night saw the traditional Halloween party, with Molly going as a cow. She kept reminding people that she was a happy Wisconsin cow, not a happy California cow. The more responsible members of the 100-way attempt (I think there were about seven of us) made it an early night. Overall we got one cover shot quality completion - a completion of four six-ways and one eight-way linked by wackers and lines - and a whole lot of near completions. Was a fun use of four days. Once again I was amazed at how much coordination and planning seemed to magically happen to have five aircraft show up, take us to 16,500 feet with oxygen, in formation, and drop us within about a quarter mile of target 18 times. It's all the behind the scenes stuff you don't see, of course, but between Kate and Tony, Perris Valley, Elsinore, the pilots, the loaders, the plane captains etc it looked pretty effortless. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #2 October 31, 2005 SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #3 October 31, 2005 You forgot to mention the drunk phone callsMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #4 October 31, 2005 Interesting story about the screwdriver, but I am most worried about: QuoteThe manifold was quickly re-attached and reinforced with duct tape. You never told us where the duct tape came from. Please tell me there were no riggers on this load.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ltdiver 3 #5 October 31, 2005 If I don't get waylayed by a hoard of trick-or-treaters tonight I'll try and post pictures from the weekend. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billvon 3,114 #6 October 31, 2005 >You never told us where the duct tape came from. Bigway jumpers, and especially cameramen, often have emergency duct tape stuck to their helmets, cameras etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BikerBabe 0 #7 October 31, 2005 As a front-line witness to the Altoids incident, I can confirm that the duct tape was provided by D-plane's front-front float person, Jim McCormick. Don't ask me where it came from. I don't want to know... What a fun weekend! Much beer was bought by me, since this was my first 100+ completion. yay! Much beer was consumed by me, as well. Sorry about the drunk dial, Mar...well, not really sorry. Where the hell were you, anyway???Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MB38 0 #8 October 31, 2005 Here are four pics I took yesterday of the jump. Handheld with a non-IS 300mm lens, so the focus is pretty bad... but you get the picture.I really don't know what I'm talking about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Remster 30 #9 November 1, 2005 Definatly fun formations! That second dive would have looked so awsome... I guess next year! lol But that drive back to Tucson was long after getting up at 5:00 everyday to catch that early load! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billvon 3,114 #10 November 1, 2005 >after getting up at 5:00 everyday to catch that early load! Just sleep on the DZ like we did. That way you can get up at 6:45 to make it to the dirt dive at 7 . . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyangel2 2 #11 November 1, 2005 QuoteSorry about the drunk dial, Mar...well, not really sorry. Where the hell were you, anyway??? Oh, so you admit you were part of that crowd calling me. Thanks for the call, it's nice to know I was missed. I had to stay and get some work done, remember, I was just out at Perris a few weeks ago. Besides, need to save the big bucks for WTRemi, staying at the DZ is the big ticket. When we had to be ready for dirt dives for JFTC at 7:00 a.m. all I did was fall out of bed at about 6:30 a.m., drink a cup of coffee, throw my jumpsuit on, throw my rig over my shoulder, and walk out to the dirt dive. If you want to be a real big way event jumper, get use to the early calls. So, stop your bitching.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 2,147 #12 November 1, 2005 It was cool to jump with all the WT folks. I think I was one of only two there who aren't WT or WT wannabes. Got to dock on 2 former world champions, and on Molly. My slots were behind Sparky in his bright orange suit, which made it hard to get lost.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Remster 30 #13 November 1, 2005 QuoteSo, stop your bitching. I need a shower in the morning... and so does Karen... Plus, we like the luxury of the 5 star resort that the Super 8 is Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Vallerina 2 #14 November 1, 2005 Yes, post some pics!!! The ones posted looked really interesting!!!!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Kdsosso 0 #15 November 1, 2005 Hey....where's my beer! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites headoverheels 334 #16 November 1, 2005 QuoteHey....where's my beer! Eddie drank it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Remster 30 #17 November 1, 2005 QuoteHey....where's my beer! Ask one of your friends .Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Kdsosso 0 #18 November 1, 2005 Ask one of your friends --------------------------------------- OK....... Gary...thank Barb for the beer!!!and BIG thanks to Karen for the neck warmer and blanket!!!!!...who needs rem, when we had Karen on the plane!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Remster 30 #19 November 1, 2005 Once again, I feel no love..... It was nice to see you too Kris! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ltdiver 3 #20 November 1, 2005 QuoteYes, post some pics!!! The ones posted looked really interesting!!!! Here ya go, Val. disclaimer: I didn't take a camera to the night-time party to protect the innocent. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyangel2 2 #21 November 1, 2005 QuoteMy slots were behind Sparky in his bright orange suit, which made it hard to get lost. Do you mean you got lost even with Sparky's bright orange suit? What the heck are you? Color blind?May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BillyVance 35 #22 November 1, 2005 QuoteQuoteMy slots were behind Sparky in his bright orange suit, which made it hard to get lost. Do you mean you got lost even with Sparky's bright orange suit? What the heck are you? Color blind? Funny you should mention that, one of the Deaf skydivers from England who was at the Deaf World Record recently, is color-blind. He did get lost once, got in the wrong slot, corrected himself and found the right slot, but because of him, the guy whose slot he took went low... "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 kallend 2,147 #23 November 1, 2005 QuoteQuoteMy slots were behind Sparky in his bright orange suit, which made it hard to get lost. Do you mean you got lost even with Sparky's bright orange suit? What the heck are you? Color blind? It was so hard, not even I could manage it!... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites foxyroxtail 0 #24 November 1, 2005 QuoteYou forgot to mention the drunk phone calls There were phone calls!!??!??!?!! I thought Cow-tipping was as crazy as it got. ________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites cpoxon 0 #25 November 3, 2005 QuoteJust sleep on the DZ like we did Yeah, me too! Oh, you meant in the van! Thanks Don... :-PSkydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
ltdiver 3 #5 October 31, 2005 If I don't get waylayed by a hoard of trick-or-treaters tonight I'll try and post pictures from the weekend. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,114 #6 October 31, 2005 >You never told us where the duct tape came from. Bigway jumpers, and especially cameramen, often have emergency duct tape stuck to their helmets, cameras etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #7 October 31, 2005 As a front-line witness to the Altoids incident, I can confirm that the duct tape was provided by D-plane's front-front float person, Jim McCormick. Don't ask me where it came from. I don't want to know... What a fun weekend! Much beer was bought by me, since this was my first 100+ completion. yay! Much beer was consumed by me, as well. Sorry about the drunk dial, Mar...well, not really sorry. Where the hell were you, anyway???Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MB38 0 #8 October 31, 2005 Here are four pics I took yesterday of the jump. Handheld with a non-IS 300mm lens, so the focus is pretty bad... but you get the picture.I really don't know what I'm talking about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #9 November 1, 2005 Definatly fun formations! That second dive would have looked so awsome... I guess next year! lol But that drive back to Tucson was long after getting up at 5:00 everyday to catch that early load! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,114 #10 November 1, 2005 >after getting up at 5:00 everyday to catch that early load! Just sleep on the DZ like we did. That way you can get up at 6:45 to make it to the dirt dive at 7 . . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #11 November 1, 2005 QuoteSorry about the drunk dial, Mar...well, not really sorry. Where the hell were you, anyway??? Oh, so you admit you were part of that crowd calling me. Thanks for the call, it's nice to know I was missed. I had to stay and get some work done, remember, I was just out at Perris a few weeks ago. Besides, need to save the big bucks for WTRemi, staying at the DZ is the big ticket. When we had to be ready for dirt dives for JFTC at 7:00 a.m. all I did was fall out of bed at about 6:30 a.m., drink a cup of coffee, throw my jumpsuit on, throw my rig over my shoulder, and walk out to the dirt dive. If you want to be a real big way event jumper, get use to the early calls. So, stop your bitching.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,147 #12 November 1, 2005 It was cool to jump with all the WT folks. I think I was one of only two there who aren't WT or WT wannabes. Got to dock on 2 former world champions, and on Molly. My slots were behind Sparky in his bright orange suit, which made it hard to get lost.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #13 November 1, 2005 QuoteSo, stop your bitching. I need a shower in the morning... and so does Karen... Plus, we like the luxury of the 5 star resort that the Super 8 is Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #14 November 1, 2005 Yes, post some pics!!! The ones posted looked really interesting!!!!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kdsosso 0 #15 November 1, 2005 Hey....where's my beer! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 334 #16 November 1, 2005 QuoteHey....where's my beer! Eddie drank it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #17 November 1, 2005 QuoteHey....where's my beer! Ask one of your friends .Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kdsosso 0 #18 November 1, 2005 Ask one of your friends --------------------------------------- OK....... Gary...thank Barb for the beer!!!and BIG thanks to Karen for the neck warmer and blanket!!!!!...who needs rem, when we had Karen on the plane!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #19 November 1, 2005 Once again, I feel no love..... It was nice to see you too Kris! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #20 November 1, 2005 QuoteYes, post some pics!!! The ones posted looked really interesting!!!! Here ya go, Val. disclaimer: I didn't take a camera to the night-time party to protect the innocent. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #21 November 1, 2005 QuoteMy slots were behind Sparky in his bright orange suit, which made it hard to get lost. Do you mean you got lost even with Sparky's bright orange suit? What the heck are you? Color blind?May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #22 November 1, 2005 QuoteQuoteMy slots were behind Sparky in his bright orange suit, which made it hard to get lost. Do you mean you got lost even with Sparky's bright orange suit? What the heck are you? Color blind? Funny you should mention that, one of the Deaf skydivers from England who was at the Deaf World Record recently, is color-blind. He did get lost once, got in the wrong slot, corrected himself and found the right slot, but because of him, the guy whose slot he took went low... "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
kallend 2,147 #23 November 1, 2005 QuoteQuoteMy slots were behind Sparky in his bright orange suit, which made it hard to get lost. Do you mean you got lost even with Sparky's bright orange suit? What the heck are you? Color blind? It was so hard, not even I could manage it!... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foxyroxtail 0 #24 November 1, 2005 QuoteYou forgot to mention the drunk phone calls There were phone calls!!??!??!?!! I thought Cow-tipping was as crazy as it got. ________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpoxon 0 #25 November 3, 2005 QuoteJust sleep on the DZ like we did Yeah, me too! Oh, you meant in the van! Thanks Don... :-PSkydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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