CanuckInUSA

Okay I've read Tom's first base rig article and I found it very informative (though I still have plenty to learn). Here's kind of a summary that I've taken from it which may apply to someone like myself. Canopy: 1) Tom has mentioned getting a F-111 canopy for simplicity and ease of packing and I think this is a good thing for someone like myself. I have plenty of experience packing brand spanking new ZP skydiving canopies (two Sabre2s and a Crossfire2), but I've never needed to worry about the neatness as much when packing my skydiving main versus packing a base canopy. So I will likely look for an F-111 base canopy. 2) Make sure the canopy has a tailgate. Of course I'm under the impression that all modern base canopies come with this feature. 3) Tom has recommended that a beginner avoid the bottom skin inlets, yet the fact remains that once I'm through with my initial training in ID and am ready to tackle other objects, I will be spending time in Moab. And even Tom has mentioned that I might want to consider a canopy with these inlets. 4) I've been told by a couple of people, including Tom to avoid the canopies with multiple bridle attachment points. 5) Tom didn't mention this in his article, but based on how my friend showed me how she packs her rig, I like the idea of having the lines which go into the tailgate a different color than all of the other lines. Plus I'd like to make sure that my center cell and stablizers have certain colors which I can easily identify which will greatly help a newbie like myself pack easier. Container: 1) Tom has mentioned that he thinks beginners should choose a rig which used velcro, but my friend thinks a pin closure is better and I have yet to talk to many of the experienced base folks I may know about this topic. I am leaning towards a container with a pin closure for at least three reasons (one which may not occur for a long time). The pin closure is today's technology and unless my canopy is considered big for the container, closing the container shouldn't be an issue. Also, my long term base goals are to fly a wing suit and a velcro rig is just not an option there (of course doing wing suit base jumps is a long way off for me). Finally, I like the idea of doing big-wall terminal base jumps and it's my understanding that a pin closure is better than velcro for this discipline. 2) As a beginner, Tom recommends that I avoid B-12 snap closures and since I'm not a big fan of these anyway on my skydiving rig(s), why get it for a base rig. 3) Tom also recommends skipping the saddle bags which I agree with. 4) Tom recommends skipping the climbing harness option and while I do see myself having to climb certain cliffs in CO or Moab (I do have some mountaineering experience), but I likely don't need this feature (let's keep my first base rig relatively simple right?) 5) Tom recommends that unless you are making a lot of water landings, the use of stainless steel hardware isn't necessary. If I buy a new container (which I likely will), I will have to weigh the cost versus benefits of this option. My skydiving rigs have always had stainless steel, but I believe most modern base containers conceal the three rig system anyway. So maybe this is an added expense which I don't need to fork out. 6) Tom recommends that if a beginner is jumping a velcro closure rig, that side flap stiffeners be used. Does this only apply to velcro containers, or is it also applicable to a pin closure container? Risers: 1) Tom recommends that we avoid the Type-17 mini risers. 2) Tom recommends that beginners like myself us the standard large rings and avoid the mini rings. 3) Tom recommends (for newbie packers) to avoid the "Big Grab Toggles". But if one was to spend a considerable amount of time practicing packing before one actually jumps, I wonder if I couldn't get used to packing these toggles? Pilot Chutes: There was some pretty informative info concerning pilot chutes and it appears that the 42" pilot chute will be the work horse. So I likely will follow the recommended pilot chutes in this article and add more as needed. So before I get into specific canopies and/or containers (Tom and a few others have sent me messages concerning gear they think I may need here in CO and Moab), what do some of you think about what I summarized above? Once again, I have much to learn and I'm in no rush to actually start jumping (though I think I'd like to possible do an intro jump up in ID in the not too distant future). But I am thinking that getting some gear in the not too distant future to practice packing would be a good thing. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I'm not going to name names (at least not right now), but I am NOT a very happy camper at this moment. Back in early to mid November, an order for a new container was placed and a delivery date of Jan 23, 2004 was promised. But yesterday I received a call from this manufacturer with questions about the sizing dimensions. Well to my surprise the new container has not even been started and now I was told that it'll be ready by March. What the fudge!!! ... Why do gear manufactures promise delivery dates that do not even come close to meeting (off by five weeks in this case). I likely will never buy another rig from this manufacture and I rest assured I will be telling local people not to buy from them. But I don't feel that naming names over the internet is the right thing to do. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

But i don't have a bed... Well that's why they invented the kitchen table isn't it? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

In some hottie's bed with her in it as well. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Exit ... Exit ... Exit ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I have. But I can't tell you who the pilot was, otherwise I would have to kill you. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

No but I know a number of people who I can talk to. I'm in no rush to get into the swing of things, but I thought I'd ask. But you are right. Talk to the locals. I weight about 190 lbs right now. Wingsuit base is a long term goal, but only after I do a ton of skydiving wingsuit jumps and a ton of base jumps. In terms of where to jump? Hmmm ... likely travelling a bit. But as of this moment, I am NOT interested in jumping from low objects (

High: Making new friends and enjoying my time with them. Low: Not knowing if I'll get to see another friend again. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I have printed out these articles and have started to read one of them. But I am curious as to what would be a good first base canopy for someone like myself (who jumps in CO). Some time within the next month or so, I will attend my first jump course in ID. But I am in no rush to buy gear (I will be getting the bill for a new skydiving rig soon and I'd like to buy a wingsuit as well, so $$$ for base isn't going to happen anytime soon). But I'm taking my first real step towards base jumping tonight as a friend is going to show me how she packs her rig. So what would be a good first canopy for a guy like me? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I hate to say it, but I've yet to purchase a used canopy. My first one should have been used, but SQ1 had a good deal on a Triathlon 220 which nobody wanted. But then after that I wanted to fly a Sabre2 190 and finding a used one might have been a lengthy ordeal. And then the same scenario repeated itself when I wanted to start flying a Sabre2 170. Well you'd think I'd be done with new gear after that. But last summer I decided that I was ready to fly a Crossfire2. I had a chance to pick up Freeflyz Crossfire2 129, but I thought a 40 square foot downsize would be too aggresive. So I picked up yet another new (no regrets mind you) Crossfire2 139. But I will be keeping my eyes open in the future for a used Crossfire2 129 and if I pickup a 2nd rig (likely for Birdman jumps) I hope to find a used Sabre2 150 or a Saffire2 149. The crutch of all of this is that I wanted to fly a particular type of canopy and finding used ones of these types can be challenging. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I've been working as a software engineer for many many many moons now. But today I will be playing hookey from work as I'm going to be showing Winnie the bird-girl around Boulder CO before I have to return her to her keeper so that she can go on to her next adventure. Dang you've got to admire someone who's willing to just tour around the world looking for her next adventure. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

1:4:0 One very fun day of skiing with Winnie the bird-girl in Keystone CO on Sunday (those of you who were in Eloy for the Holiday Boogie might remember her). Four fun jumps on Saturday. No beers were owed though. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Kalyne ... I'm happy to hear that you bought the beer that you owed, but I'm sorry I wasn't around to taste it. Winnie and I were off skiing in Keystone yesterday. The snow wasn't the best, but the skies were clear and we had a great time. It was good to finally hit the slopes this year. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I recently had a break fire on me during my opening and it cause my Crossfire2 to spin up to the point where I thought I could not recover from it. So I went to plan "B". I was the one who packed the main and I likely rushed the job to the point where I didn't check to ensure that the break lines were taunt. So the finger clearly is pointed at yours truly. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I know Nadine was there before the boogie started and likely picked up some of those $16.50 jump tickets. But I'm sure the majority of her jumps were made on $14.00 jump tickets (as were mine). So the total cost wasn't as bad as it seems. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Less parasitic drag resulting in a slightly faster air speed. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I would find another DZ to jump at if mine all of a sudden said I couldn't use my front risers. But recently while attending the Eloy Holiday Boogie, I decided to scale back my approaches as I found myself taking one too many chances. I will still do 270s, but the majority of my approaches during normal jumps with traffic will be to setup for a nice long carving 180 which won't confuse and conflict with my fellow canopy pilots in the air. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[CanadianAccent] You haven't made your first (mmm ... beer) solo jump yet eh? [/CanadianAccent] Will you be around MH this weekend to make that solo jump? I can't say for certain yet, but we may have a special visitor who was at the Holiday Boogie at MH this weekend. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I don't want to tell you how I do cartwheels as I'm sure mine aren't the most graceful. But start doing them now in order to not develop bad habits which you will have to fix later. I wish I would have started cartwheels sooner in my ever so short skydiving career as now I am trying to break my bad habit of bending at the waist when I transition from head down into a sit. Cartwheels are the cure to my bad habit, but I have to slowly retrain the brain. So build that good muscle memory before it's too late. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

During the final few days of the Eloy Holiday Boogie, the chin cup on my helmet cam broke and I made 4-5 jumps without my audible. And wouldn't you believe it, it was a refreshing experience where I had to go back to my early days in this sport where I wasn't relying on an audible. Now don't get me wrong, now that my helmet has been fixed, I have gone back to using my audible, it's just that it was a good experience for me to jump without it as it made me much more aware of my surroundings and I had to rely on my eyes and my senses to stay altitude aware. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I could have cashed them in, but I purposely converted three of my boogie tickets into regular tickets so that I would be motivated to return to Eloy before the year is out (likely for the Easter or Rob Harris boogie). Skydive Arizona Rocks!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Without a doubt my tracking pantz have helped me. But I also think that some of my success during the boogie tracking dives was because I'm slowing gaining more experience in this discipline. But as I said in our Eloy conversations: I DO LIKE MY TRACKING PANTZ!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Yes one of the reasons why I started getting on some tracking dives a few months ago was because I realized that my tracking after breaking off sucked and I was too steep. But believe it or not, I discovered the joy of being in those tracking dives during the boogie. Getting the Omar, Amy, TJ or Jeffro slot is awesome, but I also love the visuals of being on the outside edge of a tracking dive and seeing 16 or so other people in the flock. I can't wait to start doing more tracking dives at my DZ and I'm looking forward to the day where I can lead a tracking dive or better yet, fly under a large formation the way Greg does. Thanks for the info. I'll try to remember that the next time I'm on a tracking dive. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Yes Brian Burke was the one who said that. Brian is an awesome guy. I only wish I could pick his brain everyday. But at least I was lucky enough to have an awesome 20-30 minute one-on-one conversation with him one afternoon after my reserve ride. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Yes that was a topic which was forgotten and would be good to have next year? But I had a great conversation with Pablito one night near the fire and he told me to go talk to the TMs at my DZ to learn from them about what a TM skydive is like and to build their trust before I even attempt to film a tandem and/or AFF student. Last year Pablito gave me some great info, and he did it again this year. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over