CanuckInUSA

In an email I received this morning from the manager of Mile-Hi Skydiving, it stated that the DZ will be closed this Saturday for Jeff's memorial service. But it will be open for business on Friday and Sunday (weather permitting of course). Without sounding too selfish, this makes me very very happy. I've got nothing against Colorado's other drop zones (in fact I've received good vibes at each one when I visited them), but it's good to know that my home drop zone (which is only a 20 minute drive from where I live) will try to continue to operate after this tragedy. Frank if you do read this (as I know you've been known to lurk DZ.COM), we all have confidence in you to be able to operate a quality DZ. Blue Skies Jeff ... and to our good friend Holly ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I'm still holding onto a slim hope that I can be there, but it's not looking good with work right now. But if I do make it, I'll be looking to do some vRW. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Well said Quade ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I didn't buy my gear from Jeff, but as a regular at Mile-Hi he was aware of my 1.4:1 wing loading. But he let me jump there because he's seen me land and commented a few weeks ago that he thought I was a safe skydiver. Hopefully I can continue to prove him right. If anybody, I would think someone in your position would have the best handle of the mood of the skydiving community when it comes to gear selection. And I hate to say this, but I didn't buy my current canopy from SQ1 because I knew you would try and talk me out of it. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Well I'm not going to argue this point, in fact I am going to agree. Last week I was talking with a friend who's got 1000+ jumps and is a tandem master. We of course were talking about canopies and wing loading at some point in the conversation. And while we weren't talking about myself downsizing anytime soon, we did talk about elliptical versus semi-elliptical and whether or not I could handle an elliptical right now (which he thought I likely could). Well at some point in the conversation I remember saying something along the line of "well you're way more experienced than I am", but I wanted to use the word experienced rather than better. He likely is better (because of his experience) but we've never really jumped all that much together and who knows? On another note, I do realize that to some of you, I am flying a much higher wing loading than you'd recommend. But when I purchased my latest canopy, I got it from a DZO (who likely consulting a highly respected canopy pilot and instructor here on DZ.COM as to whether or not I could handle it). The DZO didn't have any problems selling me my Sabre2 (loaded at 1.4:1) but when I asked about demoing a Crossfire 2 sometime in the future, his guard lite up and he immediately started to ask me about my canopy progression expectations. So I do know that some people are willing to try and keep me in line and educated me as to the dangers of canopy flight. But ultimately it is myself who must take responsibility to ensure that I fly my canopy responsibly (to my experience level) and to not fly a canopy type and/or size which I may not be ready for. For the record (in case the DZO and instructor are reading this post as they are DZ.COM members), I am happy to report that to date I have stood up 37 of 38 landings with my Sabre2 and am enjoying it thoroughly. Plus I realize that this canopy gives me plenty of performance and there is no need to be thinking about flying another canopy anytime for the next few hundred jumps. I realize that my health is at risk every time I jump, but I'd also like to think that as long as I don't do anything stupid (ie: low turns) I should be able to build upon my success rate in landing this canopy time and time again. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I'm the exact opposite. My reserve is about 50 sq ft larger than my main and I'd like to think that I may be able to land the reserve while disabled and/or unconcious and not be killed or severly injured. But then again, I've only seen my reserve during my repack cycles and have no idea how it flies. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Quade: "Oh far out man, like totally tubular." as he hallucinates. The Girl: "Can you believe this guy? And he wants to video my skydive?" Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Awesome pics Ian. I'm glad you were there and I look forward to seeing you again at Mile-Hi and doing some jumps with you. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Your first alternative of having to go through a USPA canopy course sounds crazy as it's too much of a hassle for scheduling and just imagine the red-tape that would go along with it. The second alternative (you know 100 jumps 1.1, 200 jumps 1.2, etc, etc, etc) sounds much better as a guideline enforced by your friendly neighborhood S&TA.. Total jumps to date (in a little over 9 months in the sport) is 216. My last 38 jumps are on a Sabre2 loaded at about 1.4:1 (37 of those are stand up landings) and no plans to downsize anytime soon for the next couple of hundred jumps as I realize my current setup is plenty zippy enough for me (especially with the hot and high density altitude months around the corner). Oh and while I do like my front risers for carving turns, I'm not into low hook landings. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Ian Thanks for the pics link. I'll check them out more closely later when I'm at work. Hope to see you and everyone else jumping at Mile-Hi again soon. Blue Skies Jeff ... and how could I forget ... we all love you Holly Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Welcome to the world of solo skydives. It only gets more fun what with the constant new experiences we all go through and the things we will learn from them. Be safe ... but have fun. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Oh I forgot to mention that I suffered my first drunken skydiving party injury this weekend. I slipped on the steps of a friends trailer during Jeff's impromptu wake and not only fell of my ass bruising my left cheek, but I also took a nice rib shot (more bruising) by falling on a stump of wood. So my whole left side of my body is kind of beaten up tonight. A nagging shoulder injury from hockey dating back several months, bruised ribs, a bruised butt cheek and to top it off a sore left heel from and hard landing (which I ran out) three weeks ago. It's a good think I'm a hockey player (meaning I can take the pain and play on). Blue Skies Jeff ... and how could I forget ... we all love you Holly. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Mary I'll rest easier when Frank tells us that Mile-Hi is open for business as usual, but I did receive some encouraging news tonight while watching the evening news. Both Fox (who ran a very nice tribute to Jeff) and News4 reported that Mile-Hi will continue to operate in Jeff's memory. So I've got to hope that Frank and Jeffs family had a good talk today. In the meantime, I also plan on visiting the folks at Denver Skydivers (which I was at today but didn't get to jump because of airplane problems) and Skydive the Rockies more often. But both DZ require long commutes compared to my current 20 minute drive to Mile-Hi. Blue Skies Jeff ... and how could I forget ... we all love you Holly. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I have a Wings and like it very much. But there are a few other quality rigs out there that are just as good if not better. But with the Wings you get a lot of bang for your buck. And the customer service with Sunrise Rigging is top notch. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

83 jumps since Jan 1st but lately I haven't seemed to be able to get a good weekend in full of jumps. I had big plans for this weekend (I hoped for 12 or more), but the shit hit the fan and I have to be satisified with the four that I got. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Ever wonder how so many people at a dropzone can be so dependent on so few? I do now. For those who many not have heard this yet, the DZO of my home dropzone was killed while performing aerobatic maneuvers in an airplane with another pilot (who also perished) Saturday afternoon. And now I sit here wondering will I ever get to skydive at Mile-Hi again or will I have to start travelling to get my skydiving fix. Now I'm lucky as I was just a paying fun jumper at Mile-Hi. But what about all those people who depend on the dropzone for some or all of their income? What about the people who work in manifest? The pilots, tandem masters, AFF instructors and cameramen? How about the packers, riggers and drivers? Even the lunch lady who would setup her portable kitchen in the parking lot will lose income. A lot of people's lives are going to be negatively effected if the dropzone is forced to shut it's doors. Now I know that all employees are effected but one such story I heard yesterday really hit home as to how special some of these people are to those of us who just fun jump. We had an impromptu wake in the DZ parking lot last night (and yes as usual I drank too much beer and stayed up way too late. But what else is new, it's all Peter's fault). Anyway, I got to talking to this one fellow who just finished his first day as an employee of Mile-Hi Skydiving. And now this poor soul is facing a very uncertain skydiving future. You see he and his friends did their first tandem about one month ago and he enjoyed his skydiving experience so much that he wants to become one of us. But he can't afford AFF (he's a starving student at the University of Colorado). So he took a packing course and finished something like 20 hours worth of packing training. And as I said, yesterday was his first day on the job. But with the status of the dropzone very much in the air, this dude's short term skydiving future does not look very good. But he tried to assure us that he's had more positive experiences than negative ones and that his dream to become a skydiver is still very much alive. It just may have to wait. Anyway, I just wanted to mention all of this so that all of you who read this will hopefully appreciate your DZOs and the DZ employees who making our jumping possible. I can only hope that Mile-Hi Skydiving survives this tramatic experience. And I have every reason to believe that the surviving DZ manager and staff have the knowledge and know how to continue to run the excellent operation which existed up until yesterday afternoon. And I only hope that Jeff's estate doesn't take away all those hard working people's jobs and friendships which have been built. We may be a disfunctional family at Mile-Hi Skydiving. But rest assured, we are a family. Blue Skies to all and especially my recently lost DZO Jeff Sands. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

1:4:0 One fucked up weekend where the Skydivers of Mile-Hi Skydiving in Longmont CO lost their DZO (Jeff Sands) who was killed Saturday afternoon while performing aerobatic maneuvers in a Pitts Special airplane (another person also perrished in the accident). Four very fun jumps on Saturday prior to hearing about the bad news about Jeff. And then that was it for jumping as the DZ has been closed pending the result of Jeff's estate and any sort of will he may have had. BSBD Jeff ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

High: Being with friends today. Low: Being with friends because we morn the death of our DZO (Jeff Sands from Mile-Hi Skydiving) and find ourselves orphaned. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

High: Great jumping weather this weekend Low: It's not the weekend yet. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

The Lord is my savior. That would be Lord Stanley. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Happy birthday Lewmonst. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

As AggieDave pointed out, it's only one game. But the Ducks have had an incredible playoff run to date. Four straight wins to sweep the defending champs and now a marathon win against the heavily favored Stars. I'm now cheering for the 'nucks to win it all (since the Habs and Avs are out of it), but I'll also accept anyone just as long as it's not Joisey or Dallas. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

LOL ... Sunshine also stole my kiss pass virginity. But I'm not complaining. At least it was a girl who gave me my first kiss pass. I've heard of guys giving guys kiss passes. Eeeuw!!! Hey, technically it wasn't a kiss pass, but Holly gave me a kiss on the airplane (a couple of days before Sunshine's kiss pass). That was cooooooool!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Peter Sykora of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim score one minute into the 5th overtime period to beat the Dallas Stars 4-3. And I believe that this was 4th longest game in NHL history. It's wierd/cool watching a hockey game that last 7+ periods. Oh, the Ducks scored a goal during the 3rd OT period, but it was disallowed due to the net being dislodged prior to the puck entering the net. I thought it was a bad call, so I was happy when the Ducks scored the real winner. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

LOL ... when I first moved to CO five years ago, I was asked by a woman if Canadians celebrated christmas. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over