basehoundsam

I did about 100 jumps on my classic 2 collapsing everything at pull time. I made another 60 or so in full flight. (all with a spectre 120). I then switched to a Samurai 120. I made about 40 jumps in full flight with the Samurai. I then started flying a skyflyer with my Spectre. I made a few jumps, thought I was stable enough at pull time, and switched to my Samurai. Deploying in full flight I had the gnarliest line twist, with a disintigrating canopy I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.I chopped it quick-like. After talking to Kim at Birdman, she informed me of a few simple truths. 1. The burble behind a Skyflier is about the size of a Mack truck. Much larger than a GTI or Classic. 2. The longer bridle,open corners, and packing pin to grommet significantly reduce spinning mals. 3. Relaxing thru opening seems to make things a hell of lot friendlier. Since then I've been flying my Samurais with my Skyflier sans problemo..... I also use an open corner Morpheus Gargoyle that has given me nothing but love. Love I tell you. The open corner thing really makes sense.I am anxiously awaiting Vertigos Merlin that is the next step in wingsuit BASE containers. Just my .02 Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Just wanted to drop a line to everyone out there and wish them a very happy new years!!!!! We are psyched to have filled our Feb. 26th trip . I was just down in Basaseachi, pre-new years, and fired off a few jumps while I tied up some loose ends. Rolled around looking at potential new exit points. As A bonus, our Heli guy had no problem letting me out low over the hotel. We have a few slots left on our March 5th tour. Just to let everyone know, we would love to put together a third trip starting March 12th. I just revamped our websight, and added a bunch of new photos, and virtual BASE jumps.(Check out the Waterfall..... It's cool....) www.adrenalineexploits.com Wishing One and all a very Sub-Terminal Day, Jay Epstein p.s. I'll apologize now for the weak band-width of our server. We're working on changing servers soon. If our sight isn't available, try back in an hour.... too many BASE-heads have probably been downloading video. Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

I'm thinking this weekend, we might try to get a certain one legged Dr. off a certain object we both know and love so much...... If the weather looks good, I could probably come flock for a few hours. It sounds like you're naturally flying the suit quite well(pretty instinctual aye). Give me a ring soon.. www.adrenalineexploits.com Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Better yet....... get Skymonkey to explain a predator dive...... hee hee..... www.adrenalineexploits.com Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Getting ready to revamp our website..... just learned how to post video..... thought I'ld post the video sites. http://basehound.tripod.com/Video/djump2.wmv and http://basehound.tripod.com/Video/jjump2.wmv. I just returned from Mexico a few days before new years, and will post more later this week. Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Just figures out how to post video..... thought I'ld share. http://basehound.tripod.com/Video/jjump2.wmv Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Update from Eloy: monkey shaped creature flying wingsuit has nasty cutaway beneath teeny-tiny 75 ft2 canopy. Scared me ...... that's for sure.......... I'll let the guy with curly tail tell the tale. (Ha A pun.....) Jay E. Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

I see your point .. I can understand that people do have issues. Unfortionately ..... I feel a little like your condo neighbor. I dated a girlfriend for 2 years who had gone to a seminar on ADD. She had self diagnosed herself as ADD after filling out a simple questionnaire. She went to a reputable shrink in the Boulder area(an area that had more mental health people per capita than anywhere else in the U.S. in the 90's) who promptly declared her problems in college were related to ADD, and prescribed ridalin(s.p.??) . Yes..... her attention span went up significantly.... she finished college..... she also became a shell of a person..... it's like that fire inside of her eyes just burnt out. Her soul seemed to become stale after an extended period on the "miracle" drugs. I did a bit of research on the net at the beginning of 2000. I was surprised to find a large amount of ant-ridalin/prosac/ect groups out there . I was also surprised at how many parents had tried alternative means of "ADD" methods with surprisingly good results. I did a bit more research into the subject. My sister is a neuro-surgeon. She explained to me how ridiculously corupt the whole brain game is. Heads of neuro departments get shipped to sheik resorts with names like Shagra-la or Vail to learn about the new cool drug for the year. Incentive programs for doctors prescribing drugs. It's disgusting. I looked at the ADD questionnaire my girlfriend filled out.... according to it..... I'm ADD.....as a matter a fact....everyone of my friends is also ADD. I understand there are people out there who benefit from some of these drugs..... but when 20-30 percent of all elementary school children are being diagnosed as "miracle" drug deficient....... I don't see it.......... Just my .02 Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

I can tell you from personal experience..... don't do it. A wingsuit in moving water is a real potential death sentence. You will never be able to get out of it completely. You will be attached to your rig, and you will go down with it. I was on a BASE jump, and chopped my main. I was lucky not to lose my life on that one... A wingsuit is nothing but a trap in water... it will provide zero flotation, and maximum captivity. just my .02 cents. Jay E. www.adrenalineexploits.com Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Call me bird-boy....... I have BIG plans for you this week. Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Hey Tom, I will be in Marano (s.p.) for a few days and Eloy for a day or two. I'ld love to meet and get some flight time in. I am also a dealer/instructor. I'll bring my classic and my flier. I also have an extra suit or two to demo out. Send me an e-mail if you're interested in making some flights..... See yah... Jay E. jayepstein@hotmail.com

Just got my new BASE pants....... wow...... amazing how much faster on a skydive they go.... I'ld say about 20 percent faster at least. Tried em off the local 1000 foot antenna..... could tell that they definitely inflate... but not sure how much distance they helped track in 6 seconds..... I'll try again tonight..... On a two way tracking dive, I completely blew by my partner, and was side slipping at 90 degrees past him to bleed off speed as he was maxing out. Now this guy is a twig and built for tracking. Normally I am trying to catch him the entire time. I had more float, forward, and general range, than he could handle. He's ordering a set tomorrow...... Just my .02 cents...... Jay Epstein Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Rad..... My family runs a cultural art retreat in the mountains outside Iz. de Matamoros about 15 minutes away from there(www.el-descanso.com). The area is amazing, and the jumpers are way cool. I've jumped in Tequesquitengo before..but not in Cuautla yet. If anyone is interested in doing a buggy/ trip down there, let me know, as we have a 15 passanger van and accomodations for about 10-15 people pretty close. I am going to be down there quite a bit this Dec.and March, as I run a guiding service for B.A.S.E jumping.( www.adrenalineexploits.com ) Fire me off an e-mail if you need anything down there...... Jay Epstein Ramirez jayepstein@hotmail.com

I've used my PT on a 2000 foot wall 4-5 times this year, in special mode, and it has been almost right on the money. I'ld say it's pretty damn accurate.. Jay Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Yeah but remember what its like to not have an option... you simply go in....pro's and con's.... overall personally I think it's a great learning tool. If it saves one person.... it was worth it for them to have the two canopies on their back. It really comes down to........ are you opening at least 200 ft off the ground.... and are you willing to pay/ lug two canopies up everything you climb??? It's a personal choice.... but the whole evaluate, think, reach choice..... well after something goes wrong on a terminal jump, lets say a line over. At least after evaluating, I have a choice as to what I reach for, I can reach for a riser, I can cut away the brake line with the WLO toggles, I can chop the canopy and hope for the best. At least even if I come out of spining crap, I still have a second canopy instantly over my head. Or on a Birdbase.... where my main p.c. sits in my verbal and turns into a knot. At least there's a second p.c. you can throw out ... as low as 150 ft that will still save you....Bird-BASE goes real real slow. If you have a total mal... no matter how unlikely it is...... you have the distinct pleasure of riding it in from 1000 ft for about 10-12 seconds.... knowing the whole time............................................................................................................................................... you wish you had another p.c. to throw out...... just my .02 cents.... I personally jump my single canopy rigs..... even slider up .... most of the time....... but some nights.... on less than ideal conditions....... my sorceror still gives me warm fuzzies on the slider up stuff.... Jay E. www.adrenalineexploits.com Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

I own a sorceror and jump it regularly under all conditions.I agree, it is not ideal for slider down. I spend a lot of time in Moab. Having said that, it is an amazing machine. I think a lot of jumpers would rather buy two rigs for the same price as the sorceror. Yes it is a bit bulky, but it really gives your head warm fuzzy's to know you have a useable second. A few fatalities that "may" have been avoided if they had a spare canopy...... Jan Davis..... and Lukas Knutson.... In the end it is all purely personal choice. I also own a gargoyle... and my new "Merlin"(Wingsuit Specific rig) from Vertigo should bee here any day. It is definitely different to pack a sorceror(for me it's 4 folds instead of 3), but I have had very good on heading performance under my sorceror. My buddy owns one also..... it's all he owns...... and he has about 500 jumps on the system, with about 8-10 intentional cut aways...... two under 300 feet. He has never had a 180 or anything even close. As far as a learning tool..... I think it does a great job for people with low experience on slider up jumps. I did my first couple bird BASE jumps with this setup..... and I must say it gave me a little more confidence knowing I had two canopies back there. Jay E. p.s. come join the "ROCK DROP FLOCK!!!" Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

I use a safety jacket on gnarley ones.....it actually fits underneath anything I normally jump. Check out this link.... http://www.go-ride.com/prod_armor_dainese.html I found mine at a bike swap for about 150. Jay E. Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Hi Kim - After blowing out multiple zippers from trying to fit too much battle gear on for BASE jumps, I replaced most of mine with metal zippers.... they never come undone!!! I had to special order the zippers from a zipper company in Denver(About 4 bucks a piece). My next wingsuit I will definately preorder the metal zippers and have Kim ship them out ahead to be built in in the first place. Jay E. www.adrenalineexploits.com Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

One of the most important things people are forgetting is shin/knee protection, elbows, and a helmet. Hitting any of these body parts under canopy or landing could potentially take you out of the game!!! It can take a boo-boo and turn it into a serious problem. I personally take everything including the kitchen sink on BASE jumps. I can even fit a full Dainese body armor suit under my wingsuit.(ask BPS ..... he almost laughed himself off the exit point last time he saw me suit up.) Just my .02$$ Jay E. www.adrenalineexploits.com Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Weegirl- I have been BASE jumping for about two years now. I know you have good intentions, and A very hungry interest in this activity, but what's the hurry???? The objects aren't going anywhere. In the end so much of this sport is good judgment, a head game, and gear. I remember my first couple of jumps, I was so un-knowledgeable I didn't even truly understand how a parachute flies, or achieves lift. I just knew it should be big and square. Pull on the toggles, it does this. Pull on the risers it does that. I got really really lucky...... A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE (NOW), took me under his wing and mentored me through becoming a more well rounded BASE jumper. He is a master rigger, aff, .......ect..... 250+ BASE jumper . I can pass along to you some things I've picked up along the way. 1. Your basically committing suicide without the commitment. Your just saving yourself with a bunch of nylon attached to strings. 2. All you have between you and certain death is your gear. KNOW IT WELL !!!!! 3. It's not a matter of if , it's when you will have a 180 and face an object. 4. You have to be able to be scared out of your skull.....and still perform at higher than optimal levels. 5. You have to be able to be scared out of your skull.....and if you can't perform at higher than optimal levels, have the self moderation to walk off the object..... hey, it'll still be there tomorrow. 6. Realize that BASE and skydiving are to two totally different activities. BASE requires you to be a master packer,canopy pilot,subterminal body pilot, and all around quick on the instant decision making. These are just a few things to digest. I'm sure you'll either find a suitable mentor, or take a course(P.S. Jimmy and Marta at Vertigo ROCK!!) See you when I'm looking at yah..... Jay E. WWW.ADRENALINEEXPLOITS.COM p.s. If you want to meet and see tons of Jumpers, the Turkey Boogie in Moab over Thanksgiving is an awesome place to soak up BASE...... I just got back from there last night..........mmmmm..mmmmmmm.......mmmmmmmmmmmmm goooood!!! Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

Hold it... hold it...... hold .......it...... Personally..... I can't wait till you join the Rock Drop Flock. Then I won't have to go first all the damn time...... We're headed to Moab this weekend. I think Sporto is in. Any chance you can come out and play??? Jay p.s. Did you see my terrifying H20 landing..... now that's a major No-No in a Wing-Suit.!!! Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com

I have had one very very scary Bird-B.A.S.E. exit . I've done about 5 Bird-B.A.S.E. jumps from 2-3,000 foot cliffs. I was getting a little to confident, and aggressive with attempting to get the maximum subterminal flight in the first 2 seconds. I exited with my arm wings fully inflated, and my tail wing mostly closed. I also launched out very hard and very head high. I instantly was almost in a sit position. A second into the flight, my tail wing caught wind from below and flipped me over, now on my back for an instant, backtracking towards the wall. I barrrel rolled over and turned away from the wall, and flew for my life, barely missing an outcroping. I was very shaken(and stirred), and landed next to a river. My canopy touched down in the water, and yanked me in. A definate no-no in a wingsuit. I fought with it for 5 minutes , but had to cut away the canopy, as I was losing the battle. I recovered my canopy, and we built a fire to dry out. Unfortunately My GPS got soaked. I'm lucky to have not been injured or worse on this jump. I'm lucky to have had 2000+ feet of altitude as well. Lessons Learned: 1. Going head low is A good thing on exit with a wingsuit. 2. Always..... always keep flying your canopy, and you head after a shaky experience. 3. Little mistakes are quite amplified on "Specialty" jumps. Plummet Safely, Jay Epstein www.adrenalineexploits.com Jay Epstein Ramirez www.adrenalineexploits.com