460

i gotta get a wing suit. this so rocks: http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2003/m_birdman2-p1.php Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

diapers are great underwear for base jumps! Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

do you mean, with a cum shot or with a bullet? Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

As the subject says: "Merry Ex-mas." Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

Right on! I remember when it took forever just to explain the concept to a layperson. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

control tower at intercontental airport, Houston, 1995. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

site analysis is too difficult to generalize even for something a simple as an antenna. more information is needed. guy wires, free standing, side structures, landing areas, height, AM, FM, repeater tower, downwind side, platforms, access, access in case of an accident? Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

I think it relates more to the fill volume of the canopy and the weight differences between the canopies. For example, a large heavy canopy may finish line stretch in more time for a given size pilot chute compared to a smaller canopy. A larger canopy will generally inflate slower than a smaller canopy, simply from the much greater fill volume of requisite air flow to complete the inflation process for a larger canopy. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

One time I was walking back from a tower with a friend at 2am. I left my gear near the entrance to pick up later in my vehicle. My buddy was ground crewing. We were wearing all black. I parked at a church about 1 mile from the entrance, since churchs are 'holy ground.' Most criminals feel shy about breaking into a car parked at a church, and most churches are shy to tow you away. Anyway, we walk through an intersection and there's a group of gangster thugs eyeballing me, harshly. We were the only white (or white bread) looking guys for miles, we were dressed in all black, and covered in sweat. I looked back at them, made a gang symbol with my hand, i smiled, they looked freaked out. they looked straight ahead and drove away. I realized afterwards the sign I made up meant was "we just got back from a hit." Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

No kidding man. i would love to write about the endless adventures, but i cannot unless i plan to never get a job or woman again. I loved Airtardo's posting about Armageddon. I once climbed a big tower in downtown Atlanta for my first tower jump, back in 1993. Freaknik was going on and there was no where to land so I had to cancel the jump. It was a literal version of the 9th level of hell, in downtown Atlanta. Everyone was having sex, literally, horizontally on the sidewalks. I had a middle eastern ground crew, and I told them to wave their jands a lot, speaking rapidly in aggressive arabic, if they got hassled by anybody. i don't think that strategy would work these days! Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

Dick Bender Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

Nick Feteris (founder of the ABA) got mugged at gunpoint while walking to jump a building there. I am not sure if he decided to jump after that. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

we must all realize that "illegal aerial delivery of a person without a permit" for use against base jumpers was extremely contrived. in fact, do you realize how nutty these federal guys can get? when John Vincent jumped the St. Louis Arch, he got away but they arrested his friend who happened to be video taping it... they threatened to put the guy away for "commercial photography without a permit on federal property," with a hefty federal prison sentence. ;( John turned himself in to alleviate this persecution of an essentially innocent person. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

where is lawrocket when we need him??? Please comment on this lawrocket. Thx. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

this is great! a whole crew of women BASE jumpers commenting on the local Houston scene. i've never seen anything like it. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

those work on poorer quality locks, not on good locks with tight tolerances. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

This is dependent on the state. In Texas, this is not true. From BASE 515: "PS Having a set in your possession is a crime unless you are certified locksmith, etc, etc" Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

Wow, I'm very impressed with some of the responses so far. Welp, one day I'll surpass 100 objects, once I get this student debt off my back and can travel out of my immediate area. I'm still proud of being about to 35 local objects or so. The whole world is jumpable! Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

Walt, you've heard the saying "I feel you pain." What's the opposite way of saying that?: "I feel your pleasure." That's just seems perverted. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

Does anyone here have deca-BASE? The only person who had it years ago as far as I know was Phil Smith, BASE 1. Deca-BASE by definition means, at least 10 different Buildings, 10 different Antennas or Aerials, 10 different Spans, and 10 different Earth sites. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

Hey Walt, I did something similar and my face looked like it was going to explode. I think I almost had a stroke according to Yuri who was somehow able to pretty much guzzle that crap. Chris Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

One note about the funny story, was referencing my BASE mentor Steve Morrell. I miss Steve, RIP... Check out the close calls list. It's truly impressive. http://home.triad.rr.com/bmorrell/steve/ The picture is of my BASE mentor Steve doing his first cliff jump... From Black Canyon no less. Perhaps the most intimidating cliff site I know of. Major Stephen A. Morrell (USAF) was a pioneer in many area's of skydiving, including CRW and BASE jumping. These photos of an early base jump he made in Black Canyon, Colorado were found after his death. On the back of the first, Steve had written the following quote: "What kind of man would live a life without daring? Is life so sweet that we should criticize men that seek adventure? Is there a better way to die?" Charles Lindberg August 26th, 1938 Close call list: Steve's close call list. Steve compiled this list a few years before his death, so it is short several close calls, including one just a week before the freak accident that finally claimed him beneath a perfectly fine, open chute... Forgive the all caps, he was an aol'er to the end.... HERE'S THE ONES I CAN REMEMBER, THOUGH I'M SURE I'M LEAVING A LOT OUT : 1983 to 1994 -- 21 DECLARED EMERGENCIES IN MILITARY JETS (NEVER HAVE HAD TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY IN A NORTHWEST BIRD) THESE INCLUDED 4 ENGINE FAILURES, ONE OF WHICH WAS OVER 1000 MILES FROM THE NEAREST PIECE OF LAND WAY OUT OVER THE POND AND COMBINED WITH A SERIOUS FUEL LEAK IN ONE OF MY EXTENDED RANGE TANKS, IT ALSO INCLUDES 4 ENGINE FIRES ONE OF WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH BY FIRING BOTH FIRE BOTTLES OFF. ONE OF THE OTHER FIRES WAS RIGHT AFTER TAKING OFF IN A BAD SANDSTORM WITH 35 KNOT WINDS AND VISIBILITY AT 1/2 MILE (MADE FOR A SPORTY EMERGENCY RETURN AFTER I SHUT IT DOWN AND FIRED THE BOTTLE). MOST OF THE OTHER EMERGENCIES INCLUDED HYDRAULIC FAILURES, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS (ONE OF THEM WAS A MULTIPLE - WHICH ISN'T GOOD.) THE MOST EXCITING ONE WAS DURING THE WAR WHEN I LANDED A BIRD HEAVILY LOADED WITH AMMO WITH NO BRAKES OR SPOILERS (JUST REVERSERS) BECAUSE WE HAD LOST 2 of 3 HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS, HAD A MAJOR ELECTRICAL FIRE (AND ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT GO WITH THAT)I THICK SMOKE AND MISTING HYDRAULIC FLUID (WHICH IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE - PLEASE NOTE ELECTRICAL FIRE MENTIONED ABOVE) AND AN UNSAFE GEAR INDICATION ON THE LEFT MAIN). GOT A NICE MEDAL FOR THAT ONE. 1975 to 1994 MADE OVER 1600 FREEFALL PARACHUTE JUMPS FROM AIRPLANES, GLIDERS AND HOT AIR BALLOONS, THIS INCLUDED NUMEROUS LOW PULLS (MOST INTENTIONAL) OPENING BELOW A GRAND AT TERMINAL. ONE OF WHICH WAS A LOW PULL GETTING CANOPY AT 200 FT RIGHT OVER THE HANGAR AT 175 FT PER SECOND, GREAT RUSHR I GOT IT ON VIDEO IF YOU EVER WANT TO SEE IT. ITS HOT, IF NOT A LITTLE STUPID. I ALSO HAVE AN INTENTIONAL JUMP FROM AN AIRCRAFT A 240 FT (ALSO ON VIDEO). ON AIRPLANE JUMPS I'VE USED MY RESERVE CHUTE 19 TIMES, BAG LOCKSR STREAMERS, LINEOVERS, BLOWN CANOPIES, PILOT CHUTES IN TOW, YOU NAME IT AND I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH IT AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER. I SURVIVED A MEDIUM SPEED (ABOUT 40 - 5OMPH) IMPACT WITH THE GROUND IN 1979 WITH ONLY A BROKEN BACK, I ALSO HAD A PARTICULARLY NASTY TREE LANDING IN 1977 THAT I CAME OUT OF WITH ONLY SCRATCHES, ON ANOTHER JUMP IN 1982 I LANDED OVER A MILE OUT IN THE ATLANTIC (IN FEB !) WITH NO FLOTATION GEAR, NO BOAT WAITING OR LOOKING, AND PROMPTLY GOT TANGLED IN MY GEAR TRYING TO SAVE IT. A 17 YEAR OLD SURFER FINALLY RESCUED ME AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT, A LITTLE SIDENOTE HERER I TRAINED HIM TO JUMP OUT OF GRATITUDE AND PAID FOR HIS FIRST SEVERAL JUMPS. SHORTLY AFTERWARD HE MOVED TO OHIO AND MET A GIRL AT A PARACHUTE CENTER THERE, MARRIED HERT AND NOW THEY HAVE A KID, THAT I FEEL WAS MY DOING IN A ROUNDABOUT WAY. I MEAN, IF I HADN'T ALMOST DROWNED THEN HE COULDN'T HAVE SAVED ME, WOULDN'T HAVE LEARNED TO JUMP AND WOULD NEVER HAVE MET HIS WIFE AND HAD THE KID, COOL HUH? FATE WORKS TN STRANGE WAYS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS LITTLE THINGS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS JUMPING THAT COULD HAVE GOT ME BUT DIDN'T. PEOPLE DEPLOYING THEIR CHUTES UNDER ME, PARTICULARLY UGLY OR DIFFICULT MALFUNCTIONS AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME, AND SOME THAT ARE KINDA COMPLEX TO EXPLAIN HERE. 1982 to 1994 B.A.S.E. OR FIXED OBJECT JUMPING FROM LOW ALTITUDE Buildings, Antennas, Spans (BRIDGES), AND Earth (CLIFFS). I'VE MADE ABOUT 80 SOMETHING BASE JUMPS ALL OF WHICH WERE HAIRY BECAUSE OF THE LOW ALTITUDES INVOLVED (USUALLY JUMPING FROM UNDER 700 FT AND MANY IN THE 200 - 300 ft RANGE) IN AIRPLANE JUMPING I'VE ONLY LOST A FEW FRIENDS AND WATCHED FOUR PEOPLE TAKE IT ALL THE WAY IN. BASE JUMPING IS A LOT MORE RISKY AND I'VE LOST EIGHT FRIENDS IN THE SPORT WATCHING SEVERAL OF THEM GO IN UP CLOSE. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER BASE JUMPER THAT HAS SUCCESSFULLY USED HIS RESERVE MORE THAN ONCE ON A BASE JUMP BUT I'VE DONE IT NOW THREE TIMES NOW AND ALMOST DIED ON EACH (PROBABLY A 50/50 COMBINATION OF LUCK AND SKILL). THE ODD THING IS THAT FOR MOST OF MY BASE JUMPS I HAVEN'T EVEN WORN A RESERVE SINCE THERE IS SO LITTLE TIME TO USE IT IS USUALLY MOOT, GUESS I CHOSE THE RIGHT ONES TO WEAR IT ON. THE FIRST TIME I USED A RESERVE ON A BASE JUMP (1985) AFTER A PILOT CHUTE IN TOW IT OPENED AT 100 FT AND I LANDED IN A RIVER AND GOT WRAPPED AND PINNED UP AGAINST A ROCK WITH JUST MY HEAD OUT OF THE WATER AND WAS RESCUED BEFORE I WAS PULLED UNDER, THE SECOND TIME (SAME BRIDGE BUT IN 1986) I HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT AT NIGHT AND ENDED UP WITH A MAIN AND RESERVE BOTH OUT, OPENING AT 50 OR SO FEET. THE ALMOST INSTANT SPLASHDOWN TOOK ME RIGHT INTO THE RAPIDS SMACKING MY HEAD INTO A ROCK SO HARD IT SPLIT MY HELMET AND PUSHED ONE OF MY TEETH THROUGH THE SKIN JUST BELOW THE LIP AND THEN PINNED ME UNDER WATER SEVERAL TIMEST THE LAST TIME FOR ALMOST TWO MINUTES (WHICH SEEMS LIKE A LOT LONGER WHEN YOU CAN'T BREATHE) THE NEXT TIME I HAD TO USE A RESERVE ON A BASE JUMP WAS AFTER DOING A LONG DELAY OFF THE TOP OF HALF DOME IN YOSEMITE. A SPINNING MALFUNCTION AT LOW ALTITUDE CLOSE TO THE FACE AND I MADE THE DECISION TO GO FOR THE RESERVE RATHER THAN BE MAIMED ON IMPACT INTO THE ROCKY TALUS. I CHOPPED MY MAIN AND DEPLOYED THE RESERVE AT THE SAME TIME AND GOT RESERVE OPENING AND IMPACT ON A ROCK LEDGE LESS THAN A SECOND APART. I CRACKED ONE OF MY LEFT RIBS AND SPRAINED MY FOOT AS I IMPACTED THE LEDGE WHICH WAS ABOUT 15 FT WIDE. AFTER AN 8 HOUR HIKE TO THE TOP IT TOOK ME 9 MORE HOURS TO GET BACK DOWN TRYING TO EVADE THE COPS, AS IT TURNED OUT I GOT ARRESTED ANYWAY FOR "UNAUTHORIZED AERIAL DELIVERY OF A PERSON WITHOUT A PERMIT" AND "CREATING AND MAINTAINING A HAZARDOUS CONDITION". EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER I BEAT IT IN COURT. THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM - YOU CAN BE GUILTY AS SIN BUT IF YOU THROW ENOUGH MONEY AT THE PROBLEM YOU WILL ALWAYS END UP NOT GUILTY (IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME JUST ASK OJ SIMPSON), ON ANOTHER BASE JUMP I WAS JUMPING A 2000 FT TV TOWER WITH JOHN OWENS AND MY CHUTE OPENED BACKWARDS INTO THE STRUCTURE AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MISS THE TOWER BY STALL TURNING TO THE LEFT. LUCKY FOR ME I HAD OPENED AT A GAP IN THE GUIDE WIRES OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, A QUARTER OF A SECOND SOONER OR LATER ON MY FREEFALL DELAY AND I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY, ON MY INFAMOUS CLIFF JUMP IN SAUDI ARABIA IN 1988 (A NICE WALL I'D DONE SEVERAL MONTHS EARLIER SUCCESSFULLY) MY CHUTE OPENED DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE WALL ALMOST 180 DEGREES OFF HEADING. THE IMPACT BROKE TWO BONES IN EACH FOOT. LUCKILY I WAS WEARING KNEEPLATES, ELBOW PLATES, AND A HELMET. MY KNEES AND HEAD TOOK HARD HITS ALSO BUT THEY DIDN'T BREAK THANKS TO WEARING PROTECTION. 80% OF HEAD ON CLIFF STRIKES ARE FATAL SO I WAS PRETTY LUCKY (PREPARED I'D PREFER TO SAY). THIS HAPPENED WAY OUT IN THE DESERT AND IT TOOK MY FRIEND SEVEN HOURS TO CARRY ME OUT OF THE DESERT AND TWO AND A HALF MORE TO GET ME TO A SAUDI HOSPITAL. AH YES, FOND MEMORIES OF THAT DAY. THE GOOD THING WAS THAT I WAS ONE WEEK FROM SHIPPING BACK STATESIDE TO CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE AND THE AIR FORCE HAD ALREADY GIVEN ME MY TICKETS. I WAS GOING TO LONDON ON THE 20th TO JUMP SOME BUILDINGS THERE AND CONTINUING TO THE STATES ON PAN AM FLIGHT 103 ON THE 21st, OF COURSE I MISSED IT SINCE I WAS AIR EVACed TO A MILITARY HOSPITAL IN GERMANY TO HAVE MY FEET REBUILT WITH STAINLESS STEEL PINS AND SCREWS. AN ODD FOOTNOTE TO THIS, IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FLIGHT I ALWAYS TAKE MY PARACHUTE AS CARRY ON BAGGAGE. I FIGURE THEY HAD OVER A MINUTE FROM THE EXPLOSION TO IMPACT. I CAN PUT A CHUTE ON TN 20 SECONDS, EVEN IN THE DARK. YOU NEVER KNOW I COULD HAVE BEEN THE ONLY SURVIVOR, WOULDN'T THAT HAVE CAUSED SOME SUSPICION - THE ONLY SURVIVOR IS RETURNING FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE A CHUTE WITH HIM 1983 DAVE FOX (HE FLIES FOR DELTA NOW) AND I CAME REAL CLOSE TO HAVING A MIDAIR AS STUDENT PILOTS DOING FORMATION ACROBATICS IN MISSISSIPPI. 1985 VERY NASTY THUNDERSTORM ENCOUNTER IN THE PACIFIC 1988 EVEN WORSE THUNDERSTORM ENCOUNTER IN WESTERN SAUDI ARABIA. MY COPILOT AND I BOTH ENDED UP WITH BRUISES FROM BEING THROWN AGAINST OUR SHOULDER HARNESSES. 1991 SURVIVED TWO SCUD ATTACKS WHILE UNLOADING CARGO AND FUELING UP, 1992 BARELY MISSED HITTING MOUNTAIN WHILE BEING VECTORED BY RUSSIAN CONTROLLERS IN TAJEKISTAN (SP?) 1994 JUMP TEAM ACCIDENT - SHATTERED LEFT LEG AND ANKLE 1994 HEAD ON WITH THE 18 WHEELER - TWO BROKE RIBS MISC TRIVIA-- TOTAL BONES BROKEN - 10 -- PIECES OF HARDWARE HOLDING ME TOGETHER - 12 -- BAD SPRAINS TO MY RIGHT FOOT - 4 -- BAD SPRAINS TO MY LEFT FOOT - 3 -- TOTAL NUMBER OF SPEEDING TICKETS - 42 -- NUMBER OF STITCHES - LOST COUNT WELL I THIS TOOK LONGER THAN I THOUGHT (BAD SIGN, HUH?) GIVE ME A CALL. IT WAS NICE TALKING TO YOU AGAIN, PARTY TIL IMPACT, STEVE PS - NO TIME FOR A SPELL CHECKF SO PLEASE DON'T MARK IT UP WITH RED INK OR NOTHING Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

Ahh... the memories. That was a great experience. And there are so many more. Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

http://home.triad.rr.com/bmorrell/steve/ The picture is of my BASE mentor Steve doing his first cliff jump... From Black Canyon no less. Perhaps the most intimidating cliff site I know of. Major Stephen A. Morrell (USAF) was a pioneer in many area's of skydiving, including CRW and BASE jumping. These photos of an early base jump he made in Black Canyon, Colorado were found after his death. On the back of the first, Steve had written the following quote: "What kind of man would live a life without daring? Is life so sweet that we should criticize men that seek adventure? Is there a better way to die?" Charles Lindberg August 26th, 1938 Close call list: Steve's close call list. Steve compiled this list a few years before his death, so it is short several close calls, including one just a week before the freak accident that finally claimed him beneath a perfectly fine, open chute... Forgive the all caps, he was an aol'er to the end.... HERE'S THE ONES I CAN REMEMBER, THOUGH I'M SURE I'M LEAVING A LOT OUT : 1983 to 1994 -- 21 DECLARED EMERGENCIES IN MILITARY JETS (NEVER HAVE HAD TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY IN A NORTHWEST BIRD) THESE INCLUDED 4 ENGINE FAILURES, ONE OF WHICH WAS OVER 1000 MILES FROM THE NEAREST PIECE OF LAND WAY OUT OVER THE POND AND COMBINED WITH A SERIOUS FUEL LEAK IN ONE OF MY EXTENDED RANGE TANKS, IT ALSO INCLUDES 4 ENGINE FIRES ONE OF WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH BY FIRING BOTH FIRE BOTTLES OFF. ONE OF THE OTHER FIRES WAS RIGHT AFTER TAKING OFF IN A BAD SANDSTORM WITH 35 KNOT WINDS AND VISIBILITY AT 1/2 MILE (MADE FOR A SPORTY EMERGENCY RETURN AFTER I SHUT IT DOWN AND FIRED THE BOTTLE). MOST OF THE OTHER EMERGENCIES INCLUDED HYDRAULIC FAILURES, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS (ONE OF THEM WAS A MULTIPLE - WHICH ISN'T GOOD.) THE MOST EXCITING ONE WAS DURING THE WAR WHEN I LANDED A BIRD HEAVILY LOADED WITH AMMO WITH NO BRAKES OR SPOILERS (JUST REVERSERS) BECAUSE WE HAD LOST 2 of 3 HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS, HAD A MAJOR ELECTRICAL FIRE (AND ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT GO WITH THAT)I THICK SMOKE AND MISTING HYDRAULIC FLUID (WHICH IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE - PLEASE NOTE ELECTRICAL FIRE MENTIONED ABOVE) AND AN UNSAFE GEAR INDICATION ON THE LEFT MAIN). GOT A NICE MEDAL FOR THAT ONE. 1975 to 1994 MADE OVER 1600 FREEFALL PARACHUTE JUMPS FROM AIRPLANES, GLIDERS AND HOT AIR BALLOONS, THIS INCLUDED NUMEROUS LOW PULLS (MOST INTENTIONAL) OPENING BELOW A GRAND AT TERMINAL. ONE OF WHICH WAS A LOW PULL GETTING CANOPY AT 200 FT RIGHT OVER THE HANGAR AT 175 FT PER SECOND, GREAT RUSHR I GOT IT ON VIDEO IF YOU EVER WANT TO SEE IT. ITS HOT, IF NOT A LITTLE STUPID. I ALSO HAVE AN INTENTIONAL JUMP FROM AN AIRCRAFT A 240 FT (ALSO ON VIDEO). ON AIRPLANE JUMPS I'VE USED MY RESERVE CHUTE 19 TIMES, BAG LOCKSR STREAMERS, LINEOVERS, BLOWN CANOPIES, PILOT CHUTES IN TOW, YOU NAME IT AND I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH IT AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER. I SURVIVED A MEDIUM SPEED (ABOUT 40 - 5OMPH) IMPACT WITH THE GROUND IN 1979 WITH ONLY A BROKEN BACK, I ALSO HAD A PARTICULARLY NASTY TREE LANDING IN 1977 THAT I CAME OUT OF WITH ONLY SCRATCHES, ON ANOTHER JUMP IN 1982 I LANDED OVER A MILE OUT IN THE ATLANTIC (IN FEB !) WITH NO FLOTATION GEAR, NO BOAT WAITING OR LOOKING, AND PROMPTLY GOT TANGLED IN MY GEAR TRYING TO SAVE IT. A 17 YEAR OLD SURFER FINALLY RESCUED ME AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT, A LITTLE SIDENOTE HERER I TRAINED HIM TO JUMP OUT OF GRATITUDE AND PAID FOR HIS FIRST SEVERAL JUMPS. SHORTLY AFTERWARD HE MOVED TO OHIO AND MET A GIRL AT A PARACHUTE CENTER THERE, MARRIED HERT AND NOW THEY HAVE A KID, THAT I FEEL WAS MY DOING IN A ROUNDABOUT WAY. I MEAN, IF I HADN'T ALMOST DROWNED THEN HE COULDN'T HAVE SAVED ME, WOULDN'T HAVE LEARNED TO JUMP AND WOULD NEVER HAVE MET HIS WIFE AND HAD THE KID, COOL HUH? FATE WORKS TN STRANGE WAYS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS LITTLE THINGS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS JUMPING THAT COULD HAVE GOT ME BUT DIDN'T. PEOPLE DEPLOYING THEIR CHUTES UNDER ME, PARTICULARLY UGLY OR DIFFICULT MALFUNCTIONS AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME, AND SOME THAT ARE KINDA COMPLEX TO EXPLAIN HERE. 1982 to 1994 B.A.S.E. OR FIXED OBJECT JUMPING FROM LOW ALTITUDE Buildings, Antennas, Spans (BRIDGES), AND Earth (CLIFFS). I'VE MADE ABOUT 80 SOMETHING BASE JUMPS ALL OF WHICH WERE HAIRY BECAUSE OF THE LOW ALTITUDES INVOLVED (USUALLY JUMPING FROM UNDER 700 FT AND MANY IN THE 200 - 300 ft RANGE) IN AIRPLANE JUMPING I'VE ONLY LOST A FEW FRIENDS AND WATCHED FOUR PEOPLE TAKE IT ALL THE WAY IN. BASE JUMPING IS A LOT MORE RISKY AND I'VE LOST EIGHT FRIENDS IN THE SPORT WATCHING SEVERAL OF THEM GO IN UP CLOSE. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER BASE JUMPER THAT HAS SUCCESSFULLY USED HIS RESERVE MORE THAN ONCE ON A BASE JUMP BUT I'VE DONE IT NOW THREE TIMES NOW AND ALMOST DIED ON EACH (PROBABLY A 50/50 COMBINATION OF LUCK AND SKILL). THE ODD THING IS THAT FOR MOST OF MY BASE JUMPS I HAVEN'T EVEN WORN A RESERVE SINCE THERE IS SO LITTLE TIME TO USE IT IS USUALLY MOOT, GUESS I CHOSE THE RIGHT ONES TO WEAR IT ON. THE FIRST TIME I USED A RESERVE ON A BASE JUMP (1985) AFTER A PILOT CHUTE IN TOW IT OPENED AT 100 FT AND I LANDED IN A RIVER AND GOT WRAPPED AND PINNED UP AGAINST A ROCK WITH JUST MY HEAD OUT OF THE WATER AND WAS RESCUED BEFORE I WAS PULLED UNDER, THE SECOND TIME (SAME BRIDGE BUT IN 1986) I HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT AT NIGHT AND ENDED UP WITH A MAIN AND RESERVE BOTH OUT, OPENING AT 50 OR SO FEET. THE ALMOST INSTANT SPLASHDOWN TOOK ME RIGHT INTO THE RAPIDS SMACKING MY HEAD INTO A ROCK SO HARD IT SPLIT MY HELMET AND PUSHED ONE OF MY TEETH THROUGH THE SKIN JUST BELOW THE LIP AND THEN PINNED ME UNDER WATER SEVERAL TIMEST THE LAST TIME FOR ALMOST TWO MINUTES (WHICH SEEMS LIKE A LOT LONGER WHEN YOU CAN'T BREATHE) THE NEXT TIME I HAD TO USE A RESERVE ON A BASE JUMP WAS AFTER DOING A LONG DELAY OFF THE TOP OF HALF DOME IN YOSEMITE. A SPINNING MALFUNCTION AT LOW ALTITUDE CLOSE TO THE FACE AND I MADE THE DECISION TO GO FOR THE RESERVE RATHER THAN BE MAIMED ON IMPACT INTO THE ROCKY TALUS. I CHOPPED MY MAIN AND DEPLOYED THE RESERVE AT THE SAME TIME AND GOT RESERVE OPENING AND IMPACT ON A ROCK LEDGE LESS THAN A SECOND APART. I CRACKED ONE OF MY LEFT RIBS AND SPRAINED MY FOOT AS I IMPACTED THE LEDGE WHICH WAS ABOUT 15 FT WIDE. AFTER AN 8 HOUR HIKE TO THE TOP IT TOOK ME 9 MORE HOURS TO GET BACK DOWN TRYING TO EVADE THE COPS, AS IT TURNED OUT I GOT ARRESTED ANYWAY FOR "UNAUTHORIZED AERIAL DELIVERY OF A PERSON WITHOUT A PERMIT" AND "CREATING AND MAINTAINING A HAZARDOUS CONDITION". EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER I BEAT IT IN COURT. THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM - YOU CAN BE GUILTY AS SIN BUT IF YOU THROW ENOUGH MONEY AT THE PROBLEM YOU WILL ALWAYS END UP NOT GUILTY (IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME JUST ASK OJ SIMPSON), ON ANOTHER BASE JUMP I WAS JUMPING A 2000 FT TV TOWER WITH JOHN OWENS AND MY CHUTE OPENED BACKWARDS INTO THE STRUCTURE AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MISS THE TOWER BY STALL TURNING TO THE LEFT. LUCKY FOR ME I HAD OPENED AT A GAP IN THE GUIDE WIRES OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, A QUARTER OF A SECOND SOONER OR LATER ON MY FREEFALL DELAY AND I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY, ON MY INFAMOUS CLIFF JUMP IN SAUDI ARABIA IN 1988 (A NICE WALL I'D DONE SEVERAL MONTHS EARLIER SUCCESSFULLY) MY CHUTE OPENED DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE WALL ALMOST 180 DEGREES OFF HEADING. THE IMPACT BROKE TWO BONES IN EACH FOOT. LUCKILY I WAS WEARING KNEEPLATES, ELBOW PLATES, AND A HELMET. MY KNEES AND HEAD TOOK HARD HITS ALSO BUT THEY DIDN'T BREAK THANKS TO WEARING PROTECTION. 80% OF HEAD ON CLIFF STRIKES ARE FATAL SO I WAS PRETTY LUCKY (PREPARED I'D PREFER TO SAY). THIS HAPPENED WAY OUT IN THE DESERT AND IT TOOK MY FRIEND SEVEN HOURS TO CARRY ME OUT OF THE DESERT AND TWO AND A HALF MORE TO GET ME TO A SAUDI HOSPITAL. AH YES, FOND MEMORIES OF THAT DAY. THE GOOD THING WAS THAT I WAS ONE WEEK FROM SHIPPING BACK STATESIDE TO CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE AND THE AIR FORCE HAD ALREADY GIVEN ME MY TICKETS. I WAS GOING TO LONDON ON THE 20th TO JUMP SOME BUILDINGS THERE AND CONTINUING TO THE STATES ON PAN AM FLIGHT 103 ON THE 21st, OF COURSE I MISSED IT SINCE I WAS AIR EVACed TO A MILITARY HOSPITAL IN GERMANY TO HAVE MY FEET REBUILT WITH STAINLESS STEEL PINS AND SCREWS. AN ODD FOOTNOTE TO THIS, IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FLIGHT I ALWAYS TAKE MY PARACHUTE AS CARRY ON BAGGAGE. I FIGURE THEY HAD OVER A MINUTE FROM THE EXPLOSION TO IMPACT. I CAN PUT A CHUTE ON TN 20 SECONDS, EVEN IN THE DARK. YOU NEVER KNOW I COULD HAVE BEEN THE ONLY SURVIVOR, WOULDN'T THAT HAVE CAUSED SOME SUSPICION - THE ONLY SURVIVOR IS RETURNING FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE A CHUTE WITH HIM 1983 DAVE FOX (HE FLIES FOR DELTA NOW) AND I CAME REAL CLOSE TO HAVING A MIDAIR AS STUDENT PILOTS DOING FORMATION ACROBATICS IN MISSISSIPPI. 1985 VERY NASTY THUNDERSTORM ENCOUNTER IN THE PACIFIC 1988 EVEN WORSE THUNDERSTORM ENCOUNTER IN WESTERN SAUDI ARABIA. MY COPILOT AND I BOTH ENDED UP WITH BRUISES FROM BEING THROWN AGAINST OUR SHOULDER HARNESSES. 1991 SURVIVED TWO SCUD ATTACKS WHILE UNLOADING CARGO AND FUELING UP, 1992 BARELY MISSED HITTING MOUNTAIN WHILE BEING VECTORED BY RUSSIAN CONTROLLERS IN TAJEKISTAN (SP?) 1994 JUMP TEAM ACCIDENT - SHATTERED LEFT LEG AND ANKLE 1994 HEAD ON WITH THE 18 WHEELER - TWO BROKE RIBS MISC TRIVIA-- TOTAL BONES BROKEN - 10 -- PIECES OF HARDWARE HOLDING ME TOGETHER - 12 -- BAD SPRAINS TO MY RIGHT FOOT - 4 -- BAD SPRAINS TO MY LEFT FOOT - 3 -- TOTAL NUMBER OF SPEEDING TICKETS - 42 -- NUMBER OF STITCHES - LOST COUNT WELL I THIS TOOK LONGER THAN I THOUGHT (BAD SIGN, HUH?) GIVE ME A CALL. IT WAS NICE TALKING TO YOU AGAIN, PARTY TIL IMPACT, STEVE PS - NO TIME FOR A SPELL CHECKF SO PLEASE DON'T MARK IT UP WITH RED INK OR NOTHING Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

why stop at 100? Why not 200 objects or 1000 objects? I don't have 100 objects but I have jumped a significant fraction of every object in my object-filled area. And most of these were firsts... Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174