vandev

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you'd like to start a discussion of that accident, there's a "post new" button in the upper right corner of the forum page. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cool, Im glad its there, but I was more interested in replying to your post where you talk about feeling responsible and teaching and mentoring and stuff. I noticed in the past you have made several post like that. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think that helping reduce the risks is better than refusing to help. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now be honest, did you try talking him out of it? Were you the most experienced jumper on the load? If so, do you think that matters at all? I was also wondering where you exited from. Were you close to the pillar or on the pillar? How is the jumper? Did he recover OK? Since you went downtown on this incident, can you please tell us how badly it burnt the bridge during that time of year? In reply to your post about feeling responsible and back to my original question, how responsible did you feel with that accident? *** I will have to admit i thought i would never find this crap in a base forum. Especially from someone as experienced as you.... i am new to base as i am going threw my research phase. This is not a attack on you Johnny, only a observation from someone who has happened to hang around people of your experience level. It does very much sound like a attack on Tom A. I have never met Tom , but feel as if i have know him for a while so i will add my 2 cents. Tom has been more than helpful answering and helping anyone who asks for any help in this sport. I know i have asked the stupidest questions more than once . He always answers with a great attitude. I saw your resume and find it hard to believe you brought up this incident. For one, that you even had the time with a resume like yours... I would hate to be on a FJC and have you give me a gear check if you where standing next to TOM as it seems you have some ill feelings about him... I thought pretty much people with your experience should be setting a little higher standards for us newer people to learn from. If i saw this crap at jump point between experienced jumpers , i would most definatly walk down. As i said, i am new. I hope this is not like the NFL, where allot of talented people act like assholes.. I would think in this sport, there would be a common bond not found in allot of sports. I surely hope so... As for feeling responsable.... How about #63 Lori Barr, July 23, 2002 ....Do you think everyone who had anything to do with her , from her first jump till her last jump felt responsable...."Yes", I bet they all felt awfull.. It's human nature.... I have been in the same shoes and know that feeling. It's human... And for Tom staying behind...."He just has big balls to do the right thing... You dont find that in most people these day's. As a ex Airborne Ranger we have a saying, "You never leave anyone behind"... never! Let me ask you Johnny, "Would you leave someone behind who smacked in if you thought it would burn a site?? I would hope not.... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Hey Tim, You are right in what you are saying. if we where all betting on a jump of course we would all take odds on the experiance level. What they are saying is that is not only always the case. They are saying there is sometimes that prodidgy person who is totally tuned in. On the other hand ,you have a high numbered jumper with terrible skills and terrible judgment. I have seen them. Iit's all a state of mind you might say. I wont even go to the mentor thing as it seems like a trick question with to many what if's and circumstances to be aggreed on. But in the end, you and only you can make the final decision and you are responsible." I never read where a mentor pushed you"... Peace all, Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

I will be looking to get a 7 cell canopy...a spectre ..i guess 170 or bigger...to practice the skills i am going to need. My current 109 crossfire will do nothing to prepair me for what i will need. If anyone has any other suggestions about canoies i would love to hear them. Thanks All...Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

I don't necessarily agree with the rule that you must have 150 or 250 skydives to BASE jump; I've seen guys with 60 skydives perform flawlessly off an object, and I've also seen guys with 3000 skydives totally hose themselves off the same object. Each person's abilities are different; some need more time, others need less, but in either case attitude is everything. *** I will have to agree with Tom And K763's , It's all about your state of mind. I am in the research process of getting into base. I am doing as much research and bugging all and any base jumpers as possible...."Tom" included, as i have been asking him repetitive questions about equipment and what if's.... to take me to the next step which would be my first. This is the first step, research, research, research....get as much information as possible. Still intrested, Talk to the wife,girfriend, family, show them videos, show them Fatality website....show them more videos and explain everything you have learned so far. Ask your kids what they think.....Mine are pretty cool as they go to the dropzone with me so they know the dangers...Call your insurance agent...yes... big responsibility.....whos going to pay the mortage, bills, and take care of your family when something does not work out as planned... still there...ok, make a commitment to learn to fly a 7 cell canopy simular or at least in size and start doing drills as you will find people have already posted in this forum to be familur with what you will need to know. You can be the greatest canopy pilot in the world but when you happen to have a 180 off heading in Norway, and you are 30 feet from the face, instinct of "Base canopy Flying and emergency drills" are the only thing that will save you from not seeing your family again. As i said earlier, It's not how good you are when things go right, It's how good you are when the shit hits the fan... Still there like me, ok go to a FJC, From what i hear and i have called all around as well as talking to a few friends in Europe, Tom's FJC is highly recomended. These are by people i trust my ass with so he must do a great course. I will be attending before i think about jumping off anything.. Think about getting your own rig. I know that some people dont think it's a great idea but i do as i would like to pack a couple hundred jobs before i would have a experianced base jumper watch me and then and then only,sign me off as knowing what i was doing.. After that , I would ask my FJC teacher what and where i should be honing my skills by his inpressions of my performance. Thats what i have learned in the past month or so reading this forum. I cant thank Tom and everyone else enough, who have helped answer my questions and help me with all the information i needed. Just my 2 cents to contribute to this forum.. All the best to all, Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

I really wish i could apply but dont know if i can get the time...I would come though just to watch and help out with ground stuff.... will though make your next one.... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Glad to see yuo back Nick!!! Hope you are feeling well....All the best Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Cool, Thanks Tom.... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Would you ever consider putting a flik w/ vtec in a gargoyle?/ I have been reading up on the troll but did not know about if it had venting. I think i would like that option. I have read you and dwains first equipment articles. They are very informative. I watched alot of video, "Your line Over vid" was...well your comment as you looked up was classic to say the least. I also watched the guy who 180'ed in the wall and rode it most of the way down and lived to jump another day. I think the venting makes a ....well ...comfort zone.... to ...well keep it on other things. Do you think this to be true? Thanks, Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

ok Tom....i have always been quick on the risers.....camera...and the board.. i hope this passes over to my base skills... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Hey Pete, glad to hear i am not the only over 40 year old who cant grow up. Just for the record, 1st skysurf jump at 38 years old....and freeflying wiih philipe Volud in early 95 at 36.... I refuse to ever grow up...... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

hey dexte, can you give me any really good reason to not go with a 2 pin container besides a velcro if you are just beggining? If i am dead set on tracking suit to wingsuit transition in base , what would hinder my progression besiides being harder to pack? Thanks bro...Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Thanks lee846, i saw your base videos and they are very cool... they inspire me....jump safe and well.... chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Thanks Ross, I was thinking along this line. As i am going to Eventually go to a wingsuit, i will first master a tracking suit. I was thinking along the lines of a pin rig like a gargoyle, as thats the way i would like to go. if anyone would differ as to getting a velcro rig , i would like to hear something a side from packing that would be why a pin rig would not be a good choice. Thanks, chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Thanks , I am of the same thinking. Nothings without someone else telling you diifferent. I agree that you , and you only should feel comfortable with your gear choice. I only posted this as a "more information" is a good thing in making good decisions. All the best, Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

I would have to say i have read it more than a few tiimes as it gives you alot of information about something that is not normal. I think that if they did do a list liike thiis iin skydiving maybe so many people would not hammer in.... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Hey guy, i hope all goes well with you and thanks for the post. I wish you all the best and health..... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Hey All, Since i enjoy reading this forum so much, i figured i would post this lingering question. If you where to look at some of the top base jumpers and see what gear they are using ,is there a reason they chose that gear? I can't compair with skydiving as in that industry there are sponsered jumpers, alot of advertising so you seem to go with what the top jumpers are using. " and i dont know if that is a great decision unless they had something to do with its design and function. "They must also know there stuff if that is the case" Also i would say how cool and state of the art it is that jumpers base there decision. And i guess what part of town has something to do with it. In base jumping, you would have to hang out on the big walls for a week to see what people are using. I never questioned if a rig i was using to skydive was going to work. If i borrowed a rig, I only would ask what size canopy, reserve and aad are iin iit and if they are in good shape. You guys dont have that luxury. You have one chute, special packing, different settings,and specific things that must tick like a clock. If my main does not open , i have a couple thousand feet to fix things.....it seems you have a half a secound or less. I think that i would be super specific about the contaiiner and gear i used. I would look at top jumpers and pick there brains on why they chose there equipment. "what container does jeb corliss use for instance"? I only mentioned him as i saw the special on tv the other night. How about anyone of you involved in this sport.."You all must have asked this same question when you started. I may be wrong but would like to hear from others. And Tom, "Thanks for all your input on this", as i have asked you about equipment a few times. The more i read and study up about this sport, the more questions i have... Thanks for the time all, Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Hey Zennie, Well put....I feel the same way... You have to work much harder at than at 25. Ii feel as if i am also kicking up a bit....My thoughts on this survey is to ask seasoned Base jumpers about how ,if and any changes they feel as they get older about base jumping. I guess to narrow it down is to say it takes allot more awareness and thought process that has to tick like a well oiled machine ,to make these split secound decisions. Its not at all like any skydiving i have done and seems as free and mind awaking as anything i have seen. Doing a 51 second flight in Italy or Neitherlands at least one time, is on my 10 things i do before i die list.... "A side from a three way with Japanese twins".... "A little Austin Powers Humor".... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Hey all, Looking to get an idea of the average age of base jumpers. I dont see many base jumpers in the 40"s range and was curious to see just how many are on the middle spectrum of life. I still skysurf, freefly and love tracking dives and are in the 40's but thats just me. I wakeboard and surf and see that at the dropzone, 40's is quiet common. But usally they are into Rw or in surfing they are longboarding or skiing they are saloming. You see Guys like Laird Hamilton destroying Big wave Surfing In his 40's so who in Base jumping, in there 40's, is tearing it up? In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

I will tell you something...i have been in unfogetable boardjump cutaways, but Nicks got more kahonies than i ever will....Just thinkiing about doing my first base is a over whelming information overload... It's whats in your head not between your legs that make you what you are... Stay strong Nick.... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

I think that thing looks like it would work well. I wonder how it would compair with the pressurised tracking suit... I remember what you said Tom about buckets...ie "skill set"... Its your skill level that will get you away from the object. I have been watching endless video of big wall stuff lately and really can see if you dont have the skill set you are not going to be around for a long time. I see that even in a wing suit, if you dont rock forward and end up head high, you will move back at a increased rate to the object. The more i see and watch, the more i see who increadibly technicnal this sport is and how much it requires a heightend sense of awareness. My hats off to all of you....... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Hey Nick,We have never met but feel as though we have. I hope you have a great recovery and get back doing what you love best. I would assume friends and base jumping. Be strong bro..... All the best Chris In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

i am surprised this post has not got allot of activity.... i watched there videos and that thing is awsome....i wonder what Tom's take on this would be??? the video is worth the download to say the least... In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

Hey Tom, I have been watching the jumps from the good stuff dvd of Dave Barlia in Baffin Island and the Snow board jumps in Norway. He seems to get great clearance from the wall. Does anyone care to comment ?/ and is the guy a top base jumper? i see him in warrem miller movies and stuff... and yes, i saw the cutaway.... does anyone else skysurf or snow board the walls? In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"

do you have a picture of one? i could put one in my backyard... launch riight into the lake.... on the serious side, did this girl use one of these to prepaiir for her jump? also Tom, if you exit unstable and are falling flat, when you start to pickup speed wouldnt you be able to get tracking as you would get more stable? i am talking about a large launch object.. In the end...the universe has a way of working itself out.... "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"