Treejumps

At 250#, and upwards of 1:1 on my Fox 285, and only slightly better on my Mojo 310, I can standaup my landings about half of the time, but I only even try if the lz is clean and I know I have a good setup. Its just not worth the risk. Remember, you don't have to stand up, you just have to (be able) get up.

If you can't stick your head through the hole its good to go for the weekend. Seriously, if it is small (under an inch or two) and not on a load bearing seam or point, it will be ok for a weekend. It will be right at home with the new little holes all those pricker bushes at Perrine will put in your canopy. Cya

That puts you in the South!

I think that Perrine sees around 5000 jumps per year, and Kjerag probably sees a couple thousand. There might be 1000 active BASE jumpers in the world, if active menas at least 1 jump per year. 50 jumps per year is one per week and is a pretty busy base schedule. At any given time I think that there are less than 50 jumpers in the US who make 100 jumps or more per year. Anyone who is making those kinds of numbers is very active everyone in their area knows who they are. In the enitre Mid-Atlantic there are maybe 2 or 3 people who are that busy. I polled that I thought that the worldwide number is 15,000 annually.

Nice, way to go!

Well we had a great time in TF. Met some new friends and caught up with some old ones. Showed up bright and early for our 1st jump of the morning only to see Tom M. on his 4th. The weather was great, most of the time, and even then a few jumps got done by the willing. I couldn't decide whether to post anything about some of the "antics" I saw, but I couldn't help but put something up about the stark differences in the two training courses that were going on. Course one was run by Corky, a vintage Cali jumper. Our group was impressed by everything we saw Corky's group do. The students were confident and well trained, and performed many hand held jumps under supervision, eventually self jumpmastering, and ultimately doing a few stowed. This group was comprised of very experienced skydivers (actual jump numbers unknown) who all displayed terrific canopy skills with each landing well on the small beach LZ. WHile we didn't spend a lot of time with them, the instructor came off as very professional with safety as the number one concern. Corky demonstrated the attitude and demeanor of a true BASE professional in everything he did, and he and his students made our trip that much better. Thanks. The second course consisted of a certain hyper active, Dude, that was radical, check me out as I jump from the rail local. The student was a kid who was skateboarding around the bridge end with some of his high school friends, and, apparently, turned 18 that very day. Once the multiple cameras were rolling the boy did a nice running exit and landed in the water. DUDE, THAT WAS RADICAL! So easy a bag of dog food can do it. So that is what we saw, along with more jumps from the rail. Who you teach, and how you teach, and more importantly how you handle yourself has a lasting impact on the sport. The sport needs more professionalism (Corky) and less Fast Times at Ridgemont High". (Mr. Rail Jumps) Later.

A word of caution on tying the toggle with a knot. Make sure that your knot cannot slip into the keeper ring and then hang up when clearing the toggles. Depending on how and where you tie the knot you could create a hang up hazzard. I prefer the sewn loop. I find it far quicker and neater to pull the toggle off to change slider up/down. On the other hand, I do very few slider down anymore, and I don't do the line mod anyhow. The knot versus sewn loop is determined by what kind of jumping you do and your rigging preferences. YMMV

Thats a good start, but optional. Most people do route their brake line outside of the slider grommet and keeper ring. Search "Line Mod" and you will find more detail.

I think the quote was "Lets try something a little different" and it was .... different. Michel had enough of F & S (flat and stable) for the weekend and decided to try a flip. What he actually tried was a back launched backflip, which is notoriously easy to over-rotate, and boy did he launch hard. Anyone seen Michel lately? Last time I saw him in 01' he was in a small tree at the secondary landing area at Smellveggen. Maybe he will make TF next weekend.

I strongly suggest learning a new aerial trick slider up. You can really hurt yourself slider down with something that would just sting a little slider up. I know a guy who compressiona fractured a couple vertebrae by over rotating a slider down front flip (his first attempt ever). You don't have to be dead center over the water, just far enough out that a low deployment or major mal would land you wet. That way you can go slider up and still land dry even with a 90 left and a 5 sec canopy ride.

Yo, To launch stable onto your back, and then initiate a 180 degree barrel roll is actually much more difficult than a basic front or back flip. If you are comfortable with flips fron the Perrine, than this should not be too difficult. If you do stall, simply pull both knees to your chest and you will flip right over. Keep in mind that at that altitude, you will be pitching out of just about any aerial you do. If you don't feel confortable doing flips there, I would caution against starting with that move.

We'll be there in 9 days!

Congrats, and welcome to the club! 4/28, that was a clever trick.

Damn Kris, you guys got divorced. Sorry to hear that. I hope all is well. I am a base parent of a 6 month old son. I had already reeled in my jumping to a level that I consider at least as safe as skyjumping. It is a personal choice, and clearly I want all the time possible on this planet. However, everyone does what makes them comfortable, and just like jumping iteself, everyone has their own limitations. Cya.

Call Choice Hotels direct: 800.228.5150 The desk clerk told me about it whan I called to book the room. Interesting that the number is 5150, the police call number for insane person.

Just booked the Comfort for $65.00. Need a decent place since it also our 1 year wedding anniversary.

Your room, of course.

Hey there, Anyone stayed at the Red Lion in TF? Last time I was out there I stayed at the Comfort, but the Red Lion has a pretty good deal at $47.50 per night, about half the Shilo or Comfort? Suggestions or comments? Cya.

If you had waited just a little longer, Medi-care may have picked up the tab. At least you will be able to see to read your AARP magazines. Tree Team Old and Brittle

Longer risers definitely helped my VX openings. Mine are about 26".

A VX tends to be a worse opening canopy than a Xaso 27, and a velo tends to open better than both of them. If your Velo is opening poorly I would check the line set for wear, or maybe just to see if it was ever in spec. Problems happen. If you want your Xaos or VX to open better, get a dome slider for it from Mark at Skyworks. My VX opened om most of the time, but I had been bit once in a while. With the dome slider its very smooth. Have fun.

Sometimes its just random luck. I remember the old Boenish videos wathcing guys go 5+ seconds from towers slider down, and often the openings looked fine. If you get a really good nose first inflation opening, they still seem to be reasonable openings. Luck, Luck, Luck!

You are correct Bill, but unlike every group that has come before them, the Mexicans are not here to assimilate into the American way. That is why you have to choose between English and Spanish at ATMs now. They want to have our cake and eat it too. I'm all for legal immigration and agree that part of what has made America great is that we are made up of the those seeking a better life, and those willing to do soemthing to get it. I don't see the wave of Mexican illegals pouring into our country trying to follow that ocurse. As a group they are not trying to learn our language. It is damaging our schools and our country as a whole. I support legal immigration, but I demand that we require those who want the fruits of our country's labor to learn the language and to want to be an American. I do not want 2 or 3 million mexicans who flaunt our laws and want only to make America another Mexico. MexBase- Yes there are great people and places in Mexico, but as a whole, the country is a pretty big mess. Widespread coruption, crime, poverty, etc.

A friend with W--d is a friend in deed. Happy 4:20!

Ahh, 4:20, the 8th anniversary of my first jump, my brother's B-day, my friends wedding anniversary... A truly glorious day! Enjoy YOUR 4:20!