Treejumps

Hi Shelly, I have also refrained from posting due to the emotions people have about this, but frankly, to answer your question "Who the fuck cares?"; I do. I live here in Twin and I bought a business when we moved here this July. Whenever anything BASE related happens, I get questions about it from my accountant, banker, other banker, insurance guy, marketing guy, dozens of vendors, lawyer, you name it, they all ask. Its bad enough to have to explain what happend and why every time there is an incident to dozens of people. It is far worse if these friends & business associates hear from other business owners (it is a VERY small community) that base jumpers are disruptive assholes. They don't care (and why should they) why people are being assholes, they just want to have their business and other patrons respected as they should be. I think they deserve that respect from everyone, and especially from jumpers travelling to TF. There is no excuse for behaving in a negative way towards these people for any reason. When and how reports of disruptive behavior are distributed to try to head off further issues can be controlled by simply not causing the problem in the first place. as mentioned there are plenty of other places and other ways to blow off steam. Bill was simply reporting the "news" of what had happened (again) at a very popular, base friendly establishment that we would like to continue to be welcomed at.

It has been confirmed with photos taken by a site seeing bystander that there WAS a pull up cord tied around this guy's PC. So there you have it folks, thats 2 people this year dead because of this technique. To the 2 "instructors" who taught this guy, and the guy in England who went in the same way, quit teaching bad tecniques. If this is the technique you were taught, STOP. This is a really stupid way to die for.

The first report from someone at the bridge (on site) had reported that the fatality yesterday was due to a pull up cord tied around the PC as a packing aid. The jumper was seen packing his pc on the bridge using this method. While it turned out that the cause was a bridle wrap, this brings up an issue that should have been put to bed nearly 6 years ago when the first fatality involving a jumper restricted PC occured at this same bridge. A clamp is one thing (you can't not notice that you left a clamp in your BOC) although I still reccomend that people learn to pack PCs without an aid. The use of a pull up cord or rubber band to assist you in a very simple task is bad ju ju, and Black Death. It is a completely inapropriate method that has killed 3 people in the last 5 years. The fatality yesterday reportedly had only been in BASE for 1-1/2 years. That means someone taught him this poor technique very recently. If you are a new jumper and someone has taught you to pack a PC with a pull up cord or rubber band you should find someone new to learn from. If you simply cannot pack a PC without restrictive devices (excluding the clamp, even though you really don't need it), stop by when you are in Twin and I'll spend as long as it takes to teach you. The reaper is always waiting. Cya

This is the second fatlity here in 6 months, both due to basic procedures (a good, solid pitch of the PC) not being followed. This skill is one of the most basic in base. You must throw the pc well enough away from you to clear the pc & bridle. After seeing thousands of live jumps over the years it is very clear that a good solid pitch is all that is required to not wrap your bridle around you. Hundreds of aerialsts doing thousands of jumps per year regularly throw their PCs while head low (completely upside down), and it is fine to do so, actually, required to do some types of aerials. A good pitch is part of aerials, and any other base jump. I'll quote Adam F's packing video from the 90's on this one: "A good solid purchase (grip) on the PC is the crux of any base jump". A solid purchase and strong pitch are the rock solid basics of base jumping (stowed). If you practice them, when the shit goes down (and it will), you have a much better chance of reacting appropriately. BSBD

It takes about 2 seconds to clear the steel at NRGB. This data has been scientifically gathered while falling through said steel many times.

Thanks for the amazing post Tina. Your strength in difficult times is a testiment to the way your father lived his life. It was an honor to meet Brain and Mike. We owe them much.

What's the weight limit on that system? We were thinking of coming to Moab for Turkey day and this sounds very inviting. Cya

Yo Joe, I have mine too. I had it laminated so that the printing would not wear off. Its always in my wallet, and has been useful in opening a few doors too. Cya

Hi Mac, I'm not sure how much anyone can change how you feel about this incident. Brian's best friend, Mike Pelkey has gone on these forums and stated that Brian and only Brian is responsible. Jean has stated that she told him not to jump, but that he ignored her request. Bridge Day does not have a currency requirement, just an experience requirementl; 50 skydives. Brain met that requirement, and according to Mike, he also spent significant time and effort (losing 80#s) to prepare for this jump. He felt the need to make this jump and probably didn't think that he would die making it. It was a significant anniversary of a special event in his life, and he chose how to celebrate it. He made that decision, and it is not yours, mine, or even his family's (though they apparently opposed it) to second guess. Bridge Day is an opportunity to jump that is available to those who meet the requirements. It is unique in that many folks who may not otherwise want to or have the opportunity to jump, can. The jump coordinator, staff, and volunteers now, or in the past have never claimed that BD jumps were safe, or that they carefully screened each jumpers skills, currency, mental stabilty, and physical capabilities. It is each jumpers personal choice to evaluate the jump, and decide for themselves if they are up to it. This is the way of base, in fact its very essence. Thank you again to Mike Pelkey for stating the obvious truth to those who seek to point fingers and place blame. Brian was a good man, he made his choice, accepted the possible outcomes, and he stepped off the platform for his own reasons. He will be remembered by all who knew and loved him for the good person that he was. "The memories of a man in his old age, are the deeds of a man in his prime" Pink Floyd BSBD

I bought one of the first canopies with the 5th line in 2000. It is a mojo 310, and has (according to Adam F.) many of the designs that went on to become an Ace, including the 5th line. I've never had any issue with it, and don't think that adding one more cascade to a bundle of 40 lines would increase your chance of a tension knot.

Thor Alex, RIP

Very cool. See you there.

Hey CHris, Jeb was asking about ESB, not WTC.

I'm not rehashing anything. Someone said there is not a rule, and I corrected it. I also donated $250.00 to the event, and spent money on radio advertising to get the word out about it. Any word on how much any of the rail jumpers put in?

There is and has always been a standing request (not a rule, or a law) that the top rail not be jumped from. I've been going to Perrine since 00', and it has always been that way. In 00' and 01', this subject came up on several occaisions, and most jumpers comply without making a big deal out of it, since it isn't a big deal. It is common sense to get along, to go along, at any legal object. Look at all of the leagl ogjects in the world and every one them have a few simple guidlines for jumping them. If a jumper cannot safely perform their jump from the sidewalk, vs the top rail, they should consider bowling. There is no added complexity to jump from the sidewalk. The only reason to jump from the rail is 1. Ego. "Look at me everyone". 2. To show everyone you are too cool to follow the only rule that applies (no one's gonna tell me what to do). Its been argued about way too much. There is no good reason to do it, and at least a few very good ones not to. "Just becasue I want to" or "I feel like it" is not a great reason, unless you are 12 years old.

Yes, It is cold and windy.

You AMERICANS expect everything fast and cheap. Congrats again on your US Citizenship. Being American has never been so cool. Cya

Anyone ever do anything in, around, or on the way to Yellowstone (from Twin)? Heading out tomorrow afternoon. Thanks.

A giant happy B-day to Joy!

Its worthless. Send it to me to do quality control studies. I'll see to it that it is properly destroyed. What size is it? I need a new 42" Its got to be in better shape than any of mine. Cya

Your friend is scared and should just ground crew for you. You should not encourage him, then you will have an extra rig to jump.

Big congrats!

Hi Gardner, Given that the new Sec. of the Interior was most recently the govenor od ID, maybe its a good time to go over the NPS's head. Go straight to the top and see if that moves things along. Cya

You want a building access rig. Velcro is the way to go. Getting all of the metal off of the rig is simple. Its the canopy you need to worry about. You can buy everything you need from paragear. Even at their prices you can all materials needed for about $150.00. Without a harness machine or zigzag, I would say don't waste your time. Even starting from scratch, making patterns and everythiong it should take no more than a few days. Have fun. Cya

The size is completely dependent on the size of your stash.