subterminal

Holly molly

Well, personally I both posted the video here, and still find it pretty cool. I've already admitted to not being one who pulls low, but I can't help but being fascinated by those who have a lot of experience and are able to conduct those kind of jumps. I remember watching a video of DW passing through the wires of an antenna in the States, flying his WS, pulling real low. DW is the most skilled and talented base jumper I ever met. Also this might differ from what some other jumpers think, but I saw him as a safe base jumper too. He was pushing the envelope, but everything was well planned and he had the skills. Watching his jumping was, and still is, an amazing thing for me. Same goes for the French Soul Flyer who flew down the hills with his wingsuit in Verbier very, very close to the ground. This is something along the same lines. An extremely talented person, who can do this and make it something great. Because it's obvious it's not a stunt, but rather a well planned flight. He was even named skydiver of the year for that jump. To me it's a great inspiration and a lot of fun to watch these videos, but I know a lot of people I wouldn't have liked to see doing the same stuff. Myself included. Base jumping is an activity with relatively small margins and taking it low doesn’t help improving these. However: from time to time someone does jumps where they’re humming it down, or does something that most of us will never experience. I wouldn’t say this is sensible, but still – for me - this is inspiring and I personally find it cool as long as every thing goes well and it’s “the right person for the job”; others might find it shocking or provocative. We’re all different, and it’s all good. I like life best when I’m laughing and inspired. Having friends like JB makes this an easy task

That's all good Gil. I understand exactly what you mean, and I do agree. When JB first showed me this clip I slapped him around the head verbaly. We just lost a dear friend due to a too late pull, though that wasn't taking it low intentionally. We both agreed that this was indeed stupid. It's no way you can say that was a safe deployment altitude, but JB is a notorious low-puller who at this jump took it as low as he could and learned a lesson. Obviously this isn't in anyway reccomended behaviour. However, when the jump was successful, JB got what he was after (and will hopefully adjust his deployment altitude accodringly) and the video turned out like it did: I think it was a beautiful jump... Maybe beautiful is a weid word to use. I'll leave it at: real cool! I'm also one who takes conservative delays most of the time. We've did a four way together a few years ago and I remember you hanging lower than me Gil I'll be in the valley from Sunday on. I hope the weather turns good and that we can hook up an do a two way and share a beer Gil. CJ =)

A beautiful low pull by Batman in the famous Swiss valley this easter. The clip is a teaser for a longer piece in memory of our late friend J.T, who is also featured in this clip. It'd be nice if someone could make it a clicky:) http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=2159 Enjoy! CJ =)

That looks fantastic :) What a great place that must be to jump... Congratulations! CJ =)

Please PM me if you would like to get in touch with a Kiwi jumper. Used to live in NZ, and did a few jumps there. To the best of my understanding tresspassing is an issue, but apart from that you are good to toss yourself off whatever you find suitable. CJ

My favourite town in Spain

Can anyone enlighten me as to what is the nearest major airport to TF? CJ

My personal best (as far as numbers go) was six in a day, of a free standing tower, about 100m tall. This was in Norway in the winter time, and when we started jumping the temperature was -20 celsius. Fresh start. The climbing was indoors, but still a ladder. The combination of climbing and packing throughout the day left my mate with tendonitis in one of his arms, and my self had to go hand-held on the last jump as I wasn't confident I would be able to pull

My surprise, I guess was mostly due to not knowing the facts you just pointed out ;) Now it makes more sence, and it is still one of those memorable jumps you don't want to repeat. Could probably do with a bit more of separation... Oh.. Here I'm rambe ling again. About time I packed slider down and went back there. At least now some snow makes the landing a tad more forgiving. Have also noticed the not too eager inflation of many a Fox that are not ventet. Especially the z-p topskin onces subterminal... Seasons greetings to all CJ =)

Technicalities aside: I used to go stowed from our local cliff, which is 63 meters to impact, and slightly taller when you give it a good run. One day when a friend and I felt particularly brave, we decided to do a two-way. He went hand held, and I stowed. To my great surprise, I found myself hanging with my feet on level with his canopy on opening. To the best of our knowledge, we exited and deployed simultaneously. (He jumped a fox 245, and I a mojo 240, both weighing more or less the same +/- 2 kg at). We found that quite interesting at the time, but of course we didn’t have any video to analyse. Now that I’m not that current, I would prefer to go hand held. Though there are some aspects that aren’t really favourable with going stowed from lower objects, I personally think it gives a lot nicer feeling having both arms free both on the exit point, and exit.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Does anyone know what the conditions in the Valley are like this time of the year? I had a quick look on the Swiss BASE homepage, but the information didn't seem to be fully updated. Is it optimistic to expect access to the exit-points in November? CJ

Any one with experience with the larger canopies on the marked now? Had and interesting talk to two excellent members of Team Bautasten, who have gone big. 293 sq ft, with a wingload of around ,5. I find this concept highly fascinating and am looking at up sizing from my old 260 to the biggest size BlackJack there is. I don't care if I'm landing backwards if I'm landing soft... In other words: I'm soft. My great question is: Weighing about 210 lbs fully equipped, how low could I go and still be comfortable. A canopy of the magnitude I am thinking of would surely take some time to fully deploy... Can I still free fall our local 63 meter cliff, or should I keep the big one for higher places. Most my jumping will be lower things and if the parachute is not fully out on landing it would be rather sad. Funny to think that I have a few tandems with canopies in this size range. Flying them on your own is a docile experince. Still. When your old and slow, it's time to adjust the speed accordingly. Any comments/thoughts (not on the being old stuff, but the bigdaddycanopies)? Cheers! CJ

For the satisfaction of anorak needs check this link: http://www.blincmagazine.com/forum/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=7&topic_id=15043&mesg_id=15043&listing_type=search CJ

I’d like some input and thoughts from other tandem instructors, as I’m quite a fresh tandem instructor myself. Two days ago, I experienced a very hard opening, on which the right riser hit me across the face, resulting in a deep cut on my chin (six stitches), and cracks in both upper front teeth, where also a small chip came off This was my fifth tandem jump of the day, and I’d been jumping the same gear on every jump. (Strong Dual Hawk, with EZ384 main) On the last two jumps the openings were hard, and on both jumps I was jumping with students about 90 kg (198lbs). With the tandem rig on my back I weigh 110 kg (242lbs) so in total we weighed around 200 kg (440lbs). Unfortunately there is no video of the jump, which could have given me an idea of what happened. We were stable during deployment, and I’m quite sure I did not look to the right. My employer wants us to hold the students head on deployment, to avoid them getting a neck injury if the canopy opens hard. This is something I’m very uncomfortable with, as I’ve heard of at least two fatalities due to students grabbing the instructors arms. I’ve done both the Vector-, and Strong-Rating within the six last months, and both urges instructors not to put their arms so that the student can grab them. I wonder if my holding the students head might be a leading factor to being hit by the riser. I believe my face would be more exposed to the right side, when holding the students head with my left hand. Very thankful for any inputs, and experience shared. CJ