base428

No, only registered jumpers. Last year at a BDC meeting, I told everyone that the NPS wants our info only to add to their "list" of base jumpers (link here). I told them they should have no interest in the jumper list. The NPS responded by saying they might need to see the list because of security concerns (I love how everyone uses 9/11 as an excuse!). To which I responded that the Sheriff already has that taken care of with his own background checks. The NPS refused to budge. But it really doesn't matter because I'll never give them the jumper list anyway. But who knows if the Sheriff is secretly providing the list to the NPS. The good thing is that jumpers are only background checked once and the Sheriff only gets new jumpers on the list each year. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

The situation with the NPS landing area is very dynamic right now and I'm not quite sure of the proper plan of action. I've got a few aces up my sleeve that I'll unveil at the proper time, but I'm sort of stuck in the middle of a messy situation. On one side are 450 jumpers who've paid their $75 jump fees and arranged plane tickets and time off work. On the other side is the NPS, who is raising our special use permit fees to unacceptable levels. I've explored the option of landing in the river (NPS says they control it and will arrest us). Gary Hartley, their Chief Ranger, said he'd send me the paperwork on how the NPS has control of the river, but it's been 11 days and nothing so far. Landing on the RR tracks was mentioned at the last Bridge Day Commission (BDC) meeting, but I'm sure any mass attempt to land there would be met with opposition (not that it's out of the question). Another option is that ace up the sleeve, to which we should know more shortly. Keep in mind that the BDC sets no real rules for us at Bridge Day. That job, so far, has been wrongly forced into the NPS Special Use Permit each year. If we don't get the permit, the BDC will surely implement some of the NPS's own rules. Some of those rules include things like a maximum 15 way, jumpers must attempt to deploy a parachute, and many other rules developed by NON-parachutists. Apparently, they trust me enough to organize the BASE portion of the event, but not enough to develop my own safety standards. One of the NPS's requirements for issuing a Special Use Permit is that, upon request, I must hand over a list of registered jumpers names, addresses, and birthdates. It's been a permit requirement for many years - long before I became organizer. Last year, I demanded that this item be removed from the permit requirements because the local Sheriff has all this information for his background checks. There was no need to give it to both the Sheriff and then the NPS. But the NPS refused and I was again forced to accept the permit as is in order to keep jumping. But this year is different. I have never and will never hand over any information to the NPS regardless of the requirement. The NPS can put me in jail or sue me, but they'll never get the list from me. We're being forced to pay outrageous landing zone fees and possible travel costs. As NickDG stated, the only work those rangers do is yell at jumpers and my staff members. I'm not willing to accept this and I'll fight this one all the way up to October 15th. I've filled out the NPS's Special Use Permit application and mailed in the required $100. Now, I'm waiting to see of Calvin Hite has reconsidered my request to NOT raise fees. I'll find this out as soon as I get the conditions of the permit and the fee amount. If Calvin raises the fees, then I've already got newspapers, radio, and TV ready to report on it. And as I said in the past - "it ain't gonna be pretty." (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I can't believe this hasn't been posted yet, but it appears that the NPS may be revising their 2001 Management Policies regarding BASE jumping. It appears to benefit us somewhat, but other areas are questionable. UPDATED VERSION (proposed additions are in red) 8.2.2.7 BASE Jumping BASE (Buildings, Antennae, Spans, Earth forms) jumping - also known as fixed object jumping - involves an individual wearing a parachute jumping from buildings, antennae, spans (bridges), and earth forms (cliffs). This is not an appropriate public use activity within national park areas, and is prohibited by 36 CFR 2. This public use activity may only be permitted when it has been determined to be consistent with park purposes and to not pose an excessive risk to health and safety of visitors, especially visitors who are not participating in the activity, within national park areas. This activity, if permitted, shall be managed to minimize risks to participants and bystanders, may require a permit and safety certification for each individual participant in the activity, and may have an associated recreation fee, but is otherwise prohibited by 36 CFR 2. 17(3).. Links: Yahoo News The Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Not that I would ever want to get involved in this thread, but Marcia's exact words were "Johnny Utah began teaching weeklong BASE first jump courses at the Perrine Bridge." It is factually correct - at least the way I read it. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Don't worry, Bridge Day will be around for quite some time. Maybe the NPS is pulling in rangers from other parks and using 5 rangers this year instead of 2 so they can hide at the bottom of one of the other local bridges that jumpers frequent? The day before Bridge Day 2003, the chief ranger at New River sent two plainclothes rangers dressed as fisherman to a local bridge where they waited for jumpers to leap. The rangers had fishing poles and video cameras and quickly arrested four jumpers after they landed. I can't wait to see what the public thinks of the above paragraph. And if the NPS doesn't budge on the fees, the public WILL find out very soon. It's no secret that I'm going to drag the NPS through the mud this year if fees are increased. I just hope the NPS is smart enough to back off before they get hurt. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I don't want to publically discuss some of my ideas, but I've got several interesting, effective methods in the works. I don't WANT to implement them, but I feel I HAVE to. I would hate to be the BD Organizer who allowed the fee increases to happen without protest. If the NPS is willing to keep the permit fees identical to last year, then I'll be happy to drop the whole issue. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Rhonda is correct about mailing letters, and I assumed everyone would read the attached letters and pull Calvin's mailing address from it. In case you missed it: Calvin Hite Superintendent National Park Service (NERI) PO Box 246 Glen Jean, WV 25846 I, too, have tried various methods of communication to the NPS and every one of my Congressman, Senators, and even the Governor. The most effective method is MAILING your own letter. I almost always receive replies when mailing letters, but faxing them has had a 33% reply rate so far. Just so you know, I got no sympathy from the Bridge Day Commission (BDC) at their meeting today. I was often told to simply "raise my jump ticket prices" and no one from the BDC wanted to get involved. Several BDC members rejoiced when I mentioned that Bridge Day would not exist without us (indicating they'd rather see the event go away). I asked the NPS about alternate landing areas (RR tracks, river, etc) and was told they would arrest us if we landed in the river without accepting the permit. The NPS is reportedly going to provide me paperwork that will support their right to enforce their rules over the New River. At this point in time, the NPS has no reason to reduce their fees. They are providing a service to us at a cost, but that cost is excessive. I'm submitting my initial application for the permit and if they have not reduce the price, then I'll use the media to gain support. I'm going to talk to the newspapers, radio, and TV. I've already got the local paper and a Charleston, WV talk show scheduled for interviews and further talks. It's a big mess. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Please DO NOT USE the ABP fax system. I was never contacted by the ABP regarding use of this system and I feel that the ABP and Robin Heid will only only cause further harm in the BASE community. I've just discussed the situation with the NPS earlier today and faxing them is not an appropriate method. The ABP should concentrate on their own agenda and not interfere with the progress I've made over the last 4 years. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

The NPS claims that Bridge Day costs them $18,000 each year. As far as I know, there are only three permits issued by the NPS for the event: 1) BASE jumpers LZ 2) Live TV Broadcast truck in LZ 3) Chamber of Commerce at Burnwood I'm pretty sure that we will be paying the most out of the three. But realistically, the NPS is probably only recouping $5000 max out of the $18,000. Back in 1992, Andy Calistrat set a bad precedent when he agreed to pay $10 per jumper to the local Chamber of Commerce. This has come back to haunt future organizers because the stars of the show (jumpers) are paying to jump while the spectators pay nothing. Earlier this year, I heard some rumors that they wanted to raise it to $20 (I would quit before that happens). But they did get the rappellers to start paying $10 per person starting this year. Unfortunately, despite my suggestions, the local Chamber of Commerce won't charge spectators but they're happy to charge us. I wrote them a check for $3900 last year for the 390 jumpers that showed up at BD04. If they had collected $1 per person to walk onto the bridge, they would have more than $100,000 (and it rained that day). Keep in mind that the BASE organizer (me) has to pay the $10 per jumper to the Chamber and the excessive NPS LZ fees (anywhere from $5-15 per jumper, depending on NPS travel costs). I just don't want to be the organizer who "allowed the NPS to rape us on LZ fees". (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm investigating that as well. I've got to dig through the records at the courthouse to find out who bought it last month. If you haven't heard, the land under the NRGB was sold to an unknown buyer (90 acres for $220,000) despite two separate, ignored bids from BASE jumpers (10 acres bid at $120,000 and 3 acres bid at $25,000). I'll find out who the buyer was tomorrow while I'm in Fayetteville. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

The NPS is raising our Bridge Day Special Use Permit fees over the next three years. In 2007, we'll be paying more than $2500 just to rent the LZ for six short hours, and that's not even considering the possible travel expenses (airfare, car, hotel, food) for any rangers that are brought in from other parks. Last year, we paid $660. I've asked them to reconsider the fee increases and demanded the travel expense reimbursement clause be removed. It's not gonna be pretty if the fee increases are implemented. Tomorrow, I meet with the Bridge Day Commission to discuss the situation. These fee increases will cause your Bridge Day jump slots to increase in price, in addition to causing further damage to our access fight. Other parks might use Bridge Day as a model for future access. Perhaps many of you can send an email to the Superintendent (Calvin Hite) to express your opinion on the fee increase? Calvin Hite is available at (304)465-6511, Calvin_Hite@nps.gov See the attached letters to/from the NPS. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Yep, Atair has one already and I've been talking to them a lot lately. I'm assuming they'll charge me for it, so that's why I asked here first. Maybe I'll ask Dan for a favor..... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

See the attached image showing all possible Solidworks imports. I'm mainly looking for 3D versions (I believe that includes STL, IGES, some ProE and SolidEdge extensions, etc.). Of course, standard Solidworks SLDPRT/SLDASM files would absolutely make my day, but anything is better than what I currently have. Many thanks!!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I need a ram-air parachute drawn using Solidworks. Solidworks is a 3D CAD software package and drawing a parachute can be very time consuming. I'm working on a gov't project that utilizes small parachutes to drop our payload. Any help would be appreciated. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Yeah, those handful of trips to the moon proved fruitful. It's great that the USA was first to the moon, but if you weren't involved in the Apollo program, then how can you say "we did it"? That's like a Brit saying "we" were the first to scale Everest. NASA Contributing to the Internet - Now that's one I haven't heard, but I'm sure you have a link or other data to support it? Kevlar - Dupont researcher Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar (website) NASA has done some cool stuff over the years, but life would go on without them. I'm mainly concerned with TODAY'S 16.2 billion dollar budget. Sounds to me like taxpayers are simply footing the bill for thousands of NASA jobs. What is NASA doing for me TODAY? If it doesn't benefit the average taxpayer (or even the country for that matter), then it should not be funded. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm glad they arrived safely. But NASA's 16.2 billion dollar budget this year is WAY too much for an agency that doesn't provide much for the average taxpayer. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I've hauled two Pelican 1650's all over the world, but they're probably not the best choice. The 1650's pretty much max out the airline LxWxH limitations, but they weigh 22-25 lbs empty. That doesn't leave you much, now that most airlines have a 50 lb domestic weight limit (those bastards, it used to be 70 lbs) and a 62" LxWxH limit. If I were gonna buy a new case, I'd look hard at www.stormcase.com. I work for a gov't subcontractor and we use Pelican and Storm Cases all the time. The Storm cases are far superior, especially the latching mechanisms. Also, if you want to max out the volume and still make it airline friendly, be sure to get one that is more cube shaped rather than rectangular. 30"x20"x10" = 6000 cubic inches, 60" LxWxH 20"x20"x20" = 8000 cubic inches, 60" LxWxH (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

450 jumpers maximum. Last year 390 actually showed up for the event. Approximately 25% will be making their first base jump. 12% are female. All the stats are pretty much the same as 2002, 2003, and 2004. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Every jumper will get a copy of this magazine when they show up for onsite registration. The highline has been around for a few years. It involves a line stretched from the catwalk down to the road (approximately 400' below) on the North side of the bridge. People are slowly lowered down the highline for a scenic view of the gorge. I think they charge $100. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm guessing the $50 is considered the price to apply, so I probably won't get it back. Maybe they can use it to buy some new nightvision googles or to pay for ranger OT when they stakeout the meadow? (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Bingo. A parachute is a parachute is a parachute. It doesn't really matter what you exited from. It only matters that you were IN the park under a parachute. And in some cases, like NERI, you simply have to be near the park and they'll bust ya (but that's another story for another time). Some people have emailed me saying that we shouldn't have to request a Special Use Permit in order to jump. I agree 100%. But in accordance with the 1965 Aerial Delivery Law, you have to have a permit in order to fly a parachute in the park. The bottom line is that we will eventually get these laws changed so that you don't have to file for a permit each time. Until then, the only way to jump in the park is through a permit. PS. My Yosemite Special Use Permit application and $50 check just went out in the mail yesterday. At least that's another item I can check off my list of things to do before I meet with the lawmakers. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

The Bridge Day Lodging Page might help you as well. Don't forget, you can also camp at the Holiday Inn this year ($20 a night, showers included). (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm doing some research on Special Use Permits that were issued by the NPS for parachute jumps inside a National Park. Besides the Bridge Day permit, I have some information that the following parachuting permits were issued: (1) Wright Brothers National Memorial, 2003 (2) Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (St. Louis Arch), 1999 (3) Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area (possible), 1984 (4) Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (St. Louis Arch), 1975 I believe at least one of these were for a Golden Knights skydiving demo. I also believe that all of the above jumps were skydives, not base jumps. Most of the above information was obtained from the NPS's own morning reports. Can anyone confirm that ANY of these (or other) permits were issued or legal jumps were made within the boundaries of a National Park? If so, do you have further information on the jump? Thanks. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

No, it's not a setup. I met Gerry almost 10 years ago. I just think that revealing objects in that manner doesn't coincide with traditional BASE ethics. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

You guys should be cautious of anyone who advertises their local illegal cliffs on a forum. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.