base428

The multi-bridle attachment issue was as follows: Jumper #1's leg got tangled with Jumper #2's multi attachment point in a CReW-like fashion. Jumper #2's canopy collapses and it appeared as if all the weight of jumper #2 was hanging on Jumper #1's foot. Jumper #1 drops his line-mod toggles and clears the multi entanglement. Jumper #2 then falls about 20-30 feet down until her canopy reinflated. Both jumpers dealt with the problem very well. Congrats to both of them. I was never a big fan of the multi before this, and now several jumper's concerns regarding the "catch points" of the multi are justified. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

-836 jumps made this year (745 last year) -Jumping started at 9:00:05 am -Approx. 400 jumpers (includes staff) -Three exit points (16' diving board, traditional ramps, railing exit) -More train holds than I can remember -4 jumpers were transported to the hospital, all were released by Sunday (if not Sat night). 2 ankle breaks, 1 lower leg fracture, and 1 vertebrae injury. -All injuries were landing related. Winds were light and variable, often forcing crosswind landings. -3 "Roll Over" jumps were performed, including several from the diving board. -The BDC reports up to 200,000 spectators. -Weather was sunny and in the lower 60's. -We are working on an amazing, new exit platform for next year that would include an elevator that lifts jumpers to a platform 35' above the bridge, holding two large jumbotron screens and live camera feeds. The bottom line is that it was an amazing Bridge Day that ran smoothly and had little, if any, lines for registration. One minor problem at the Saturday night party......I had a signed contract with Red Bull that promised free Red Bull/Vodka and beer to all jumpers. The Red Bull/Vodka was never provided and the beer didn't last as long as we would have wanted. I apologize to the jumpers who missed out on this and we are working with Red Bull to see how they are going to fix this breach. Thanks to all jumpers who attended. For those of you who made your 1st BASE jump yesterday, welcome to our amazing sport. Cya next year. Check out these pics: http://www.bridgeday.info/_temp/IMG_3262a.JPG http://www.bridgeday.info/_temp/IMG_3733a.JPG http://www.bridgeday.info/_temp/IMG_3921a.JPG http://www.bridgeday.info/_temp/IMG_4136a.JPG Photos captured by Whitewater Photography (the crew in the basket) are online at http://www.leisuresportsphoto.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=search&showall=true (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Approximately 90% of all jumpers will use BASE specific gear at Bridge Day. We will only turn you away if your gear is grossly unsafe or if you are jumping a high performance canopy. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I have just spoke with Mr. Stout via telephone. Sadly, I was informed that this was the first phone call he's received from a BASE jumper regarding his son's death. Nobody has called until now. There are always two sides to a story. I don't believe we've truly heard what Wayne has to say. Trust me, you NEED to hear what he's saying because he has brought up some very interesting and enlightening points to me. He does not want the Perrine shut down, but only some simple regulation that would put information into the hands of new jumpers who want to jump the Perrine. Brian was jumping a 6'-9" bridle and 38" pilot chute, going stowed for the first time, and had only 11 jumps while attempting his first 8-way. If you don't see something wrong with that arrangement, then you'll never understand Mr. Stout's wishes to educate jumpers on proper gear configurations when jumping the Perrine. Strange things have occured after Brian's death that I was shocked to hear. For example, the burning of Brian's gear, the vague accident reports, the claims of certain people that they inspected Brian's gear when they never did, the failure of those involved to speak up, the person who sold Brian the "BASE bridle" that was only 6'-9", etc. Mr. Stout is a grieving father who wants to make sure the same mistake does not happen again. I understand his situation and will support him in any way possible. While Mr. Stout and I may disagree on a few points, as expected, I'm sure we'll find common ground in order to satisfy both sides and make BASE jumping at the Perrine safer for everyone. There is so much more to talk about. I will post a full length report soon and will discuss this issue at Bridge Day. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I cannot believe the inaccuracies in that article! Allow me to correct many of Sandy Miller's mistakes: (1) Bridge Day is not this weekend, but next. If you can't even get this right, how much of the article should we believe? (2) I am the BASE jumping coordinator for Bridge Day 2003. The State of WV and Fayette County have NO requirement to put them in my waiver. There is only one waiver that jumpers sign, and that is MY waiver that mainly protects me and my company from the frivolous lawsuits. (3) How can anyone do a "forward backflip"? I am a former high school diver, and have never heard of such a dive. (4) Based on reports from jumpers who witnessed the incident, Mr. Corcoran's "parachute did not open" because Mr. Corcoran did not decide to deploy his parachute until it was too late. That is simply pilot error...not equipment error as inferred by your article. (5) Bridge Day is only a single day event, not two days as you incorrectly wrote. (6) My waiver DOES NOT HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT JUMP EXPERIENCE, EQUIPMENT, OR SWIMMING ABILITY. Last year's waiver didn't have it, nor will this years. Where are you getting this information, Ms. Miller? However, when a jumper registers to jump, we do ask questions about equipment and jump numbers. I do not verify this information, and our onsite gear checks cannot always identify parachutes or gear that may be worn out or improperly packed. (7) Dwain Weston was not killed on a BASE jump off the Royal Gorge Bridge. Get your facts straight, Ms. Miller, when you are talking about the deceased. (8) I have no record of Mr. Paul H. Roberts attending Bridge Day 2002 or 2003. I am astounded that Ms. Miller even listened to Mr. Roberts despite the fact that he has not recently attended, and perhaps never attended a Bridge Day event. For all I know, Mr. Roberts is just a one-jump wonder.... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

There will be packing classes/lessons all day Friday at the Holiday Inn. Of course, Bridge Day is also an event where plenty of jumpers will be willing to teach/help you pack. Good luck. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Water currents at B'day last year were very bad. If you didn't have any problems with the currents last year, then this year should be easy for you. Water levels are down and currents are much tamer. Cya there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Photos of the Bridge Day LZ and river level are attached (taken today, 8 Oct 2003), if you're interested.... http://www.bridgeday.info/_temp/E12F1256a.JPG http://www.bridgeday.info/_temp/E12F1309a.JPG (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

http://www.gofastsports.com/gorgegames/index.html (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

If you've seen Harry Parker lately, please tell him to contact me ASAP at: jbell@vertical-visions.com 304-203-8500 I've already tried his email...no luck. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

At which airport will you be jumping, as there are several close by? Now you can bring your wingsuit to Moab.... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I think sliders are even worse for making noises that people can hear below. At least slider off jumps produce quick/short bursts of schwacking as opposed to the 1-2 second softer opening sounds of a slider up jump, permitting the local fuzz to zero in on your exact position. Now get crackin' on that silent canopy design! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Now if someone would please invent something to make my canopy QUIETER on opening, then I'll be set.

Paranoia will destroy ya. Your SS# only goes to the Sheriff, not the NPS. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Now that's funny....and I feel the same as you Hookitt. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Doesn't this "lowest jump" question come up about every 6 months or so? Tom is correct and based on previous posts regarding lowest jumps, the 63' D-bag that Steve B. made in the early 1990's in Ohio still stands as the lowest jump in my book. I used to jump with Steve and he gave me a copy of the video, which later ended up on my BASE video "FIXED 2!". If he had no canopy, he would have hit dirt. He had about 1 second of canopy time and actually got some foward motion to put him in the water. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I wouldn't ever consider selling my gear on Ebay, let alone buying a rig there. I hope the seller can verify the buyer's jump history...... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

It would take an act of Congress to open Bridge Day up beyond the 9am-3pm window. Trust me, I've tried. The DOH is the main issue, as they are again shutting down traffic on the bridge this year. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Yeah, Bridge Day is really about BASE jumping. The only reason I brought back "part" of the old competitions that used to take place is because many jumpers requested it. If you like to compete, there's the accuracy comp. If you don't, then just fall off the bridge and enjoy the groundrush...... cya there. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

There will probably be a few jumpers who'll dump a little higher. All the better...and safer. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

We are having a landing accuracy competition at Bridge Day 2003 complete with cash prizes and sponsor giveaways. Since we've taken out the style and opening part of the event to make it simpler, we can only score landings. We plan to only score landings that hit the accuracy pad and only if the jumper stands up the landing. This will reduce the amount of work our LZ crew has to do, plus it only scores the best of the best. My question is for everyone. What would be the best method to determine 1st thru 5th place winners if we have a tie? We are assuming that several jumpers will score a 0.0 and this would create problems in determining the winner. Any ideas? Thanks. PS. Check out the attached PDF of the diving board....more on that later. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

In my opinion, the words "economical" and "BASE" should not exist together in the same sentence. If you're not buying the best gear available, then you're that much closer to getting all busted up or killed. Good luck. You'll love the sport. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Don't forget, I AM one of the founding fathers of GB (GB #4).... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

We also call them "Crashlites". (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I still have my Cruiselite 220 tucked away in the closet. I would still jump mine......into WATER! I put a good 50-75 BASE jumps on my Cruiselite 220 before it began snivelling my into the basement and I retired it. I've also got a broken ankle from a lost toggle, rear riser landing with that canopy. Garner, I'll bring mine to Bday so you can jump it, eh? (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.