base428

I got a call last night from a reality show headhunter. They are looking for an extreme sports person, preferably a BASE jumper, to go to Mexico (Vera Cruz) from August 4-24. All expenses paid. One contestant backed out at the last minute and they are looking for a replacement. The show is supposedly going to be on FOX and is produced by a staff member from the "Survivor" series. Sounds neat, but I can't go. If you are interested, call Monte at 866-203-2066. You must be 25-40 years old and in good physical condition. I guess this is some hardcore, extreme sports type reality show. They won't reveal much more to me at this time. Good luck. Pass this on if you want.... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

That was the long haired Blinc moderator with the rake..... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Right on Motherhucker. Your most excellent post regarding Felix was mysteriously deleted yesterday. Was Blinc really on the web in 1993? Most domains didn't even start being purchased until 1994. Big deal who was first, best, whatever. Why all the hype about BASE forums anyway? It's just a friggin' forum where a few hundred jumpers go everyday. If you don't like the payoff for running the forum, take it down bro. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Hey Mick, I don't think too many jumpers have moved from Blinc to DZ.com. I suspect that most of us read both websites. Just try not to censor the thing so much as to remove all the good posts..... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

God of the Skies story..... http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030731/od_nm/odd_britain_skydiver_dc_2 Geez, there's that "lowest ever parachute jump" claim again!!! Steve B.'s early 1990's 63' cliff jump must not count. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm not so sure that it was a good idea to hike out with all your gear 30 minutes after the jump. Regardless, NPS policies are wrong. If you all didn't know, some head honchos at the Dept. of Interior were at Bridge Day 2002 in the LZ and they may be back this year to see how our sport is progressing. At least we're making some progress in legal BASE jumping..... What a crazy sport we have. In the USA, they arrest us. In Europe and Malaysia, they want your autograph... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I've jumped w/ Felix and he's a good guy, but the facts do get twisted a bit sometimes. I saw something on TV saying his Rio Christ jump was the "lowest ever BASE jump".... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Last year, they let us run a Bridge Day ad in Parachutist. And earlier this month, due to my requests, the USPA board members voted to allow the editor of Parachutist put "Bridge Day 2003" on the event calendar. So you'll see Bridge Day 2003 in the upcoming issues of Parachutist and on the USPA website. The bottom line is our sport is rapidly changing..... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

1) Have fun. 2) If you're not scared, even on your 597th BASE jump, then you need to find a new sport. 3) It's not if, but when you get busted up in this sport. Get some good medical insurance. 4) Tell your family what you're doing. Don't tell your insurance company or your boss. 5) Get the best BASE gear on the market. You'll have no reserve. 6) Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints. 7) Respect the object and leave it in better condition when you leave. 8) Listen to the valuable advice of your BASE elders. 9) Learn from the mistakes of others. I suggest you watch "The Best & Worst of Bridge Day" video by the late Will Forshay if you can get a copy. 10) If in doubt, don't jump. The smartest BASE jumpers are those who live to jump another day. 11) Quality is always better than the quantity of jumps. 12) Travel the world, make new friends, and nurture those relationships throughout your life. My best friends do not reside in my hometown, but they are BASE jumpers who live around the world. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

The winds in that valley were notoriously bad and the structure was very old. It was nice while it lasted.... RIP (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Perhaps you should just call them yourself and ask? 916-582-4747 (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

We're finalizing our decision on who'll do the official Bridge Day 2003 video this year. We're looking for someone to do all the videoing and provide a professionally edited/packaged video for sale by the end of the year. Terms and conditions are available via email. Please let me know if you're interested. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

http://www.vertical-visions.com/17redwd.html (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

The only people who'll ask you for photo ID at the exit point will be your fellow BASE jumpers. I do, however, understand and respect a jumper's wish to not participate. Trust me, I don't want to have to deal with SSN's and ID badges either! Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I added 400 slots at about 1:58pm EST. Once a jumper fills out the form and hits ADD TO BASKET, then the inventory is immediately decremented. With everyone online at 2pm, the first 20-30 slots were probably taken in minutes...... Things are progressing smoothly..... Email me if you have questions or if you skipped a bunch of critical info during the registration process in order to get a better slot. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

The SSN is required by the State of WV. Electronic checks are just another convenience in order to pay....you can always use Mastercard/Visa. There's always someone willing to take your slot if you're paranoid. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

First off, I have no clue why I can't edit the original post in this thread, but oh well.... Anyway, here's some recent info and additions. Just today, the Bridge Day Commission halted the trampoline until further information is provided to them (last month they said they didn't care how we left the bridge). My original Bridge Day proposal mentions a diving board, so if the trampoline doesn't "fly", then we'll move onto a diving board. The commission wants some information on where a trampoline has been used before, so if you can help, it would be appreciated. Otherwise, they want to see us test the trampoline concept and send them video. They are concerned that jumpers will barely clear the edge of the bridge and then be blown into the girders below. Sounds physically impossible to me...anybody else agree? Also, in case you wondered, we're taking Visa, Mastercard, and electronic checks this year for payment. Electronic checks are simply an electronic debit of your checking account using your checking account number, routing number, etc. Thanks. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Yep, snail mail your photos in please. Emailing the photos last year was chaotic......complete with photos that had resolutions that were too low, jumpers who were holding beer cans, and photos that we had no idea who was in them. I know emailing them is easier, but snail mailing them doesn't take but a few minutes. Just write your name on the back please. Thanks. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Jumper and trade show registration starts on July 1st at 2pm EST (1900 GMT) for Bridge Day 2003. Go to www.bridgeday.info and follow the links at the top for REGISTRATION. 400 jump slots and 75 waiting list slots are available to qualified jumpers. When there are jumper cancellations, we'll take names from the waiting list and inform them via email. Last year, there were at least 30 cancellations due to work issues, skydiving accidents, and other unfortunate events. There will be no onsite registration this year. We are required to submit jumper names, date of birth, and SS# (passport # and country for non-US citizens) to the Fayette County Sheriff by September 1st, 2003 for background checks. This is to make sure "Osama bin BASE Jumper" doesn't try to pack his BASE rig with explosives. Very unlikely, but the State of West Virginia feels it's necessary. Unlike last year, they won't accept any late submissions for background checks, therefore, if you cancel your jump slot there will be a restocking fee as outlined in our refund policy. In case you didn't know, there is a lot of work in organizing an event for 400+ BASE jumpers! This year, we've got a few extras for the jumpers. We'll have a trampoline at the exit point for experienced jumpers. They can bounce their way over the side of the bridge if they so desire (contact me if you want a slot on the trampoline). We'll also have cash prizes for our accuracy contest. Hit the tuffet and win cash. In addition, there will be more packing tarps this year, energy drinks at the exit point and LZ, an amazing Saturday post-jump party (more details soon), a BASE videofest on Thursday night (Oct. 16), and a bunch of other stuff that is in the works. If you have any questions about Bridge Day, please read our FAQ. You can currently click on the REGISTRATION link at www.bridgeday.info to see what information will be required when registration opens. Finally, as jumpers secure spots online, you'll see the remaining number of jump slots until it is reaches "Waiting List Only" and eventually "Sold Out". Hope to see you there. Feel free to email me with your questions. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Thanks Bryan. I use a 0.42X for most of my jumps with the bellymount. You can always go wider, but anything larger than a 0.50X might not give you what you want. It really depends on what you're shooting...feet, face, canopy, etc. Hope that helps.....cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Yep, wouldn't it be nice to have our sport in the pockets of everyone in America? Probably won't happen, but now we know the importance and acceptance of BASE jumpers in WV. While some people don't want to admit it, Bridge Day just isn't Bridge Day without us. Don't forget Bridge Day registration July 1st, 2pm. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I don't think I've ever heard of a BASE jumper downsizing on his next BASE canopy purchase. Bigger is better.....a 225 sounds small to me. Good luck. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Just for the record, the Gargoyle owner's manual does state to leave extra bridle above the top pin. That photo should be pulled, as it may give someone the wrong impression about bridle slack. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

This Mark Sommer guy is a real gem. After I complained about "Jean's death" and that his article was quite negative, he blasted me back with a rude email. He also reported that 11 jumpers have emailed him saying his article was "well written and fair". Perhaps Mr. Sommer is on drugs? (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

That's BASE 729, who lives in Philly. He's a great guy and I'm sure he'll show you around again. You can contact him at caulfield@base729.com. If his email gets bounced this weekend, just wait a few days as he and I are moving our domains to new servers. Have fun. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.