base428

I don't think the forum will allow me to go back in and add "Accountant". Otherwise, I would update it. Oh well.... BASE jumpers are geeks. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

After being called "crazy" one too many times this week, I decided to find out what the heck we BASE jumpers do for a living. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Last weekend, I was told directly by a gov't baggage scanning guru that the feds are pressuring the airline industry to lower baggage weight maximums ever since that overweight US Airways jet crashed not long ago. Of course, the airlines aren't complaining too much over it. And since I travel as a BASE jumper more than a skydiver, I usually have 2 or 3 rigs, plus tons of camera gear. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm really not into paying extra $$$ to the airlines. I fly 3-4 times a year, minimum, so paying extra cash each time ain't worth it. That's why my post specified that I'm looking for a lightweight container that meets stringent airline standards. It should not exceed 62" cumulative (l+w+h) and ideally below 15 lbs empty. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Now that the good old US Government is putting the squeeze on airlines, forcing them to lower their baggage weight limits from 70 down to 50 lbs, does anyone have any suggestions on a lightweight, rugged, wheeled travel case? My Pelican 1650 cases weigh over 25 lbs to start with, so just add a rig and I'm nearing 50 lbs already. This really sucks. I just flew over Memorial Day weekend and practically had NOTHING in my Pelican case and they made me swap things around between bags because one was 58 lbs. What a joke. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm in need of an accuracy tuffet for scoring landings at Bridge Day 2003 (we're offering cash prizes this year). New, used, rented, borrowed.....we'll consider anything. Many thanks for any info you may have. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Another great Memorial Day weekend. *19-way simultaneous jump from the bridge that went flawless. *Bruce K's 300th jump 8-way. *Great people and food. For anyone who is curious about XXXXX (he pulled at 4.8 secs, hit water with mostly open canopy at 5.8 secs), he had NO injuries other than some bruising. We visited him late Monday night and he was looking great. He is a very talented jumper who simply delayed too long. Cya next year.... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

somebody should start a poll on the canopy they think is best for BASE. i always wait a year or two to buy the new stuff. by then, all the bugs are worked out. i'm not into the "crash test dummy" jumps..... i almost bought a Nova skydiving canopy, for those of you who were jumping in the early 90's. lesson learned. CYA!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Man, I can still remember Nathan's (field packed rig) jump like it was yesterday. With maybe two cells inflated and spiraling down.....straight down...at about 60 mph into the talus. The good Lord smiled down upon him that day. Let's not forget another field packed rig that was jumped in mid-October in the mid 90's. The water saved him. I think we all have interesting stories to tell about a particular day we almost bought the farm...... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

For those of you who've seen FIXED 2!, remember the "CARNAGE TIME" jumper who smacked into the antenna about 2 seconds after opening? Then he bounced off it a few times, broke some lines, ripped his canopy, and barely lived. Well, this guy just so happened to be jumping INTO the wind. He hasn't BASE'd since the accident. Have a nice day (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

http://www.ojinternational.com/video.htm (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Hey Skypuppy....I'm guessing you're not the guy in the attached photo My dribble about high-performance ZP's was mainly directed at newbies and death-seekers...... CYA! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I hate to spoil your fun with your 79 square footer, but high performance ZP's are not permitted. If you somehow make it to the exit point without us knowing and you jump, you will instantly be granted "spectator" status for the rest of the day! Bonus! 9-cell ZP's are not the right canopies for Bridge Day. Just ask the Sabre driver at BDay 2000 who broke both his femurs on the RR tracks after many line twists. Or so many others who've had massive line twists and were lucky to kick out of them. To answer your main question, you don't need BASE specific gear to jump. A 7-cell canopy works best, 9-cell ZP's are acceptable, and high-performance ZP's are death traps. A BASE container is recommended, but skydiving containers will work also. No need to turn on your CyPres at Bridge Day though...... Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Read the last issue of the CJAA's Rockhopper. This exact scenario happened to us and was written about. Luckly, we jumped and got away. Unfortunately, our ground crew got lost 30 minutes later and ended up driving right back to Deputy Dog himself. It's a long story, but we were not busted....... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm glad someone finally brought this up. I prefer to tie the slider down and will do so until I can no longer jump, unless they invent something to allow it to come off easier. Constant removal and installation of sliders greatly increases chances of rigging errors. I'd rather have to remember to tie the slider down than to properly tighten connector links, reinstall rubber bumpers and zip ties, perform line checks, etc. It's a personal choice. Nobody should be criticized for their decision to do one or the other. CYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Thanks Tom for answering this question. I don't get to this forum everyday, so others who help with questions such as this are appreciated. The 50 jump rule is something we talked about this year after analyzing the jump stats last year. I found that people with less than 15 jumps were registering for Bridge Day 2002 and we had no rules in place to deal with that. In my opinion, 15 jumps is NOT enough to make your first BASE jump, even at Bridge Day. While the current minimum established by the BASE gear manufacturers and other experienced jumpers ranges from 100-200 jumps, we realize that Bridge Day is a bit different and more forgiving to the newbie. That's why we have a 50 jump minimum. We can't afford to have a jumper with 10 jumps hooking one into the rocks in front of 100,000 people. Plus, it just makes a lot of sense for "you" as the jumper to be somewhat experienced in the art of parachuting before you make a BASE jump. As I always say...."you can't go off the ski jump until you've learned how to ski". As for renting gear, you must call companies like Vertigo BASE Outfitters quickly as their rental rigs get snatched up quick. The bottom line in BASE is that you must be trained for the jump, prepared to make the jump with the proper equipment, and willing to accept the enormous benefits and possible disasters that may occur. Hope this helps. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Some of Carl B's old videos showed jumpers using 2 PC's with round canopies over a river. I've got the footage here on VHS. Looks like early 80's stuff. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I also lark's head the rubber band to the tip of the tailgate. However, a major BASE gear manufacturer advises NOT to do this. Personally, I don't think it makes a bit of difference in the functioning of the tailgate, but it sure does keep one more rubber band from littering the talus. Actually, I think jumpers often get too focused on the insignificant little things of a packjob that don't mean didly squat when your parachute comes blazing out of the container in a violent ball of fabric and "strings"....... Cya!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Registration starts July 1st until all 400 slots are filled. Then I'll take a "waiting list" of about 40-50 more jumpers because there are always cancellations. It took about 2 weeks to sell all 400 slots last year....then we had several cancellations due to injuries and work issues, so we opened it back up for a week or so. The first day last year sold about 150-200 slots. Keep in mind that your online order position determines your jump slot. If you are one of the first 100 to register online, then you're part of the first 100 jumpers who can jump the bridge. That means you'll get off the bridge within the first 1.5 hours (weather dependent). Last year, many people got 4 jumps and one energetic jumper made 6 jumps in the 6 hour window. Your best bet is to register on July 1st.......now if I can only keep from crashing Mick's server this year. I think there were about 100-150 people all trying to register at the same time last year.....!!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Thanks Tom. Registration starts on July 1st at www.bridgeday.info. More details will be posted when available. We are working every day on some exciting new things, such as a diving board and cash prizes for an accuracy contest. Not to steal Tom or Mick's thunder, but I've also implemented a Bridge Day Forum So much work, so little time. Feel free to email me if anyone has questions. Cya! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

We'll find out on April 16th at the Bridge Day Commission meeting.... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

The official Bridge Day 2002 video is ready to ship and is only available online at www.bridgeday.info. Martini Shot Films has informed me that they are mailing out copies today for anyone who purchased a copy at Bridge Day. The official Bridge Day 2002 video was filmed and produced by Martini Shot Films, well known for their amazing Quincy 2001 and Rantoul 2002 World Freefall Convention videos. Over two action-packed hours of exits, landings, malfunctions, aerials, splash-downs into the New River, and other antics are included on the video, which is available in either NTSC or PAL formats. Martini Shot Films captured footage from a boom crane near the exit point, from beneath the New River Gorge Bridge in the girders, and from the landing zone. All these great camera angles are included on this video. If Bridge Day 2002 was your first BASE jump, or you want to see that amazing aerial you performed from multiple camera angles, then this video will be a great addition to your BASE video collection. Professionally edited and packaged by experts in aerial videography, the Official Bridge Day 2002 video is only available for online purchase through Vertical Visions (exclusive reseller). (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I just got an email from DaKines. My pants were sitting on his doorstep for the last month while he was in California. Chuck forgot some info on the package, so it was returned. The tracking #'s he previously gave me were for other customers with similar names. Either way, he says he's shutting down his company. He offered to send me the pants one more time......I relunctantly agreed. We'll see if they can get here this time......to WV, that is!!! Cya....!!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I believe you've just reaffirmed my stance on your lousy work ethics and organization. I never went to WFFC, nor did I place my order from WFFC. I ordered them via fax and was never informed that you were closed in September. Now for the really interesting part.....you now quote a FedEx tracking number for a delivery to TENNESSEE. I don't live, nor have I ever been to Tennessee. The last FedEx tracking number you gave me was to MONTANA. What the ? Repeat....I live in WV and that's where my shipping address has always been. Can one really be surprised at my displeasure with your company? If nobody provided constructive criticism about companies like yours, then more would suffer. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Tim, I'm pretty much angry at everyone.....just kidding. Actually, I'm out $236 for Rags that I may never see. It's been nearly 6 months. When I get screwed, I spread the word so that my fellow jumpers don't have to suffer like I have through the countless emails, phone calls to Hawaii, etc. Have a super day everyone!!!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.