badenhop

Hello, I started skydiving 22 years ago, the family knew I was "crazy". 15 years ago, some family started coming to the DZ to watch. 10 years ago, I started BASE jumping, it was back to "crazy". After a couple years, my brother got involved in ground crew, then I had my 6 year old daughter out on the big green one. When we had events there, my parents, my sister and her half dozen children all came out to watch, I even got my Dad out on the cat-walk with my own kid. My wife has been on 100 BASE trips, including one where she was the 'Ambulance' driver, (my bad). I got my Mom to do a tandem skydive for her 60th birthday, my daughter went tandem on her 13th, a nephew on his 18th. Get them involved! My family knows that BASE/skydiving is what I do for a LIVING. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Yes, a standard bridle would have slipped clean, but the multi bridle grabbed me like an octopus. I had a longer canopy extraction than normal, which put me low next to another jumper on the load. I flew over her canopy, but the octopus reached out and grabbed me, would not let go. I ditched my toggles, and untangled the beast, which was fully wrapped around both of my legs. The jumper with the multi went on about her business, and landed without incident. I was left with a decision..... and had a dry, injury free rear riser landing. 2 inch flare on my Mojo 260. Thank you Consolidated Rigging. Lisa will be throwing away the multi, and replacing with a standard bridle. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Twin Falls is a nice place to visit, I'm happy to say I will be in Shanghai this weekend, jumping the World's third tallest building, the Jin Mao Tower. After that, we'll be heading to Hong Kong, where we have another Tower lined up for October 9 and 10. Stay tuned for a full report. Harry Parker and I have assembled an international delegation of 15 jumpers from 5 countries to put on two BASE demos in Asia....... ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

The most impressive "open" container I have seen to date was being used by a Russian wingsuit BASE jumper in Norway earlier this summer. When laid out unpacked, it was just simply a flat slab of cordura, when packed, it looked like your normal pin closed BASE rig. Sorry I don't have more info, but there was a language barrier. As far as I can tell, it was Russian built. If anyone has knowledge of this rig, please elaborate. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

I had a girlfriend who after 4 years said her or parachutes. I still have my parachutes. My wife has been on a couple tandems, for fun, but she's no skydiver. My daughter went on a tandem for her 13th birthday. She had been after me for years to let her try. She went for it, with great skill, but that was that. She does have more typical teenage interests. All of my family know that what I am is a BASE jumper. Take that away, and what would I be? I'll stop jumping when I'm done. Until then, pack pack pack, jump jump jump. My wife and child were friends with some of my now deceased BASE jumping brothers and sisters. They know it is dangerous, but that I respect the danger, and jump as safely as is possible. I have a will, and life insurance. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Hello, There are actually more sites like the one mentioned, fortunately they are less commonly jumped, and even less talked about. Hope Leo doesn't find them..... Thanks for your concern regarding OUR sites. Avery ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Indeed, names need only be witheld to protect the innocent. 'Out' the selfish prick, and maybe he'll think twice. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Hello, Yes, but be aware, wet nylon, especially adjacent to the stitching does not retain the integrity of dry fabric and stitching, and is more prone to failure along stitching. I have personally seen cells fail along wet stitching. By fail I mean explode. 7 cells minus 1 cell = 6 cells! Could be worse, ie: more than one cell fails. Remember, you dry faster than you heal. Also, in regards to the water near the shore, depending on the level of the river, the area between 5-10 yards off shore is littered with ankle breaking rocks. This is the result of the pre-event clean-up crew removing them from shore. These bowling ball to grapeftuit sized rocks are left on the shore by the yearly run of the river. The clean-up crew just hucks them back into the river, where they can be hidden from the unsuspecting Bridge Day novice. Yes, it's a dirty trick, but there you are. If you are coming in fast, you would be well advised to land in deep water. Avery ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Hello, Check your email. Avery ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Hello, How about this then: A Motor Home, traveling at 20mph across the Hogg State Bridge, the vehicle has a 'pilot', the jumpers on top have to 'spot' the load. Is that a BASE jump? And from an engineers perspective: Spans have 'expansion joints', (no, not KGB at the local 420), to allow for movement, because a bridge is always moving. Tall buildings are built to move, so the exit point of the Petronas is in effect always moving. Those cheesy little antennas are swaying to and fro. Ever been on a cliff during an earthquake? The cable car moves, has a 'pilot', and has to be spotted! Ever jumped from a tree? They are moving, UP! I just love these discussions. You say tomato, I say tomato. (Don't be dissin' McConkeys, the huckster will get all worked up.) I think I'll start a thread on the proper way to fold a pilot chute. I'm sure leroydb has more questions than answers now...... I love you guys. Avery ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Hello, If said 'tethered balloon' is firmly 'fixed' @ 400', and as narcimund pointed out, the rope is an obstacle, AND i'm jumping a velcro-closed single-canopy rig, how could I log it in my 'plane' jumper book? Avery ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Hello, A 'tethered balloon' is by definition a 'fixed object', thus qualifies as a BASE jump, logged as 'other'. Avery ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

After a cursory perusal of my BASE log book, it's about even. From ALL types of objects, day and night jumps are close. Incidentally, the amount of LEGAL jumps logged is now about even with the 'maybe not so legal' ones....... ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

I agree with your intention, to teach, your method may be (IMHO) what lacked class. I agree with your sentiment on the original poster of this thread, completely inappropriate. What are we to expect from a fifty jump wonder? Perhaps he hasn't seen a friend perish, or helped recover the body...... ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Do you? Do I even need to mention....... ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

similar post here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=608028;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;guest=2133138 about "hope it's not one of my friends" some people just don't get it ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

I don't even start to think about pulling until 2000' ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Hello, ....pulling the thorn out....... I was just thinking out loud, um, or was it just thinking in cyberspace. No insult or disrespect was intended. I am sure that you will continue to see me post here, as well as on BLiNC. Avery ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

What about pussies? ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

I'm sorry to be a thorn in someone's toe, but, why is this forum here on dz.com? Shouldn't it redirect to the BASE Board? I support Mick's site, this forum seems redundant. If there was solidarity in the BASE community, we would not have to jockey around, usually having to duplicate posts. My 2 cents. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Hello, It's not that I don't understand your sentiment, it's just that I find it rather selfish. It most certainly was someone elses friend, possibly someone's son, father, lover, mate...... When ANY base jumper goes in, I am saddened. We are ALL brothers and sisters. It's a sensitive issue, please make comments with respect to the family and friends of our fallen base bro, whoever he is. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

"There's no such thing as too much gear"! I have a full quiver of choices to pick from, and each one has its own specific purpose. I believe 554 even has some of my old gear! I do not like to jump "old" gear, and when I sell used gear, I figure for the sake of the sport, it should still be airworthy. I have sent many a clapped out piece o' crap to the bottom of the bay. For me, after 100 jumps or so, it is time to replace a canopy. Containers last a bit longer, your mileage may vary. I have a couple old ('95 built) Mojo 240's, I don't jump 240's anymore, maybe I'd jump them into water, but I do prefer a 260. I have a few water rigs, depends on fresh or salt water. The salt water gear does not have a long life, so I am continually picking up old heaps that "have another one in them" for salt water. Also, I prefer to set up a rig for a specific purpose, ie: S/U, S/O, H2O, high bust factor (read: ditchable without too many tears), city street (read: I don't care if I drag it through oil and grime), etc., and then there's not having to do rigging "in the field" (see BASE death #71). Then there's pin rigs for terminal jumps, my "wingsuit only" rig, and like that. Not to mention high profile demo stuff, TEAM ILL VISION logo canopies, and novelties like just having a "Moe Viletto" built rig for the heck of it. ("Four flaps and some velcro, any color you want as long as it is black"). Also, it's been quite convenient to have gear to loan to traveling friends, for when they blow through town, and forgot to bring, and the wind is down, and the moon is up, and "here, take my best rig, let's go!" ; ) Oh, did I mention that I've got a couple things for sale just now....... They're advertized on BLiNC. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

I can't think of a reason not to, done it myself a few times. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Mick was away for a bit, on a bike ride up the coast. He's back around, I'm sure he will take care of you. I'm sorry to hear about the death of your friend. ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

Fly Free Nik ================================== I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton http://www.AveryBadenhop.com