K763

Hi all- I thought I saw something about a BASE trip to Malaysia in Feb/March. I had a call from someone interested in being on the load. Can anyone involved with this contact me? Thanks, Karen BR

I could be wrong on this, but in viewing Johnny Utah's BD Safety Video, it looked like the worst of the malfunctions occurred on skydiving gear. Again, I could be wrong, but I recall seeing several skydiving canopies twirling off into the trees or into the river. Gear has come a long way since BASE first began, and in my humble opinion it's best to use the right tool for the job. I'm glad my ortho surgeon had his slotted hammer for removing my tibial nail and didn't use the ball peen hammer in the van's toolbox. With so much great BASE gear available for rent from various manufacturers, it only makes sense to me to properly equip yourself for the precise task at hand. But then, some people do this for the thrill of the risk involved, so using skydiving gear just adds to that risk/thrill factor. I'm personally glad that Kjerag, for instance, now disallows skydiving gear. The two sports have evolved into two completely separate entities, with the exception that they both use parachutes as the means to decellerate and avoid high-speed impact. K

Why the wetsuit? Because that water is friggin' COLD, that's why! Besides, I wouldn't want over 200,000 spectators to see me in my bikini. It's not that great of a view. K

Hey Kevin! I'm glad to see you post this and let the BASE community know what's happening. You've done an awesome job with the Neo, and with getting new jumpers started out, and with the exception of a few freaks that have their heads up their buttholes, you've made a lot of people really happy. I've been honored to have had the opportunity to work with you on various occasions, with the FJC in Twin Falls being one of the best I can remember! You are definitely a wonderful example of BASE jumping done right. I really loved our 2 way into the Snake, and am still sad we don't have any video. Yes, I'm buttering you up, because I still want Pimp Daddy! :) Love ya lots, Kev. Good luck with your job and the family...how many kids does Amber want? Was that a dozen or a baker's dozen? Peace, Karen

I would prefer to have helmets as "strongly recommended", with the exception being those intentionally landing in the water. I would vote to make them mandatory because some people have more balls than sense and would crack their skulls tripping up the beach on landing...but so many people have to opt out into the water, this isn't practical. Newer jumpers, especially, should be encouraged to use all available saftey gear, helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and good ankle-supporting boots. BD 2003 I did 2 intentional water landings. I was barefoot, helmetless, and wearing just a bikini with a wetsuit over, and I can't even describe the extra freedom I felt with the wind blowing in my hair and between my toes! Especially since I got to humm it (for me, that is.) I'd hate for mandatory rules to come along and ruin an otherwise amazingly fun jump. Love Bridge Day! Karen

This is an interesting thread.... Y'all know about my jellied tib/fib...when I arrived in the emergency room in my knee and elbow pads the nurse said "what were you doing, skateboarding?" Sounded good to me...so I said "yes", and she asked for details. "I was riding a rail, fell off, and hit very hard". End of story, except for my surgeon asking me if I had gotten rid of my skateboard yet. "I sure don't have a skateboard!" was my answer, and was the absolutely truth. I have medical coverage I pay for out of my own pocket each month. I also have a disability/life policy that covers me if I'm unable to work or if I die. The company that carries the disability/life is Combined Insurance. They seem to be very happy to insure parachutists. Several people here (most all are jumpers) have this coverage from Combined. I have a name and number of my local agent if anyone is interested in speaking to him. I'm covered for accidents in the U.S., and am very glad to go to Norway to jump where medical is available to everyone, including visitors. In 2002 when we had an incident at Kjerag, our whole group went to the hospital for some counseling that didn't cost us a cent. In fact, we didn't even have to fill out a single form. I guess my set-up is pretty cool: I'm covered in the US as well as abroad in countries with socialized medicine. I would suggest you contact Combined Insurance and see if they can offer you a temporary policy to cover you while you're in the United States. Here's hoping you can get coverage but never need to make a claim! Peace, K#763

It was a two years ago today.... Myself and two work buddies decided to do a New Year's jump at our favorite local Pet Rock. We arrived at about 11:30 p.m. to winds blowing a gale...no jumping in that! We open some brews and light up.... 20 mintues later B held up his hands....."look, no wind! Let's go!" M says "I've had too many beers...I'm not fit to jump." K says "I've not done a night jump before, combined with smoking...well, I'm not fit to jump either." So up goes B all by himself. Right at midnight the guns started blasting! We could hear everything from 22 plinkers to SKS's just pounding out the rounds. Where do you suppose the damn guns were pointing? You got it, right at the Rock. M and I ran for cover and dove behind a pile of boulders. I was absolutely crapping myself because it sounded like WWIII and I was a sitting duck. The rednecks kept on firing for 20 minutes, and as the shots began to die down I could actually hear individual rounds being fired. I'd hear a ricochet and flinch, and M told me "you won't hear the one that gets you". Great, that made me feel better! After the noise died down enough we started hollering up the Rock to B...who was eerily silent for a few moments...we thought maybe he took a round on the hike up, but finally he called down to us that he was fine, just laying low until it cooled down. B finally got off at about 12:30, happy as can be. This was the first time I was afraid for my life on a BASE jump when the jump wasn't the problem. I thought for sure I was going home with holes other than the ones the Goddess gave me... When I met B and M at work again I was highly amused to hear the Pet Rock being called Rockghanistan.... HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL US FREAKS! Peace, K#763

DVD please. Thanks, K PS: Is there an echo in here? I thought we all voted on dvd's back in October after BD. K

CONGRATULATIONS STEVE On your B! Way to go, and good job to Ike, also. Is Ike already BASE? Happy new year, Karen

Merry Christmas everyone! I had intended to be Scrooge this year and ignore the whole thing, and then that silly Christmas Spirit snuck up on me and blindsided me! So now I'm busy clearing off my desk so I can go shopping on Xmas Eve, and hopefully not encounter too much insanity. I hope all of you have a wonderful, safe, and exciting Christmas, and that you all get what you had on your Santa list. I know our friends in KL will be having a blast, wish I was with them! Peace, love, and sweet delays, K#763 Oh, I guess I forgot one small thing; Christmas has been cancelled. I called Santa and told him I was a very, very good girl, and he died laughing.

Hey Jimmy! Hey Marta! I was wondering if there's an update on Jim's condition. Last I heard all his surgeries were complete and he was aware enough to nod his head that he heard the well wishes that were being read to him. Any more news would be appreciated. Thanks, K#763

My answer? Get Lasik. I went from being nearly legally blind in my right eye to having 20/10 vision. It's been nearly 4 years and I'm happier than a pig in you know what. It's the best money I ever spent, and now that the procedure is so refined the cost is coming down to under $1000 for both eyes. Contacts? HA! Maybe I'll turn my brown eyes violet with non-prescription lenses, or possibly turn them red some other way, but I cannot tell you how glad I am to not have to wear lenses any more. Maybe I should ask about jumping with breast implants...do you use a sturdier bra for slider off jumps?

I am one jumper that swears by vent technology. The benefits of bottom surface inflation are irrefutable in my mind, and the snappier openings are worth the benefits gained. I personally would not jump a cliff or a building without a vented parachute.

Hi Avery and all! Avery, it's fine if you want to make some copies of the BR Packing Video to distribute to those interested in having a copy. There are some very key things missing as that video was made 9-10 years ago, MAINLY THE TAILGATE! This video will show you how to pack slider off with NO TAILGATE, and this is NOT RECOMMENDED by Basic Research. For anyone that gets a copy of this video, please remember to set your tailgate! The most logical time to do this is right after you've set your brakes...because then you're in the perfect position to pick up your tailgate lines and walk them up to the canopy. If you own BR gear and use the packing video, please use it in tandem with your Owner's Manual, which will have the details of the tailgate, the Multi, etc. Thanks, Avery. I suppose I should have a copy of that video here in the shop...hint hint hint.... c'ya! K

Best wishes and healing vibes to Jim! He is one inspirational man...so many people have been uplifted by his continued feats of daring at his amazing age of 75! Jim is a great example of how to live life fully, for sure. We always like to learn from the experiences of others in this sport, after all, it's easier to change your ways BEFORE you suffer a major trauma than it is after the fact. Keeping this in mind, I've learned at least 2 things: 1) FULL FACE HELMET WHEN CLIFF JUMPING! 2) Maybe when I turn 70 I'll give up cliffs and buildings and just have fun off bridges. Super thanks to Marta, Jimmy, Spence, Lloyd, and all the others that were so quick to help. I am so proud of everyone for keeping their heads, taking care of Jim, and having the proper emergency equipment available when and where it was needed. Talk about setting a good example! These guys have definitely done that. Best wishes to Jim and his family. Take care and get well soon! Love, K

A friend of ours once said "the downhill will be earned", it was her motto. I think people who have the drive to earn the downhill have incredible strength of character, determination, and guts. Now I'm not saying that people who take the easy way up don't have those characteristics, but I'm sure that if I was asked point blank who I respected more, it would be the people who earned the downhill. Personally, if I had a choice between climbing a ladder or taking the elevator, I'd take the elevator! If I had a choice between the helicoptor or the hike, it would depend on the cost of the heli-ride and how fat my wallet was. Typically I love the hike and would feel I missed something if I didn't have to do it to get to the top. The only time I'd look down my nose at someone using a helicopter would be if they were completely disrupting the environment and their fellows who were trying to enjoy the serenity of the landscape, and I was having to hike while they took the easy way up. Besides, I'm one of those freaks who loves biking, or hiking up a hill just to see the view. It's a great workout for my body, clears my head, and gives me a sense of accomplishment. To each his own: it takes all kinds to make a world, and there's room enough for everyone here. Peace, K

I'm giving Stein a helping hand here by posting this for him: Mexico cave jumps are the best jumps I can get. After 5 trips I can hardly wait till next time I get to go back. I would like to say thank you to all of you who have been with us on these trips. I really like to meet all the new people from around the world when I`m on my jumping trips. This time in Mexico we had Gary C. with us, he did 24 jumps! That is a record for our Norwegian Cave Expedition. We had also 6 jumpers who never have done acrobatics before, but on this trip all of them did some acrobatics like front loops, back loops, barrel rolls, linked exits etc. It a pleasure to see people grow as jumpers on these trips. I believe since you can do many jumps in a very short time, you progress very quickly as a jumper. In this trip we did total 154 jumps in 5 days of jumping, with no injuries. Gary did 7 in one day and he said it was just for you, Seven. We will go again late Feb. (Feb. 22. – March 2.). If you would like to join us on this trip, you can contact Vibeke Knutson (vibknuts@online.no) for more details. Once again thank you all for your support in Norway, Mexico, China, US, Switzerland and all around the world. Stay safe, Best regards, Stein Edvardsen

HEY Nic! I'm doing fine! My fibula refused to bridge for the first six months, and I'm not sure if it's healed now or not. I'll find out at the end of this month when I have pre-op x-rays taken. Yes, pre-op...I'm having my 14 1/4 inch titanium rod and screws removed in December. I'll be down again for a month or two while my marrow regrows, then I'll be good to go for the next 20-30 years. Coming back from a severely broken leg was quite a challenge. My first jumps back were way scarier than my original first jumps, because now I have an idea of what can go wrong and what that means on a physical level. I've been very cautious about re-injuring myself, hence I have 2 skydives and 5 BASE jumps in the year since my accident. I'd rather be safe and 100% than be jumping too soon and screw something up. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Turkey Boogie...I won't jump as much as the rest of ya, but I'm going to have a friggin' blast! C'ya! K

Nick and I will be showing up in the wee hours of Thanksgiving Day. Have no plans of where we're staying...hopefully we'll find something when we get there. How booked does everything get? Should I make reservations somewhere? This is my first trip to Moab so I don't know the ropes. Really looking forward to seeing everyone and flickin' some cliffs! Peace, K

Is it just me, or does it seem crazy to fly when you can't see? I know, let's ask Skypunk! Oh wait, we can't because he's dead. I still have some of Lee's ashes waiting for the appropriate exit. Perhaps this Turkey Boogie Justin and Mimi can bring the Tung 'N Gruv parachute...that would be sweet! Oh, flying in fog? I guess I got sidetracked somewhere.... Peace, K

Wow, you guys have some awesome stories, and they are very well written! I'm more amazed by the writing than by the stories! Ok, just kidding. We do have some very intelligent people in our ranks. I'm not one of them, but they do exist. About 14 hours from now will be the anniversary of my most surreal BASE jump, which by the way could also be posted in the bad decisions thread. Rather than re-write it, I'll just copy my entry from last year and paste it here. It wasn't previously posted on Dropzone.com, I don't think, just the BASE Board. The squeamish better sit down before continuing, and for your unprobable reading enjoyment, here goes cntl V! :) As y'all know, I went on a quest to get my BASE number last week. I got my A on Nov. 3rd thanks to Mark and Lloyd. Getting on that ladder for the climb up was the scariest thing I've done yet in BASE. Thanks to Lloyd for his patience and encouragement; I was quite the woos for about ten minutes! But once I got on the ladder and began the acsent, I was fine. The jump was sweet and the landing was perfect. On Nov. 5th Lloyd and I headed out to L.A. to meet up with the Culver City local, Shawn T, who was gracious enough to take us off his local B. Once at the top, looking over the edge, I was amazed at the different terrain below! I'm used to seeing natural elements, not asphalt, cars, buildings, people, streetlights....what a trip! Shawn went first, our wind test dummy, and did a fine job. I climbed up on the cap of the wall next, and can't even describe the feeling of standing there, ready to jump. Once off, the visuals were amazing! After a nice deployment, I was sailing off over the adjacent buildings, then turning in for final. I was too high to make the landing area, so I did a small left s-turn to bleed of some altitude, and when I came in to line back up with the boulevard, I managed to hit one of the trees lining the street. I broke the top off the tree, my canopy collapsed, and down I went. The next thing I knew, I was lying in the street on my left side, with lower right leg totally numb and at an odd angle. Shawn came running over, I wriggled out of my gear, then I saw Lloyd coming in for his landing. They fireman carried me to the bushes across the street, got the gear into the bushes, and Shawn sprinted for the car. Lloyd was busy stuffing gear into sacks, and I sat there and held my leg together. It was obviously completely snapped, as it flopped like a fish if I didn't hold it tightly. My mantra was "I can't believe I broke my leg..." So up squeals Shawn's car, and he and Lloyd loaded me into the front seat, the gear in the trunk, and we were out of there! No ambulance, no police, a clean getaway! Next I was on my cell phone to call my BASE partner to let her know I got my B, and got something else as well. "By the way, do you know the nearest hospital?" After a call to 911 for directions, we discovered we were less than 2 blocks from the nearest emergency room. Getting out of the car was a little tricky, but not as bad as you'd imagine. Remember, I was still completely numb; shock is a wonderful thing. In the ER, the nurse asked me, "what were you doing, skateboarding?" Sounded good to me, so I went with it. After X-rays, traction, and a shot of morphine, the doctor told me surgery would be required as my tibia was broken in 3 places and the fibula in 1. I got admitted, moved upstairs, and began the wait for surgery. It was quite a strange experience, lying there in a hospital bed with my leg in pieces. I have never had a broken bone, nor surgery, but I was very anxious to get into the operating room so they could put Humpty Dumpty back together again. My surgery was on Thursday the 7th, and I was released on Saturday the 9th. THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR THEIR CARE AND SUPPORT: Lloyd, Shawn, CJ and Bethany, Emily and Luigi, Karin, Dwain, and JJ, and above all, Anne and Rob. Thanks to D-Dog for offering to help with my dogs, and thanks to Chip for taking them in for the duration. I am blessed to have wonderful, caring, and supportive friends that are absolultely there when they are needed the most. And the moral of this story is: Karen is going to become the Mistress of SINK. I'll be off my leg for 2-3 months, and full healing will take 6 months to a year. I plan to be up and jumping in time to get current for next year's Norway Expedition, which is 9 months away. So that's what I've been up to! And how have y'all been?

DVD please! Thanks, Karen

Hi All- Yes, this jump was made by Tim Rigby using Basic Research gear. Todd Shoebotham and Harry O'Connor were both on the set. Harry was technical director for the BASE jump portion of the stunt with Todd assisting, and both Todd and Harry got bit parts as Highway Patrolmen and were dressed up accordingly...I never thought I'd like a guy in a cop uniform, but Todd looked great! :) The stunt was absolutely fabulous! Tim did an awesome job, as always, and he completely deserved the award he got for it. I watched the movie simply to see the stunt...and if you look closely you'll see Tim is quite a bit leaner built than Van Disel...no question it wasn't Van Disel jumping! As far as I can tell, if you're making a movie and have money, you can get permission to do just about anything you want. That's entertainment! Be safe, have fun, and soft landings! Karen BR

Hi All! I was watching from the top on the "carnage 9-way" and saw one jumper's foot entangled with the multi lines of the parachute immediately below him. He kicked and kicked and finally freed his foot. I did not recall seeing him having to use his hand to clear the entanglement; I saw him kick it off, but I was watching the foot and the lines, not the hands. Basic Research has stated from the onset of the Multi Bridle Attachment that entanglement issues are increased with the addition of this feature on your canopy. It typically wouldn't be a problem because we try to achieve vertical separation during deployment, but in this case sufficient separation was not reached, and the foot stuck right in the thick of the Multi lines. My comment was "well, there is one good reason to not have Multi..." I've only been around a couple of years, but have seen hundreds of jumps from the top, and have never seen this occur before. The only other problem I know of with the multi was a jumper that had too large of bites on the multi stows in the pack job, which then caused a deployment hesitation. For those of you asking about Multi problems, these are the only two that I know of. The solutions are simple: If you have a FOX or FLiK equipped with multi, and you're planning a big way jump, it might be in your best interest to disconnect the Multi Lines from their rings and attach your bridle to the front center cell bridle attachment ring. This removes any possibility of Multi line entanglement in case your deployment altitudes get jacked up for any reason. When using your Multi, make sure to use half a black band for each stow, using 4 total, and make sure that the bites on the Multi sheath are less than half an inch. The stows are there to keep the lines in the proper place in the rig, they are NOT there to stage the deployment! You can even S-fold the sheath in the top of the rig and not even use the stows, if you have a mind to. I'm guessing that the Multi feature has peformed perfectly on thousands of jumps, with only 2 problems reported to date, with no injuries involved. Good job on the jumpers keeping their heads, clearing the problem, and landing safely. That must have been a heart-pounder for the two of them! Bridge Day 2004 was awesome, the jumps were OH! so sweet, and I can't wait for next year. Thanks to Jason and Jennifer and all the staff! Bridge Day is an absolute blast, and if you haven't been to one, you better get there next year! Be safe, have fun, and soft landings to all! Peace, Karen BR

I've had Rob on the brain a lot lately myself, and now I know why. I didn't realize it was the anniversary of his last earthly flight, at least not consciously.... I was so fortunate to see Rob so often at the Perris DZ, and when I saw him in Norway last year, the first thing he told me that when he arrived in Norway he realized he'd come home. I'm glad I got to see him there, loving life in the Lysefjord. I found this really cool superimposed picture of Rob...I hope you all enjoy it. Peace, love and joy, (sounds like Rob, doesn't it?) K BASE763