NickDG

I liked the old way. We just put all the dough into a cigar box under the manifest counter. At sunset the pilots and Instructors would gather and we'd divvy it up . . . NickD

Outstanding!!!! Nice job thinking it through under canopy . . . NickD

>>Agreed.

>>I'm going to star to base jump and I want to buy a new base RIG, so I want the best in the market... I want to know wich is the better container and wich is the better canopy (excellent openings is a must), for jump big walls and little buildings.

Toggle grabbing on a hard object is risky. Especially ineffectual toggle grabbing. Save it for bridges if you must do it at all. Get yourself back on heading, or pointed toward a safe landing area, using the rear risers and then fire the brakes. If you're too low at that point, I mean if the landing is imminent, just rear riser land it– that is one of the reasons we jump big canopies, so you can do that . . . If all else fails – at least try and look under control. NickD

There are four Dagger here . . . All Virgins. http://www.apexbase.com/portal/content.asp?ContentId=59 NickD

7) Go knock on Nick's door . . . NickD

>>I have found joy and happiness like I could have never imagined, and THAT is where my heart is now.

To Clarify: If you're happy with your v.1 WLOs we've included a work around in the information anyone who purchased a pair from us will soon receive. This involves some simple hand tacking that will make the first version more secure. However, we would be more happy if you agreed to the exchange. And we are sure you'll be even more satisfied with the newer version. Here's the background which led to this post and our current position with the Apex WLO v.1 Toggles: We tested the original v.1 WLO Toggles on our personal rigs for over a year in-house as well as giving them to several jumpers who willingly agreed to be official Apex test jumpers before releasing the first pair to the field late last year. Just recently, there have been two un-intentional releases. The first was over this past Memorial Day weekend. We immediately began looking at the situation and initially suspected jumper error during assembly. However, the caliber of the jumper involved made that assumption suspect. So we immediately set about looking at ways to improve the security of the control line/toggle connection while maintaining its ability to release the control line if needed. We had the letter prepared by last Friday (the 7th of July) and were in the process of compiling a list of affected customers to be notified. Then over the weekend it happened again. And this time it was also an experienced jumper who we feel did not make an error in assembly. So, in essence, we’ve been working on a solution since Memorial Day 2006 but now due to this second incident we feel we cannot wait any longer and we’re confident that a complete, and free to our customers, exchange program is warranted. Incidental and prior to any problems with the V.1 WLO Toggle we were already working on a new version because we are constantly looking for ways to improve our gear. That second version was ready prior to the initial incident and we now want the newer version in the field as soon as possible. The letter all owners should receive today will essentially say you’ll receive a pair of new V.2 WLO Toggles, at no charge, once we receive your V.1 WLO Toggles here at either our Perris or Moab shops. If you know your contact information has changed (e-mail, phone, or address) since your last contact with us please e-mail or call to update that information. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but our intention is to always provide gear you can depend on and we appreciate your co-operation in this matter. There is a copy of the letter we sent to our purchasers of V.1 WLO on our website here: http://www.apexbase.com/portal/content.asp?contentid=95 Thank You, The Apex Team E-mail: perrisATapexbase.com Phone: 951 940 1324

As one of Dan’s many sponsors we at Apex BASE would like to add our congratulations to those of others and recognize Dan on a super achievement for a good cause. Well Done . . . The Apex Team Todd, Jimmy, Marta, Nick & Everyone at Apex BASE

WLO Toggle Alert - Apex BASE . . . July 10, 2006 We have developed an updated version of our WLO Toggle we are calling V.2 WLO. We have moved the pin from the back side of the toggle to the front and re-designed the routing of the release cable. Both these changes will make the toggle/control line connection more secure. We are in the process of contacting all original purchasers of the V.1 WLO Toggle by e-mail or snail mail to arrange free replacements and this notice is to supplement that action. We are requesting the original versions not be used from this date forward and that they be returned to us for replacement. For more information please contact us via e-mail at perrisATapexbase.com (replace the “AT” with a “@”) or call us at (951) 940 – 1324. Thank you, NickD Apex BASE

We're doomed . . . If this is a microcosm of what we are - How can you argue pie slices when no freaking pie is being served up . . . ? We aren't greedy. We just want a "little more" and the understanding among all Instructors and Pilots from coast to coast that all the brothers and sisters work and get treated fairly– or none of the brothers and sisters work. Once we do that – fixing everything else will be easy. And think of the "convention" we could have once a year. There's no reason a steady and reasonably experienced AFF Instructor or Pilot should not make at least 30K over the first few years. DZOs should be made to invest in the most important thing to the sport overall– and that's their staff. Pilots and Instructors at 15 years of service should be getting 40K or more. If the DZO can't pony up than get out of the way for some businessperson or group that can. Drop zones should be run like Baseball clubs – there's the front office that shuffles the papers and signs the checks – and there's (us) the guys down on the field playing the game. It's two out in the bottom of the ninth – what do you want to do? NickD

Sorry - Everyone up-board is completely wrong. It lasts as long as it takes until your Instructor feels you're ready. NickD

I think one thing we could do right now is like a DZ has a Chief Instructor, Chief Pilot, etc, the USPA should have an Instructor Czar with the power to guide both new and old teachers in the field. If after a two year term he hasn't standardized the training, gotten rid of the bad apples, and returned a bit of respect and power to the profession, we'll get rid of him too. When a Coach gets $50 and an AFF Instructor gets $25 there is something really wrong with this sport . . . NickD

Sorry, but I didn't set out to answer your question . . . NickD

You can't see me. But I'm standing on my coffee table with a cardboard sign that’s say UNION! Pilots and Instructors are the underpaid in this sport and the reason is our own fault. There is always someone in the wings who'll do the job for peanuts, just to get the job and high time pilots and high time Instructors are what the sport needs. I peeked into a first jump course underway at a local DZ this week and the Instructor was the youngest person in the room. I listened for a few moments and could see his class wasn't paying attention – as his monotonous delivery was duly covering everything, but in route fashion, and there was no feeling . . . A lot of dealing with students, if you're paying attention, is they are all different and sometimes need unusual methods to reach them. A kid with a still wet Instructor ticket in his back pocket can't do that. And fifteen years later –when he's seen it all, and can handle it all – he's gone because now as a thirty something with a family it's time to get serious about making a living. The USPA has ripped the guts out of the Instructor corps with all the changes they've implemented in order to fix what wasn't broke in the first place. Ask someone in my generation the name of their first jump Instructor and even though it's over thirty years ago 99% percent of the time they'll not only remember him, they can still remember his voice and many of the lessons delivered. Ask a 20-year who their first jump instructor was from just six months ago and you get a blank look – The FJC has become just another hurdle to get past, like filling out the waiver . . . I know not all DZOs are doing well – but some are, and I know the above is not the case at all drop zones, but at a lot of the bigger ones it is. But until a group of Instructors (somewhere) demand a raise, and show up on a Saturday morning with picket signs instead of rigs, and their "brother" Instructors don't swoop in on their slots (and if we support the pilots and the pilots support us) we may change things. There has always been a conflict of interest between DZOs and Instructors. You can actually work for a DZO who holds no instructional ratings, but by virtue of position he out ranks you. Go to him and say the winds are too high, or this piece of gear needs replacement, or this or that person shouldn't jump, and you do it too many times, and you're going to get shown the door. And how is someone who's been an Instructor for twenty years have no rank over an Instructor who's been so rated for a month? Where are the Senior Instructors and Master Instructors? Well - the Senior Instructors are doing the bulk of the teaching these days and the Master Instructors are all doing something else, and usually and sadly, it's something off the drop zone. NickD

BASE jumper reaches his goal, then some By Will Sites Times-News writer TWIN FALLS — Veni Vidi Vici. I came, I saw, I conquered. http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2006/07/09/news_localstate/news_local_state.2.txt NickD

>>Nick, if you guys just resurrected that design and sold it as the Apex SP, I'd buy it

>>What is the best way to find other BASE jumpers in my area? Someone who would offer guidance

The Pick blew a mini-riser (Type-17) off a piece of granite in California and the slider saved him by not allowing the riser to totally depart the area. Although he did say later the last few seconds were, "Wall, Valley, Wall, Valley, Wall, Valley, Trees, Boulders . . . " NickD

Sadly, all the math they taught me went up and down, but I get what you're saying. I was thinking more about break cord issues rather than pin vs. Velcro, however there's a lot of S/L pin jumping going on around my parts. If I had to decide on one or the other - I'd say I'm not a static line fan to begin with and I miss out on the fun sometimes, but that's cool. NickD

With two previous BASE jumps you shouldn't go it alone. Do you know the local BASE crew? If not, that's your next step. And if this tower is as jumpable as it sounds then someone is already jumping it. Every object has its secrets like, "Look out for this thing here," or, "Don't ever go that way." These are things you learn from a mentor or guide. Otherwise it's like you are pioneering the site when that's already been done. Maybe a local will chime in if there are any – but "that's" the question you should have asked. NickD

It appears the story was picked up by the Associated Press. Now it'll be in every newspaper and on every news website - and guess what? Look at the headline . . . NickD

It was full of something as it used every inch of RWY. NickD

Another jumper (thanks Ken) contacted them and the Producer apologized saying he'd worked on BASE stories while in Twin Falls so he knows what BASE is. He said someone else added the "BASE jumping" reference in error. He also added that the word "base" should have been in caps as it's an acronym. NickD