lifewithoutanet

Won't jump all over you about this... And yes, I agree with you to a point. He is, and in such, I imagine there's probably been some discussion with him and other local jumpers. Just because it's not on DZ.com doesn't mean it's not happening off the internet. On the other hand, maybe there's been no talk. Who's to say? But if it comes down to local access, don't you think it's a local issue? Who am I, you or Tree to intervene if we don't have all the facts and it's not our backyard? [Note: My point is about the heat of objects, not the well-being or preparedness of Clair. That's another subject enough other people are discussing, to which I have little to add that hasn't already been said.] -C.

Tree, I don't agree with what Jimmy is doing here, but if you haven't thought about the further-reaching consequences of calling the authorities, I think you should. First, a quick note--I'm sure this will come up: a short-reaching consequence of doing nothing on your part could mean that Clair continues on this path and gets injured or dies. That could be the cost of doing nothing, and it's not an attractive option to wait for. I'll agree with that point as a possibility, up front. But notifying the authorities? This opens quite an interesting juxtaposition. Isn't "I don't need you to protect me from myself" just the sort of thing we say to a society that doesn't understand what we do, yet you're willing to do just that because of this situation? Yes, she is a minor. And no, I don't believe her to be truly capable of understanding what she's gotten herself into. She may look "dialed-in" and be able to "stick it", but how about the emotional aspects of losing a friend to BASE? How will she react on-scene when an accident occurs? But these are our opinions of a girl we haven't met, whose parents we haven't talked to and those are the people legally/socially/morally tasked with taking care of her. We know nothing of her upbringing or family situation other than what we can choose (or not choose) to assume from the facts. Calling the authorities could get child protective services involved. Really want to stir shit up like that for a family you don't know? If you want to talk to someone, if you fear her parents really don't know what they've allowed their little girl to get into, talk to them. Inform them of the risks and consequences of BASE and let them do the parenting. While we're on the subject of 'family', there's another one you could impact here, and quite drastically. If you call the authorities, they're going to start asking questions: "What objects?" "Where?" Are you prepared to give that information? You could jeopardize the lifestyles of a lot of other locals to that area, as well. I think it's pretty clear you won't change Jimmy's mind, so if that's to happen, why don't you allow the locals to attempt to get him to stop if they see fit. And yes...the cost of doing nothing could mean Clair's death. Or she could make a few jumps, remain uninjured, and really begin to "get it" and understand just what she's gotten herself into. There's all kinds of "what if's", but involving the authorities is something for her parents to do. For what it's worth, I understand what you're trying to do, but I think you're going about it the wrong way. Agreed, but I still think there's a point where you might go too far. Cya, -C.

Who's his tailor? -C.

C'mon...what with all the charmingly large and open landing areas they have there? The cool, calm [croc-filled] waters for swooping? You're outta your mind. -C.

Letters? We don't need no stinking letters. This sounds like a job for The Savior of BASE on Public Lands. Tom, in such an emergency, shouldn't we bring Abbie back. -C. (Edit to correct the URL.)

"Might as well be a bullseye." -C.

Would that be "stills" or "stalls". -C.

I'm pretty sure it's got something to do with fatherhood, but I doubt the offspring is anything useful or pleasant. -C.

Aye, it was a pleasure. Cya, -C.

Yeah, man. I'll get it all to him. -C.

Pay? Bollucks. Hold on to your drachmas. I wouldn't dream of charging anyone. I've got the exit and landing from the bridge, plus the two way Russel and I did and one of his landings from the boat. I'll get it all to him. Also, did you get a dub of that TARD-over I got of you from the spectators' area and the Danish 3-way footage (which I kinda f'd up, but still got you opening LOW)? Can't remember, but if not, let me -C.

Yeah, there were too many Danes in the LZ. Actually, despite my confidence in gear, I was scared shitless of cutting away to the l-bars high or over land and took it too far before coming in to land. -C.

Oh, shit...what did the other two do that pissed you off so bad!?!?! -C.

The congrats will be to Russel when he lands on land. Despite the yahoos he's got helping him, it's gonna happen. -C.

As Russel's stunt-double (sounds better than "Abbie's Test Dummy"), I'm happy to say that the CHIPILS prototype didn't injure me in any way. It was jumped on Sunday, sadly after Russel had left to catch his flight home. I was D-bagged from Russel's bar to a perfect on-heading opening (thank you, Abbie, it almost made up for the 180). Inflation of the CHIPILS went flawlessly w/ the pull of a short cord which engaged a CO2 canister. From there, I cutaway the three-rings, which put me onto the lower attachment point of the custom risers--L-bars onto the main lift web, just below the mudflaps. This didn't put me in quite the reclined position we expected from testing on the zip-line in Tom's backyard last trip, though. As for the landing, I flared a bit earlier than I should have for this setup, but took the landing on the CHIPILS with my legs up and out of the way. It exploded on impact, but I didn't feel a thing. In that, it did its job. So, the CHIPILS itself will need a little more engineering, but Abbie's really onto something here. We're talking about a pressure valve of some sort so it can be a reusable system. The other factor I think we need to come back to is body-position in the harness with those lower attachment points...possibly making them even a little lower. Also, we need to figure out how to put the sidecar on for Russel's balls. Good job, Abbie. -C.

Well, it could be a chance to set some records and rumors straight as to number of jumps/injury, fatalities (like the local this weekend who assured me there'd been a fatality at a 'contest' held in TF last year), and the ever popular "parachute didn't open" theories. -C.

How about they start with a story on "The Inaccuracies of Sensationalist Journalism" first? Wankers. -C.

Be careful with how you position your hands. 'Catching' your risers can result in broken digits, etc. All the same, I do something similar, but I typically reach further back, "almost into the tray", before the packjob is out of the container. I keep my hands low, close to the riser flaps and follow them up, almost like I'm reaching for my shoulder blades. I do this quick and keep my hands low and close enough so that I'm not going to interfere with the opening. I get made fun of for this, but it works for me. It does not affect my stability. As for toggles vs. risers, I think the links and posts above are well worth reading. -C.

Hey, Abbie. How do you feel about Jaap? -C.

It's one of those inside jokes that only serves to detract from the more meaningful information distributed in this forum, but since it's one of Jaap's posts... I haven't done this, but on a recent trip, The New Savior of BASE on Public Lands found a 5lb bag of flour in the back of my car. It puzzled him, but he didn't put two and two together until I told him it was intended for him to get his Flour S. He's been pretty careful about keeping his rigs out of my hands since. The reality is I'd have a hard time doing this to someone...so much that I've decided not to. In the right situation, I'd think it was funny as hell if someone got me, but it would have to be that 'right situation'. i.e. an S over water, not a downtown B, and not my brand new/favorite rig or canopy. As for 'how', I've heard that you can distribute the flour evenly onto the bottom skin folds before you do the reduction folds to size it to the container. It results in a nice little shower on opening and your friend turning into Casper the Canopy Pilot. As I said above, I don't recommend doing this, but I've got reels of imaginary footage in my head. It's funny enough there. -C.

You'd know. I do share your sentiment on packing, though. I don't hate it, but I don't always love it (unless it involves a friend's rig and a 5 lb bag of flour). I also find that preparing for it and getting in the right mind does make packing quite a bit more enjoyable. I also find that I enjoy it more when I just slow down and allow myself to be completely patient. Now get back to work so you can get some time off to come and play with the rest of us. -C.

Everybody else bring beer. We'll supply the Abbie. -C.

When I'm old and gray, I'd prefer to be asked, "Fined?!?! You used to be fined for jumping from XXXXXXXXX?!?!?" -C.

Careful, Jen. This is Jaap's way of coming onto you. Trust me. I've seen him do this to Abbie. -C.

Remember, Jaap's in Canada and he can get away with this because there's no pesky FAA. What do you see wrong with what he's doing? -C.