lifewithoutanet

My deepest condolences to the jumper's family and friends. -C.

I recently picked up a couple of new PCs: 46 and 48, each ZP, non-vented, to add to my 38 and 42. I really only needed the 46, but picked up both. Better to add more to the toolkit, no? When I decided on both, though, I was told the 48 probably wasn't necessary for what I was going to be doing and that with my canopy size (244/245), it would likely distort the canopy during flight. This makes sense, but at least I'll have the 48 if I ever need it, possibly for another canopy size (more on that in a moment). So, we have charts for PC size based on deployment method and altitude, but has there been any research put into canopy distortion by a PC as it applies to canopy size/wingloading? I.E. "Wingloading at X, you can expect to see marked increase in canopy distortion with a Y inch PC and higher." With that comes another question. What really factors into the distortion? For a highly loaded canopy, a larger pilot chute will wreak havoc on the system, but what is "highly loaded" in BASE? I don't think that what applies to a high-performance skydiving wing will translate linearly to BASE wingloading. But what's the delimeter? For example, if the 48 was likely too big for my 244, what would that 48 do on a 266 vs a 222 over the same pilot? Obviously, deployment should be the first consideration in choosing the appropriate sized PC. -C. Edit for clarity.

You're telling me. I nearly ate a box of kleenex when I grabbed it instead of my grilled ham and cheese sammich. -C.

Yeah. Not to be over-sensitive, but I was thinking about the same as Jaap. Wasn't sure what I was about to read on this one. Glad it wasn't so serious, but yeah...BASE has changed my perception on a few things and I almost have to remind myself how much I used to appreciate them. -C.

Hey, Chelle. I've had over 40 of 'em since last Tuesday. I'm recovering from (scheduled) reconstructive knee surgery and they helped me get through the worst. Now they help me sleep at night and since I'm back at work, help me make it through a day of moving around, sitting in uncomfortable chairs, and listening to annoying people. Listen to what others have said here about eating when you take them. You will get nauseas if you don't eat. Also--and I know I'll get flamed for saying this--think twice before you consider combining alcohol and Vicodin. I had a glass of wine a few hours between doses and it gave me the worst headache ever. I swore I'd had a few bottles of wine when I woke up. But then again, I'm just a wuss. Maybe it's fun recreationally, but when it wears off, you'll have the hangover and the pain from your tooth. As for the feeling, one doesn't make me feel too loopy. Two's a stretch and puts a nice lens on the world. Demoral now...that's the loopy juice, but they wouldn't let me take the syringes out of the hospital. Hope you feel better soon! -C.

The day I turn on another jumper, even one I detest, will never come. I know that seems like one hell of an absolute to live up to, but I just can't see myself turning another jumper in, regardless of the circumstances. I might not like someone (and in turn, may not be liked), but that's the time I just walk away and keep whatever personal emotions I have to myself. Or, maybe, in keeping with traditions, handle it inside the community. Bringing in an outside entity to handle our squabbles, however large or insignificant, is asking for the kind of trouble and regulation I hope does not come to BASE. One of the things I was expecting to hear a little more of (but damn, this has been a quiet thread) is your implied sentiment (forgive me if I'm wrong) that maybe jumping should remain illegal in some respects for a couple of reasons, none of which I care to--or have the time to--go into now. Very well put. -C.

Okay, so this is probably a tired topic, but I'd like to know what other jumpers think. It was inspired by this post: It's a two-part question. Question 1's options are 1-3. Question 2's options are 4-7. I just didn't feel like splitting it into two separate polls/threads. The poll is set to allow multiple answers. Question 1 (options 1-3): How do we, as a community, best attack the NPS' stance on jumping in the Parks? Personally, my vote goes for option 2 and here's why I think so... A counter-suit against the Park Service, stemming from the arrest and gear-siezure of a jumper who violated a standing (if unfair, unconstitutional, etc.) policy--in my opinion--already starts in defecit. A judge will see that the defendant knew beforehand that the act they committed was illegal, yet chose to do it anyway. Judges don't typically smile upon this kind of situation and there's a history with their stance on BASE jumpers that doesn't sit in our favor. Furthermore, despite the jumper's best efforts to act only on their own behalf and not speak for the community as a whole, the NPS and judge are likely to take said jumper and stereotype the rest of us based on that one case (or multiple cases over history). Grass-roots efforts such as letter-writing campaigns, the ABP (Alliance of Backcountry Parachutists) will show a more proactive stance on legalization of jumping than a reactive court battle to eliminate the charges, reclaim gear, etc. Which leads into Question 2 (options 4-7): If a jumper is caught and arrested, whether in a National Park or private land, how viciously should they fight the charges or is there a point at which it's better to take your punishment and walk quietly away? For this, I lean to 5 first, but depending on the charges...I'd have to go with 6. The problem here is once again, the jumper's actions could have far reaching implications on other jumpers, beyond simple stereotyping. The bigger the fight, the more likely a city (or county or whatever) is to enact legislation to ban fixed-object jumping and not simply rely on trespassing charges. I know this has been done before and I don't question or point at any jumpers involved. I don't know the full specifics of their case(s) and will not pass judgement. I just point this out as one of those "far reaching implications on other jumpers". I personally don't think there are right or wrong answers to this. If I did, I'd have an agenda, a soap-box and I'd have posted this in the Speaker's Forum and have pre-written flames at the ready for anyone who disagrees with me. Not the case. I want to know what other jumpers think about this, how they'd react and why they'd react in that way. -C. Edit to modify the subject line.

Huh. No shit, eh? Happy birthday, guys. -C.

You know, I've wondered about this, too. I've inspected my bridles and wondered just what the tensile strenght of those points is, but overall just trusted them rather blindly, knowing that they were designed to work, that they continue to work and that I inspect them frequently. As an aside, I'm rather paranoid about my pin-tension and keep mine not "loose" but definitely not super-tight. I also prime mine before every jump and have them checked/re-primed prior to exit. One thing I've thought about is the feasibility of routing a cutaway system of sorts that would hold the closing loop in place not by a knot and washer, but by a cutaway cable. In my two-pin rigs this would add some rigidity to the top and bottom flaps. What I'm really not sure of is the angles/corners that the cable would have to go through for the bottom flap and whether or not that would add too greatly to the pull tension if I were to cutaway my closing loops. Also, since I'm somewhat loose on my pin-tension, is it really necessary? And of course, is it adding more complexity to the system? -C.

Right! Especially when you've already got Windsock with you! -C.

That, and just watch him try and take a 5 sec delay. -C.

Might be true for one of the guys, but I seem to remember the other having many years in sport. Can't substantiate this, but I think Nick could probably confirm or deny the facts. A quick Google probably could, too. -C.

It seems that the obvious context of the post (and definitely replies) are centered around the student. But I think I'd find this thread of equal importance if I were a first-time mentor and was deciding whether or not to take on a protege. I'd have expectations of my student, for sure, but I'd have expectations of myself as well. -C.

Jaap's got plenty of extra time. Hell, it's all 'extra' now, right, Jaap? -C.

Now that is some funny shit! -C.

Stepped away from the beach long enough to find a keyboard, I see. I get your point on safety and opening performance, but I think Jaap is assuming that any adjustments made will be made with the proper knowledge and understanding needed to make any such change; not just throwing a deep brake setting in 4 inches deeper than the factory DBS or anything so drastic. -C. Edit: Nevermind. I think I misread/misinterpretted the context of your post.

Was a pleasure, Julien. Glad you could join us. -C.

Aw, hell. It was your bday?! Talked to you on Sat and you didn't mention it. Bastard. Well, happy bday, man. What's this make you now? -C.

Good post, Rhonda. Thanks. And some pretty good company in the interviews, too. I've gotta move back to Colorado... -C.

Good seeing you on Sat, man. Still in mild disbelief over the fact that you went through so much and didn't even know it for days. Your phsyical therapist at Cedar-Sinai was...well, WOWSER! I'll visit you there anytime. Meant to ask you this on Sat, but is there any concern over the strength of the steel vs the relative strength of your hip socket and other bones surrounding the steel? I mean...that looks suspiciously like a 'wrecking ball'. -C. PS Damn those drunken friends of yours!

Jaap's still having a hard time getting Abbie to sign the papers, so not until then. -C.

No worries. Wish I was drunk. If you're ever in SoCal, let me know. I think you're coming to the US sometime soon, but forget. If you end up in SoCal, let me know. -C.

The latter. I have video from the exit of a number of my jumps with the factory DBS and the new DBS. The intention is to observe whether or not I can float the exit facing the bridge, deploy and get the canopy turned around before flying under it. I wouldn't want to intentionally set myself up for an object strike (i.e. the pillars, as you say) and see if I can get away with it. -C.

Gotcha. I was more responding to the context of 621's post than to him directly, sharing my perspective and opinion as one of those guys w/ 30-40 jumps (40, to be exact...41 if not for the wind last night...damn). -C.

Okay...I get what you're saying now. More objects is definitely preferable, overall. My point is more that the S is a good place to practice the object avoidance skills that you may need on Es and Bs, specifically Moab which was what he brought up. -C.