Bigwallmaster

I'd much rather that I pay for my own rescue and health care, and that I get to decide what I do that might require them. Any time you ask society to pay your bills, you give society the right to stick it's nose into your business. I'd rather pay my own bills and have society keep it's nose out. --------------------------------------------------------- This is true. A very strong point.

Mark Sinnet started that big wave of climbers with The Great and Secret Show but even then a few other groops had been up there. The best pics I found were in Climbing several years earlier from a photographer that went up that way. --------------------------------------------------------- Yep. And I think Sylvester's jump was inspired by Charlie Porter, who soloed Asgard in either 1972 or 1974 (?). The story goes that upon finishing the route, Porter couldn't return to his camp on the talus below because Polar Bears were there waiting to eat him. So he chilled out in a hammock for a few days until they bailed. I've never confirmed if that is true though. Anyhow, I remember reading that at that time Charlie's solo of Asgard was one of. . . . .if not the most. . . . . .outrageous solo ascent to go down in those days. Anywhere. In fact I believe that kinda stood in the climbing community until Mugs Stump soloed the Cassin Ridge on Denali in 15 hours in 1990, or maybe Messner's solo of the North Ridge of Everest oxygenless in 78'. It's hard to imagine heading up to Baffin way back then, soloing stuff. I think Sylvester's jump off Asgard in 1976 is pretty fucking cool too! So was Rick or Will Ox the first to jump in Baffin?

Yeah I'm with ya. Being a climber I've been battered by friends and family the past couple weeks. The whole thing is silly. Not to mention I've heard many reports of how those guys were experienced, one of them having spent time on McKinley etc. I have come to find out that two of those guys had a lot of "guided" experience. As in they have been on multiple guided expeditions. That doesn't count for shit in my opinion. That would be like me saying I'm an experienced BASE jumper, when in reality all of my 6 BASE jumps have occured off of Spans under the watchful eye of a mentor. The problem is. . . . .as NickDG related to. . . .that the media always gets the story wrong.Whether it's BASE, or skydiving, or climbing. They would love us to think that these guys were world class mountain climbers that got into trouble on Mt. Hood of all places, just so they can say "See! Mt. climbing is too dangerous. Even for the 'experienced' climbers! And it's a terrible burden on the taxpayers when something goes wrong." The fact is the media fucked this whole story and got alot of the facts wrong. Sound familiar? Those guys were not the deeply experienced climbers they were made out to be. At the very least not prepared for the task they were attempting with the weather window they had. My opinion. I won't get into the specifics of why I think that. But now, just as in BASE, the media will run stories of how "extreme" sports are selfish and a burden to society, instead of telling the whole story. Nick's title for this thread is well suited. Cheers, JP

As far as I know, you were the first to get up there. --------------------------------------------- What about the old climber/stunt man Rick Sylvester. . . . .didn't he do a BASE stunt for a Bond film up in Baffin many years ago?

There. I managed to insult an individual in the US and an entire species of sub-human cock-gobblers in one sentence. --------------------------------------------------------- Damn that's good shit! Cheers, JP

Apparently this would have been his second BASE jump. His first was a hand held off the same spot. When questioned about it, the two other hungarians with him got all defensive and adopted a "mind your own business" attitude... His two buddies must be a bit dodgy to go and dispatch him off a rock on his first jumps ever... That's just stupid! ----------------------------------------------------------- If this is factual then I fully agree. Seems like a no brainer. There's no way in hell I would jump that site. The question is: Why are some inexperienced jumpers making such poor decisions? Is it being driven by more expienced jumpers instilling false confidence in these jumpers? Or is it just an outright disconnect with good information? I know my closest friend in BASE who has something over 200 or so jumps, would never assist me in jumping from anything other than a bridge or other very beginner level object at this point given my very limited experience. With the constant internet and/or word of mouth discussions about the "Recipe for learning to BASE" as safely as possible, where is this disconnect coming from? -------------------------------------------------------- Just got other info the thread about the decease being very experienced. Sorry about that. Drugs.

he he.

I've never jumped a 'B'. But in my mind most 'B' jumps are some of the most technical there are, so it seems landing on a snow covered ground would only add unecessary risk into the equation. I imagine it's hard enough to land without hitting cars, curbs, planters, etc. without having snow to deal with. But. . . . .I guess if you're hungry for a jump you gotta do what ya gotta do.

Ha ha. None of that kind of snow for me thanks. This topic stems from a story I overheard and the guy talked of no outs with only one potential landing area with lots of snow on the ground. Jumping a 'B' in winter conditions is something I had never thought of before. Made me curious about whether or not it is commonplace for those of you living in cold weather cities to jump with lots of snow present. Cheers, JP

Anyone ever jump a 'B' in snowy conditions? Just curious. . . . I overheard a conversation recently at the DZ that doesn't add up. Cheers, JP

The Multi was designed to prevent center-cell stripping -------------------------------------------------------- What is center cell stripping? JP

Cool. I know Ouray SAR also offers a pretty good high angle rescue course out in Ouray, CO. in case anyone can't make this course. I think they offer it once in the spring and once in the fall. Cheers, JP

sick. that pretty much sums it up.

I hear what you're saying man. I think the whole "2 hour drive comment" though is what made me get the vibe of laziness and lack of motivation to some degree. . . . .Believe me I should not be one to criticize anyone. I've got my handful of BASE jumps (all from bridges) and I could have definately gone after more jumps if I had the proper motivation. But right now I don't I am more focused on a big climb up Denali next year. It's a big trip. AK is a long way from California. A trip like this requires a great deal of training and planning. Kind of like BASE does if you're going to really go after it. My reason for harping on Andrew a bit was meant to be constructive. For alot of us, BASE is about timing. Those that really want it make the time. After reading your comments, sounds like Andrew is definately on the right track. But hopefully a 2 hour car ride won't stand in the way with making it happen. If I offended Andrew I apologize. Cheers, JP

a plane ticket to TF can't be that much if you don't feel like driving there. . . . .BASE is not free man. If you're not willing to put in the money or set aside the time necessary to get er done, then perhaps you need to reconsider. You're going to need to commit alot of time to this sport if you want to do it as safely as possible. I can tell you I'd have plenty more BASE jumps under my belt if I was willing to commit the time required to the sport. But right now, I've got other stuff I'm more interested in pursuing. Fortunately, BASE is going nowhere. Maybe you need to remind yourself of that. Cheers, JP

N/A

Hi. I am taking a class at Stanford University October 1-6. I plan on jumping both the weekend before and the weekend following the course. Which of the dropzones in Nor Cal is closest to Stanford? Cheers, JP

Tom's pendulator helped me quite a bit. Yeah definately helped me feel good about staying head high. Scary? Not really. Rigging the damn thing in that tree was kinda a pain in the ass. And that climbing harness has alot potential for crushing a nut after the rope comes taught. Now that's true fear!

that is a pretty sick building dude!

Tom, I think I jumped one of these rigs when I was up there right? (Navy blue with Silver trim) That said, I can honestly say I am looking to buy a rig like this for the reasons you listed above Tom. I felt I had an easier go at packing your rig; I felt like there was less fussing with the bridle and pin tension than when I packed DP rigs. I'm with ya; if Apex just re-released that same rig to market then I'm in for sure. Unless of course you're willing to sell me one of your Tom. Cheers, JP

First off, there's got to be some locals within a couple hours from there. Don't do this jump without a more experienced jumper's help. At my current level (which is very low!!) I wouldn't jump this object without more experience under my belt. And when I did decide to do it, I would wait until someone with alot more experience than I could help me evaluate whether I was ready for this type of object. . . . .Perhaps a few more jumps from a bridge so you can work on object avoidance drills etc. might be a good idea. It would be good (as mentioned above) to know what type of objects your other jumps are from. I'm most likely out of line here given my level of experience, but these are some of the things I have running through my head from reading the thoughts and opinions of the veterans on this site. . . . A few questions: If you do decide to go through with this will you be jumping the same canopy that you used on your previous 2 BASE jumps or is it borrowed gear? What's your body weight? Specifically, what size canopy/type is it? Is the DBS set appropriately? Why wouldn't you logically wait until someone more experienced comes out there to check out the object with you? . . . .Skydiving experience is nice and all, but this is a whole different thing dude. Good luck. Cheers, JP

Anyone know what's up with Apex and when they'll finally launch their single pin container? Presuming they already haven't; according to their website it's still in development. Cheers, JP

this topic was about base stereotypes, not legitimizing my flying. ---------------------------------------------------------- Oh snap!

Bro, You're way out of line. Yes Aussies are stereotyped for going hard and pushing it, but your statement is neither grounded or logical. If you were trying to make yourself look like an ass, then congratulations on your success. JP

Kid, Take your bullshit somewhere else.