rfarris

Are you saying you have 250 to 300 jumps on the original set of Slinks on each rig? If not, how often do you replace them. Has this been tested and published in the BASE environment? And if so, why aren't they standard on rigs just like the wide risers, opposed to the mini risers, which seem to have been proven inferior? I ask this because of your disclaimer statement at the end of your post. I'm just curious. Thanks Rod

umm...nope, but I see your point and agree, ethically. chow.

I think there is a worthwhile discussion to be had here (regarding the level of experience of purchasers of rigs on e-bay....... I'm not sure which direction this topic is going, I think it's in regards to people selling BASE gear on Ebay? Or selling BASE gear over the net in general without knowing who the buyer is? And someone please clarify for me, because I've never baught new gear from a BASE manufacturer. Well, only a PC. But I bought my rig used off the internet. My question is, do the BASE manufacturers sell rigs to anyone who puts up the money? If I were to place an order for a brand new rig to one of the manufacturers via credit card, would they mail it to me no questions asked? If this is the case, then I can't see where the argument is for selling to unknown people if they can get if from the original source, brand new. Just my opinion. cya Rod

Got my patch today Joy... Thanks. Now I got to figure out where to put it. And a Merry Christmas to you and Rick too! Was also pleased to know I was the first to respond. Guess that makes me BASE patch #1 huh? Now if I can just get that dang B and E. Thanks for all you do. cya Rod

I wanted to re-respond to this question because of what I experienced last night being so fitting with it. My new answer is twice. In one night. Off the same object. I hope to never experience it again. Won't bore ya with the details, but long story short, set out to make a quick jump from a local A, was only gonna climb to 400' since it was very cold, (35 deg. is very cold in Texas), and I wanted to get up, off, and back home in 1 hour. Well to continue making this long story short, last night turned into a 3 hour evasion and escape mission. And after the first one, my dumb ass went back up the second time. I spent way more time on that tower than I wanted. And didn't get to jump. Oh, and low crawling back to the car and playing the "who's gonna leave first" game, tops it all off. I lost. In the end, I was seen. But at least not climbing or jumping. My body hurts. Have a good day. Rod

Not sure how many times in a row, not that many though. But I do back away for various reasons. You need to one night just get on the ground around the A(s), with a compass and actually stand in each sector and determine the optimal wind direction for that sector. Memorize, right it down, then, on the night you plan on jumping, log onto a weather channel and get the wind direction before you head out. This will save you many useless trips, as far as wind goes. But, sometimes you just never know until you get out to the site though. Rod

Climbing isn't really a factor for me. I kinda like it personally, but I'm still young, 37. Maybe when I'm 60 I'll start demanding elevator rides. Get to what ever altitude you are going to, however you can get there. The end result is still the same. Rod

You know, I was just thinking about this myself the other day. Why do some jumpers reach and others do not. I do it and didn't realize I was doing it. And then, when I consciously try NOT to do it, I still do. But I find I do do it more from 300' than at say 600'+. I think it's part of that-- "okay, here comes the ground, and fast... Come on risers, WHERE ARE YOU RISERS... OH SHIT..OH SHIT..anytime now risers....WHEW.. There you are!!" Amazing what can go through your head in one second. Part of the ground rush effect for me I guess. I can see where doing so can maybe lead to less than on heading openings from skewed body positions. Not sure though. Will have to do some research on it. NOT. Rod

We can learn a lot from everyone before us. Be it 1000 in 5 yrs., or 200 in 10 yrs. But I think the newbie will be more naturally prone to want to learn from the jumper with the most jumps. Probably carries over from skydiving. Then, I think they will start to seek advice from other jumpers that are making the kinds of jumps that they themselves are about to make. Now, shut up and go practice packing or something That'll cure your boredness.

I see your point, and am not disagreeing with you. the 500 jumper without a doubt.

First off, I've only been in the sport for one year this month. But out of respect, I don't see where experience has to do with anything, or jump numbers for that matter. I mean as it relates to the average jumper who jumps for the fun of it, down in their own little corner of the earth. I can't recall ever seeing anything in BASE where you had to have xx number of jumps in order to be labelled "experienced". I suspect there may be times when certain "experienced" jumpers may require you/me to have a certain "experience" level in order for you to jump with them at a certain site. And understandably so. For instance, the Cave BASE trip. I believe they require you to have 30 BASE jumps before going. Umm, the Turkey Boogie, I believe they were wanting participants to have at least 30 jumps before attending that. I personally know and jump with a person who has 1100+ BASE jumps. He won't mind me saying, most of those are from the same span. But that was his personal goal. He does not brag about it, flaunt it, or put himself in an "elite" status because of it. Do I personally think that someone with 50 jumps from 30 different objects has more experience than he? No. I may be wrong, but the 1100+ jumper will have more exposure than the 50 jump, 30 objects, jumper. Would a newbie like me be more willing to ask advice from the 1100+ jumper or the other? I think the 1100+ jumper. There is something to be said for the 1000 club. Especially those with less than 5 years in the sport. They are jumping their asses off. Whether from one or two sites, or from 30 different sites. My jumping is geared more towards the number of objects jumped, however. I could very, very easily make a jump or two every single night from one or two objects, but I don't. I have a bunch more objects to jump in the future, and I'd hate to burn myself out on one object just for the sake of logging jumps so I can meet someone elses "experience" status level. Jump when you can, have fun. Screw the jump number game. I leave for Moab this coming Thursday night. I'm so excited I'm bout to piss myself. Rod

After my wife and I divorced we went through some similar issues. I wont go into them but, to make a long story short, through several years of using that stupid divorce decree as leverage, and threats to take each other back to court over silly shit, we realized (mostly she), that our kids were getting older and were starting to be more affected by our mud slinging. My opinion on holidays, they suck. Why, because I too was the kid who got dragged around from house to house during those dreaded holidays. Believe me, it leaves a lasting scar on you. And now, my kids are doing the same thing. But my ex and I are starting to understand that and we put what our kids want before what we want. If they want to wake up christmas morning at their mom's then that's where they'll be, and vise-versa. If they want to eat thanksgiving turkey with me at my mom's house because she makes the best rolls and deviled eggs, then that's where they will eat. Don't get much easier than that. Go back an reread Phreezones reply(s). He's right on. edit: pluraled zone's reply.

Will anyone be around Moab the weekend before the big boogie? My wife and I are planning our first visit there then. Unfortunately we can't make the turkey boogie though. I'll be the only jumper. Some help with the area would be much appreciated. Thanks Rod rfarris@sbcglobal.net

HHC 2/30th infantry 3rd ID Germany HHC 3/41st infantry 2nd AD Ft. Hood Assinged to a troop replacement center in Germany during Desert Storm, getting tankers and scouts ready to deploy.

My pleasure Thanks for remembering. Spent most of my term in Europe on the border. ETS'd at Ft. Hood, recalled during Desert Storm. The best years of my life. US Army 1985-1991 19D Scouts Out!

Man, the fact that that is your fear, probably makes you the perfect father. A lot alike, you and I. My fears, what you said, and going to the grave without having lived, or doing what makes me happy. Sometimes those are in constant battle with each other. Rod

QuoteI think as he is an illusionist he will have a backup planQuote I have to agree with you on this. I remember seeing one of his street performance shows where he was levitating on the side walk. For real, he did. Don't be surprised to see him stop himself just short of the water and float there for a while, like 45 days or something. Just watch...

My highest is from 1500' off a 1900' A. Couldn't get to the top. Jumped with the hick who posted above me. Rod edit: Two completely different 1900' A's I might add.

If you decide you want to jump during this time, I can turn you on to a nice little DZ located in a historic town about 1 hour drive from Ft. Worth. Nice small friendly dz under new ownership. They have some rental gear. Awsome visuals of the town and lake from the air. PM me if you want more details. And as others may have mentioned, there is Skydive Dallas. Bigger dz, bigger planes, nice atmosphere, high volume dropzone. Will probably have the newer rental gear that you are after. Have fun in Texas..Damn, you're planning on some serious driving. That's more driving in Texas than, well, most Texans ever drive in their own state during a lifetime. Rod

Cool story for a Monday morning read over coffee. Thanks Jason Just goes to show you, some people can fall in dog shit and get up smelling like roses. Cya (but not at that A) Rod

Dude you're forking hilarious...

Well thank you. We love her....

My new baby girl, Dakota. She is a 9 week old Weimaraner. Anyone else out there with Weims?

Hell yeah, that's what I'm talking bout... let's hear some more stories like this one, where you were spotted, and how you were able to bullshit your way out of it, or didn't bullshit your way out, and you had to face the man. Were you body slammed to the ground, whipped with his night stick, sprayed with mace? Or did he say,"Cool dude" now don't do it again? Let's hear it.

I would say we had a 12-15mph tail wind that night. Rod