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TomAiello

Jumping Site Guidelines, by Location

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I'm creating this thread as a sticky for site specific guidelines. I'm going to try to get Sangiro to move these up into the headers for the forum pages, but until then, I'll leave them in this thread.

If you have a set of guidelines for any specific site that you'd like added to this thread, please PM me, and I'll unlock it for you to add your post to, then lock it again.

If you are planning a visit to any site listed here, please read and abide by the guidelines for the site. These guidelines are generally created by local jumpers, working with local authorities, to promote safety and maintain jumper access to sites. Please respect the hard work that these jumpers have done for the greater BASE community by following the (usually very simple) guidelines outlined.

Thanks!
-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Italian Terminal Wall:
originally posted by UncleCharlie95, on 26 September 2005, here.

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For those of you who haven't been to the Italian Wall there is a green metal tower close to the exit point.

On this tower the rules for jumping the wall are written in 4 different languages. English, French, German and Italian.

It seems in recent times visiting jumpers are losing the ability to read (you have to walk 1/2 a metre around the tower to read the English version):

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RULES FOR AUTOSETTLEMENT FOR THE SAFE PRACTICE OF BASE JUMPING ON THE TERRITORY OF THE PROVINCE OF TRENTO

1. Be the holder of a sport skydiving licence and have done at least 300 skydives, of which at least 100 in the latest 12 months, if student. It must be considered “student” whoever jumper has not yet done at least 15 BASE jumps under the supervision of an acknowledged BASE jump instructor (*).

2. Access to BASE sites of Province of Trento having done at least 50 BASE jumps with the exception of MB where it is enough to have done 15 BASE jumps.

3. Use exclusively equipment and material SPECIFIC for BASE jumping. Do not use sport skydiving equipment, original or modified.

4. Do not jump in case of adverse meteo conditions, wind magnitude greater than 2 m/sec or insufficient visibility.

5. Always do a check-in - check-out procedure with ground crew or with other equivalent reference.

6. Follow strictly times and procedures established for the particular site, also with reference to equipment in use. For jumps from MB they are recommended the following times and procedures for freefall: not less than 7 and not more 8 seconds of vertical freefall in box position, or not less than 7 seconds and not more than 12 seconds for the jumpers capable of doing an EFFECTIVE track (at least to pass over the talus). BASE jumpers equipped with single canopy rigs shall have to do an effective track in order to pass over the talus at the base of the “Vertigine” wall.

7. Do not jump after ephemeris (sunset).

8. Once on the exit, move with extreme caution in order to avoid fall of stones.

9. For possible rescue calls, call 118.

10. In case or helicopter rescue, the canopy, if possible, shall be cut away and discarded or folded and disposed in order not to be affected by turbulence caused by helicopter rotors, avoiding so a dangerous source of danger for both the possible dragging of the injured jumper and the helicopter.


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The tower also carries the names of the people who have lost their lives jumping at MB. The site is visited by much less people than the Norwegian Fjords but there have still been 6 fatalities in the past 5 years.

Please read: http://hometown.aol.com/base194/myhomepage/base_fatality_list

Numbers 43, 44, 48, 58, 73, 86. Low experience level seems to have played a factor in 5 of these incidents.

Take care and respect the environment, avoid leaving litter.

Leave your car at the parking area just after SG. Do NOT try and drive your car up the forest tracks as this is forbidden.

Jumpers wishing to start flying wingsuits at MB should have at least 50 BASE jumps and have read the following article:
http://www.phoenix-fly.com/articles%20stvari/Starting%20Wingsuit%20BASE.pdf

The Italian Terminal Wall is a unique asset in the world of BASE. Lets keep it safe, clean and legal for all of us.




edit to add: Temporary closure: Please do not jump the nearby subterminal wall over the lake until November 15, 2005, by request of local jumpers and tourist authorities.
-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Swiss Valley
originally posted by toni on 4 May 2005, here

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To all:

- BASE here is Tolerated

If everyone knows how to do it right, behave and act in a self-responsible manner, it will stay that way.

(The meaning of "self-responsibility" (without the need of regulation by police/goverment) makes part of the swiss/europe mentality.)

(Thanks for the Italian Support ;-))

It is tolerated because of the good will of the people there: Local People, Air Glacier, The farmers

For their help and support, you might bring the farmers some good bottles of whiskey you brought from home, special schnaps and wine, sure they appreciate it if you do as well. Air Glacier, they like chocolate, flowers, etc...

This little things does make happy people and help increase the amount of tolerance we are happy to get from this people.


Even it seems unnecessary to mention, I repeat it again:

- Easy freefall:

Even this *might* be true for some exits, this is not the case everywhere!!! Neither underestimate the Spots nor overestimate your skills.

- Waterfall:

Keep jumping to a minimum, this spot is very close to the village. I suggest to, if you stay longer and absolutely want to jump this, do it just once early in the morning. There is no need to regulate (because regulation means responsibility, and noone has any interest to take this.

Use your brain, the people in the village are still traumatised (I spoke to one last week) from the Guys who jumped during a funeral!!!


- Trash / Garbage:

Don't leave anything there!!! It is not nice to see this bottles, red-bull cans, etc anymore. And the Guy who left tons of duct-tape at serveral exits last week should learn to fly with a bowling ball whenever I see him littering exits...

Replaceing old ropes is possible however.

- Exits:

Don't touch the exits. They are opened that way and jumped that way too. Don't cut trees, this is bad attitude!

The Guys who completely rebuilt the upper Nose Exit jst because they couldn't do a correct 2way otherwise already know they did wrong. I hope not to see this anymore.

- Landing:

NOT IN HIGH GRASS. Cutting the grass on a fields where several jumpers walked on in a pain in the a... for a farmer. The pushed down grass gets stock in the cutting machine and every time this happens, the farmer has to get out of their tractors, remove the stock grass by hand before they can continue to cut the grass.

Go check the landings before you walk up. If you don't see any options, don't jump or go to talk to the farmer.

- Call Air Glacier

- Be safe and spread the love




- Most Important: Be nice to the locals

Be nice with them, even if you think it sounds strange but paying loads of beer and coffee in the morning after, sharing girlfriends, packing others parachutes is considered good behaviour and is normal there.


-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Idaho Bridge

1) Call the Sheriff dispatch before the start of every jumping day (+1 208 735-1911)

The Sheriff has asked that we call the dispatch at the beginning of any day when there are jumpers on the bridge. This is so that the dispatch operator can calm anyone who calls in the emergency number to report a suicide jumper, and explain that BASE is normal and accepted here. If we do not call, the Sheriff has to send a patrol car to investigate whenever jumpers are reported at the bridge.


2) Please do not stand on top of the handrail.

The transportation department, which owns the bridge, has asked that jumpers not stand on top of the handrail because it distracts motorists, and they are concerned that it may cause motor vehicle accidents on the bridge. The bridge is the main entry to town from the interstate, and accidents on the bridge back traffic up all the way through town.


3) Please do not climb the steel.

Jumpers should stay in the normal pedestrian areas of the bridge. Members of the public, including jumpers, should not climb the lower steel. Please stay on the sidewalk--do not jump from the lower steel.


4) When using planks/platforms, remove them when not jumping.

If you place a plank or exit platform, please remove it when your party is not physically present at the bridge (either packing at the visitor center or in the park at the bottom, or jumping, hiking, or riding out). If you leave the bridge for any reason (even to get lunch or to pack at a hotel), please remove launch platforms until you return. Always remove platforms at the end of every jumping day.


5) Respect the local people.

Twin Falls is a small, rural, conservative, American community. Be aware that nudity, excessive profanity, drug use, or excessive drinking will give jumpers a bad reputation here. Beer in public is acceptable, so coolers in the park are no problem. Music, so long as it's not overly explicit, has also never been a problem.


6) For boat service call Don Mayes (+1 208 731-6448)

Not really a jumping guideline, but so many people ask for Don's number that I'll include it here. Don also has brochures and business cards at the visitor center at the top of the bridge.


7) BASE jumper discounts

BASE jumper discounts are available at many area businesses. Be sure to check if you can get one for hotel rooms and meals. Outback (at the top of the bridge, behind the visitor center) offers 2 for 1 drink specials for BASE jumpers all day, and IHOP (at the top, on the other side of Blue Lakes) has a 15% discount for jumpers. Patronizing local businesses and letting them know that you are a jumper makes people aware of the business that jumpers bring to town.
-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Swiss Valley: Temporary Closure

From Swiss BASE Association Web Site on 23 September 05:

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TEMPORARY PROHIBITED ENTRY
CORDONED OFF ZONE, WATERFALL
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY !
Because of work being done at the foot of the Staubbach Waterfall and to the gallery and new tunnel, the area cordoned off with red and with police tape is closed to the public until further notice. This includes access to the B.A.S.E. exit points.
Trespassers will be fined with Fr. 100.--.
We thank you for your understanding.
The local police



Note that this valley is probably the only place that a "temporary closure" by local authorities has ever actually turned out to be temporary, when this same site was closed (then later re-opened) in the past.
-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Posted by Joris on November 6, 2005.

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Hi All,

I know that the stuff I`m about to write is nothing new, but has to be said once more.

This morning I was travelling on the train in the Swiss Valley together with a small group of jumpers. When the ticket controller checked our tickets he noticed that some of us were Swiss and that`s when he asked us a moment of our time to express his concern (he obviously didn`t speak english very well and never told the following to other, foreign jumpers).
He said he is a member of the local moutaineering club and that lately they start to see more and more littering in the Valley on the trail inspections. Not only on the tracks and the exit points, but even on the bottom of the cliffs! They know exactly where we jump and that this litter can not be linked to regular tourists!

Last week we had awesome weather and it was therefor very busy in the Valley. This is great ofcourse and it looks like most of us are taking the small self-regulatory rules into consideration. Things like not jumping the certain cliff at the moment, calling the Air Glaciers Heli rescue guys etc. But it doesn`t stop there. We are very clearly NOT doing very well in non-littering `rule`. The regular tourists are doing way better then us guys! Something NOT to be proud of.

Two days ago, just after the majority of the jumpers had left again, two of my mates and fellow jumpers came over to the Valley and I showed them the place behind the Horner Pub (this is the place where most jumpers pack and hang out!). It was litterally TRASHED. Shit all over the place. It was a f**king discrace. My mates then got a garbage bag (Available FOR FREE at the Pub!) and started taking matters in own hand. Eventhough that`s great and shows their initiative, they shouldn`t have to clean up after other guys.

I`m personally very fortunate to have this beautiful place as my local spot and I know that everybody who visits and jumps the place loves it. We all know that the situation is fragile here. The locals accepted us, but that doesn`t mean they would mind if the jumping here stops. Many of your fellow jumpers have put a lot of work and effort in it to have it and keep it this way. We should be greatful for that and realize this more. It means that we all have to give a little contribution to this `cause`. Taking down your empty bottle or cigarette butt, or even pick up one that has been left behind. It`s no effort really and can make a huge difference for the future of jumping in this place. The fact that a ticket controller asks us to spread this concern throughout our community says enough.

YOU ARE A GUEST THERE, SO BEHAVE LIKE ONE!


-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Moab, Utah, USA:

Quote

Moab:


1) Prepare before visiting

Apex BASE, located in Moab, recommends that jumpers have a minimum of 40 previous BASE jumps before visiting the area. Be sure to practice object avoidance, and have a plan for avoiding object strike when (not if) you have your first 180.


2) Do not underestimate the difficulty of these jumps

Because of the popularity of the area, many jumpers assume that it is suitable for beginners. This is not the case. Most cliffs in Moab are vertical (not overhung) and slider down (below 400' in altitude). This means that avoiding object strike after an off heading opening requires skill, currency, and experience.


3) Respect the environment

Remember that this is a public wilderness area shared by many groups. Follow good wilderness ethics and minimize our impact and visibility in the area. The hard, dark spots in the ground around Moab are called "Cryptobiotic Soil." These pockets of life are the basis for all the higher life in this desert environment. They are fragile, and off-trail hiking easily destroys them. When hiking or walking in Moab, keep an eye on the ground, pack your trash out, and keep your feet off the crypto.


4) Contact the Locals

There are several local BASE jumpers in Moab, including the staffs of Apex BASE (435 259-1085) and Skydive Moab (435 259-JUMP). If you are new to Moab, guiding to local exit points is available from Skydive Moab for a daily fee. The locals know the area, and they also know the risks. Be sure to follow their lead when approaching new jumps in this area.


5) Carry a cell phone

In case of accident, it's important to be able to call help quickly. Carry a cell phone with you when jumping, and check that you get reception in the area. If you don't have service at a jump, know where the nearest place you have service is, and how long it will take you to get there in the event of an accident.


6) Be prepared with appropriate equipment and training

Be aware that much of the Moab area is remote wilderness, and that many jumps are in these areas. Carry extra water, first aid supplies, and rescue equipment when visiting remote sites. Training in rescue and first aid is definitely recommended, and jumping specific rescue and first aid training is available from Apex BASE.


-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Originally posted March 25, 2006, by BASE 1007.

Quote

The Waterfall is still CLOSED!
The following Quote is from the Police:

***TEMPORARY PROHIBITED ENTRY
CORDONED OFF ZONE
STAUBBACH WATERFALL
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY !

Because of work being done at the foot of the Staubbach Waterfall and to the gallery and new tunnel, the area cordoned off with red and white police tape is closed to the public until further notice. This includes access to the B.A.S.E. exit points. Trespassers will be fined with Fr. 100.--. We thank you for your understanding.
The local police of Lauterbrunnen




This is not good news... However we have have an even more serious issue regarding the waterfall spots that was expressed to us by the local community of Lauterbrunnen in an e-mail we received from them.

Quote

Wir danken Ihnen, dass sie respektieren, dass die Spots in der Nähe des Staubbachfalls in Zukunft nicht mehr benützt werden können. Der Staubbachfall und seine Umgebung sind das Wahrzeichen von Lauterbrunnen. Deshalb legt die Bevölkerung grossen Wert darauf, diese Örtlichkeit von tragischen Ereignissen im Zusammenhang mit B.A.S.E.-Jumps freizuhalten.




Here is the translation:

Quote

We thank for respecting the fact that the exit points close to the Staubbach-Waterfall can not be used in the future anymore. The Staubbach-Waterfall and its surroundings is/are the Landmark of Lauterbrunnen. Therefore it is crucial for the residents of Lauterbrunnen to keep this place free from tragic events in connection with B.A.S.E.-Jumps.



Please respect this ban!

Compared to fines in the US, 100.- Swiss Francs is nothing. (~80$)
But the risk is much higher than just a little fine! If you jump the waterfall, you are endangering the whole valley and its future access to it for the Base community.

Please be patient, we are working on this issue. We are currently dealing with the authorities and maybe we will be given permission to jump the waterfall again in a year. Or maybe never.
Maybe with some kind of regulations...

But notheless, at the moment, the waterfall is CLOSED and remains closed until you read something different on http://www.subterminal.ch
-- Tom Aiello

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SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Originally posted by subterminal on July 28, 2006.

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Hi all,

I just returned from a great trip to one of the three valleys in mid Norway. The one with the TW. An awesome amount of jumpers have found their way there this year and it's super cool to see that so many foreigners are enjoying some of the tallest cliffs in our country.

Most locals in the TW area are very pro base, but there have been a few occations where jumpers have been a bit too keen to get to the exit point and driven their cars quite fast on private roads.

Please note that the road to Gridset is private, and the farmer who owns it is really cool letting us use it. People burning past his barn, whirling up dust, is not doing us any favours. This is one of the most accessible jumps in Romsdal and frequently used so please show due respect when entering his land. (I also believe the actual cliff is on his property).

A local jumper was approached by the farmer and he (the jumpers) asked to have the information posted so we collectively can keep the valley a happy place to visit for many, many years to come!

Cheers,

CJ =)


-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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Italian Sub-Terminal Wall Closure, originally posted by UncleCharlie95 on 2 August, 2006.

Quote

The Italian locals ask for all visiting jumpers to not jump the I.S.T.W.(the E on the lake) at the moment.

There is a building site where the LZ used to be and it seems the builders are REALLY UN-HAPPY with the jumpers landing on the site. They are considering steps to stop us jumping.

The site is fragile and does NOT have the "legal" status of the ITW.

Thank you for your understanding, once we have more information we will post it here.

Mucho BASE
The Italian locals


-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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