KVLY B.A.S.E.

[FallRate 0]

Never thought I would even consider a BASE jump...but I happen to live about 15 miles from THE tallest man-made structure in North America, the KVLY Tower. It is a tad bit over 2000' tall. Seems like that would be piggyback friendly. I don't like the idea of not having a reserve! Anyway, good idea or bad?
FallRate

[skyhawk 2]

best bet go to the base site i think its www.blinc.com
Opinions are like a-holes everyone has one, the only one that does you any good is yours and all that comes out is shit

[skymedic 0]

You wanna be a BASE jumper and you dont like the idea of not having a reserve?...hmm....stay with skydiving..OK?..
Your biggest problem with skydiving gear is it's off heading openings....my BASE gear is rock on everytime....skydiving gear=bad juju
marc
BSBD

[billvon 2,418]

Skydiving gear = bad idea. At the very least use a Marta sleeve with appropriate PC, bridle, and slider. (and a big square canopy of course.) Wait for good winds, and find an experienced BASEr to go with you.
-bill von

[FallRate 0]

I don't really wanter to be a BASE'er...I just figured at 2000' it's more like a regular hop'n'pop. (I know that it isn't exactly like a regular h'n'p.) Other than the fact that I'd have to climb for a few hours, it would be a bit like a free jump.
Friends of mine jumped at the last Bridge Day in WV. Both of them used piggybacks. They reconfigured them for the jump. Actually, based on the video I saw quite a few people were using their normal containers. I will definitely have to check with some regular BASE jumpers before considering it further.
I was also curious to see if anyone here had jumped the tower before. Seeing as it is the tallest structure in NA, and considering that BASE'ers seem to like to travel to new spots, it would seem to make for a popular destination.
FallRate

[FallRate 0]

It's apparently not uncommon for some BASE jumpers to want a reserve, they have developed at least one BASE rig that incoporates a reserve. I saw a video of it being tested a couple of years ago at SDC during the Winter Expo. It was an intentional cutaway on a normal BASE jump. Quite a fast deployment!!!
FallRate

[NathanL100 0]

Quote

best bet go to the base site i think its www.blinc.com

I was checking out that site just the other day and the people that post the forums there don't seem like the friendliest bunch, but the rest of the site was pretty cool.
Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience. And if it hurts, you know what? It's probably worth it.

[3fLiEr 0]

Taken from the ABA
Differences Between B.A.S.E. Jumping and Skydiving
Why A B.A.S.E. Jump is Not Just Another Skydive
You Can't Skydive From a Cliff!
Everyone has seen pictures of the amazing 3000ft cliff in Norway, known as Kjerag. This inspires many skydivers to make the pilgrimage to what is perceived as a relatively safe B.A.S.E. jump. But is it really safe? And are skydivers adequately prepared for every scenario that they may encounter. As time goes by and the number of fatalities increases, it is being proven that skydivers are NOT adequately prepared.
How do you prepare for big wall B.A.S.E. jumping? What differences are there between high and low altitude jumps?
I use a technique called Potential Problem Analysis on each and every jump. To be able to use this technique effectively, you first need to be able to recognise and analyse all possible variables (scenarios) and then map out a plan of action prior to jumping. For a skydiver wanting to attempt B.A.S.E. jumping, this means that they should:
know about all possible skydiving malfunctions and how to deal with them.
have an intimate knowledge of equipment.
have the right motivation for wanting to jump.
obtain the right training from the right people.
know about all possible B.A.S.E. malfunctions.
know the differences between skydiving and B.A.S.E. jumping.
The last point is especially relevant because many of the incidents in B.A.S.E. jumping involve skydivers who make the statement “its 3000ft, hence its just like doing a hop’n’pop on a skydive – how easy and safe is that!”. This thought could not be further from the truth.
Let's split up a jump and analyse the differences between skydiving and B.A.S.E. jumping.
SITE ACCESS
On a skydive, you just hop on an aircraft and away you go. On a B.A.S.E. jump, you may have to do hours of difficult hiking, technical climbing, and mountaineering. There is also the issue of legality and trespassing – are you allowed to walk to the exit point and jump off it?
EXIT
On a skydive, all you need to do is hop out of the aircraft. There is plenty of airspeed for you to be able to fly into the correct body position. You also have a lot of free space around you.
On a B.A.S.E. jump, quite often the exit point is difficult to access, slippery, unstable, secured (i.e. security, refer to legal access issues), radiated, electrified, etc. There is no airspeed as you leave the object. This means that you have to put your body in the correct position. If you become unstable, you must use gymnastic &/or diving techniques to regain stability. You can’t “arch” into a stable position for a number of seconds. The exit point is usually precise, if you jump a few metres either side of defined exit point you may introduce further dangers (such as a protruding ledge).
FREEFALL
Once you exit an aircraft, you have a lot of free space around you. It does not really matter what you do until you commence your deployment.
On a B.A.S.E. jump, there is an object near you. Therefore you effectively lose half of your space. You must maintain separation from the object. Can you guarantee the you don’t backslide a few feet on every skydive?? On an underhung object, backsliding a few feet would probably lead to an ugly death. Your freefall time is finite. On lower objects you must be precise in calculating you delay. On a skydive, a few seconds either side of the planned opening altitude does not matter. On a B.A.S.E. jump, a few fractions of a second could mean the difference between life and death. As in the exit, you must use gymnastic &/or diving techniques to regain stability in the first few seconds of a jump if you become unstable.
DEPLOYMENT
Stability is critical on deployment. Your shoulders must be parallel with the ground and your back must point up to provide a clear space for your pilot chute and canopy to deploy. This is true in both skydiving and B.A.S.E. jumping. However, most B.A.S.E. jumpers use single parachute systems. Hence, you must guarantee each and every opening. You would usually get away with an unstable skydiving deployment and you have a reserve to deal with the consequences. Another critical factor is the height consumed
during a deployment. It is very important that a B.A.S.E. jumper uses equipment that consistently consumes the same altitude with minimal variance on every jump. 100 feet here or there are not important on a skydive, yet on a B.A.S.E. jump, it could mean the difference between life and death. The first part of the deployment (from throwing the pilot chute to line stretch) is the most important on a B.A.S.E. jump. The slightest pilot chute hesitation on a low or underhung object could mean the difference between life and
death. As an example: you are on a low jump (250ft), and have a hesitation such that the distance consumed during deployment is greater than usual. Most jumpers will begin to panic and undermine their body position. This could lead to off headings or entanglements. The hesitation may mean that you could impact the ground prior to full canopy deployment. The hesitation may be caused by: incorrect pilot chute selection (material, geometry, size, construction, etc), incorrect bridle length, incorrect stowage or holding methods, incorrect usage technique, downward wind rotors, air density/pressure/ temperature, plus many other factors. Would you consider any of these on a skydive? You have to on a B.A.S.E. jump.
CANOPY FLIGHT
You MUST pre-plan your flight path and allow for all deployment eventualities on most B.A.S.E. jumps. Most sites have obstructions from exit to landing and may have very tight landing areas. Often there are no out landing options. You have to use all your control inputs (front and rear risers, toggles) to control the flight of your canopy. Due to the greater time and space available on most skydives, this is not usually a problem.
LANDING
Landing areas in Australia are often tight with no outs, steep, and covered in sharp rocks or other "injurious" objects. In case of injury, they are also not easily accessible to medical and rescue personnel. In contrast, most skydivers land in open fields. Hence your canopy choice, flight path planning, accuracy skills, personal protective equipment (ankle protecting and shock absorbing boots, knee pads, elbow pads, helmet, etc) must all be of a high standard.
EQUIPMENT
As long as your skydiving equipment is maintained, packed, and used correctly, you can use the same gear on every jump (notwithstanding the discipline specific equipment that is available nowadays such has CRW and accuracy gear).
In B.A.S.E. jumping every component of your gear and its configuration must be taken into account on each and every jump. This can best be explained using two contrasting examples.
Example 1: a 1500ft bridge onto a large grass landing area. You could use virtually any sort of B.A.S.E. equipment in any configuration.
Example 2: a 200ft cliff onto a tight, sloped, and rocky landing area. You need the
following specific equipment:
large reinforced pilot chute (>45 in) for extra drag and faster extraction.
longer bridle (~ 9 ft long) with NO collapsing system to avoid the burble zone.
multiple bridle attachment point preferred to minimise centre cell stripping.
brakes set appropriately (this is dependant on wing loading and characteristics of
the particular canopy you are jumping).
appropriate wing loading - 0.7 lbs per square foot preferred.
bottom skin vents or pac valves to enhance early pressurisation.
a secure (but quick release) toggle system to prevent premature toggle release.
slider removed or down.
brake line stowed outside the keeper ring.
unobstructed (i.e. cover flaps lifted) & primed pins or velcro.
pilot chute folded / stowed and used correctly (poor technique can lead to minor
hesitations which at very low altitudes translates to higher potential for death).
good body position. At this altitude, head high position is preferred.
single parachute systems since there is no time for a reserve parachute.
appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) such as shock absorbing ankle protecting boots, knee pads, elbow pads, helmet, etc. Other equipment such as back braces, abrasion resistant pants, etc could also be used.
knowledge of weather conditions & the affect wind has on deploying, flying, and landing canopies. Rotors, downdrafts, venturi affects, etc need to be considered.
the ability to say NO to a jump and to reject, peer or ego pressure.
ability to determine what skills are required for a jump & whether or not you have the appropriate skill set to perform the jump safely.
As you can see, to maximise safety on a B.A.S.E. jump you have to take into account many complexities that most skydivers would not consider. This lack on consideration is the root cause of most of today's incidents and fatalities. Take a few moments to learn about an activity before you participate. This time could save you a lifetime.
BSBD
"In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

[QuickDraw 0]

Quote

www.blinc.com

Checked it and got some soil sampling dudes.
Hope that is'nt some sort of hint.
..Billions of people living out their lives..Oblivious..

[skymedic 0]

Big difference jumping a bridge and a tower or aerial.....off heading openings on the bridge are not that big of a deal...on the tower..it could mean you being a not so happy dude...or your loved ones that is....
marc
BSBD

[flyinryan 0]

not to be a dick or anything but do you really think it is a good idea to post the name of a BASE site here?

[skymedic 0]

another very good point Ryan....we dont post BASE sites on public boards.....
marc
BSBD

[NathanL100 0]

Just for arguments sake...
Do you really think that law enforcement wouldn't be able to make the connection between a really big antienna and BASE Jumping? But, I guess its better to be safe than sorry.
Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience. And if it hurts, you know what? It's probably worth it.

[skymedic 0]

They Do nathan....problem is if we advertise it then they will really start looking closer....and make the motion detectors and other security harder to get around.....
marc
BSBD

[mountainman 0]

What IS that website? I put in www.blinc.com, but I got some soil website.
What is the "real" one for the BASE?
Thanks. JumpinDuo.com...come and sign the guestbook.

[NathanL100 0]

Point taken. You talking about those motion sensor lights or motion detecting alarms?
Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience. And if it hurts, you know what? It's probably worth it.

[skymedic 0]

Both Nathan...Both...and got nailed by both..
marc
BSBD

[skymedic 0]

Brandon...Blinc's website is... http://www.blincmagazine.com
happy reading....
marc
BSBD

[mountainman 0]

Thanks, Marc. JumpinDuo.com...come and sign the guestbook.