billvon 2,476 #1 February 4, 2004 Wednesday We got a lot of inspirational speeches on the first jump of the day. The theme was "treat this as if it was the only jump we had left." A good theme, but I think some people heard "we have to get this one so go like hell." We got around 22,000 feet, and exited as normal. The base was above us again, and our sector 2 base line had to float up into position. As we were lining up, I saw Rob slide left to avoid a camera guy who was trying to get the perfect shot. Rob slid under Scott and they took each other out; within seconds they were both 50 feet low. Great, I thought. We're not even at 18,000 feet yet and the dive's over. Me and the rest of the line backed off, trying to avoid the two of them washing around beneath us. The rest of the red line did a great job giving us room while we dodged them. Then Rob and Scott started floating back up, and first Rob then Scott docked. Wow, I thought, it might not be over after all. We flew in and took grips, and the red wacker started to build behind us. It actually looked pretty good from my perspective; I only saw a few people out. In the end we got 321 out of 358. Not too bad with a base funnel, but a lot of people seemed to be rushing to grips instead of flying their slots. I was impressed by the flying of Rob and Scott, our sector 2 base line and the sector-2 wacker; everyone just gave them space until they recovered and then moved into position quickly. Sector 2 was complete before breakoff per the judges, as were sectors 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. We were excited by the prospect of getting an FAI record on Melanie's birthday, and we rushed to get in the air again. We loaded the planes, took off, and got to 6500 feet before we got the "we're landing" signal. Apparently there was an instrument problem with one of the aircraft, and we landed while they fixed it. An hour later we were in the air again. This time our plane only got to 1500 feet before we got the abort signal. Plane D never even got off the ground; they aborted their takeoff roll due to an engine problem. Afterwards we sat around telling stories while we waited for the weather to clear. Then it started to drizzle. Then it started to rain. Then the real rain started, and we scrambled to hold down the tents and to try to get all the gear into the center of the tarps where the rain wasn't too bad. My rig got soaked, as did a lot of people's. I'll try to attach some pictures later to show the extent of the rain; it was truly impressive. Maybe tomorrow . . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,476 #2 February 4, 2004 Some pictures: korat_resort - the hotel that the other 25% of the people are staying at. Location of the famous sarong contest. C130_procession - a truly impressive line of taxiing aircraft. rain1-5 - a few shots of today's rain. rain_C130 - our aircraft waiting patiently in the storm. gulley1-2 - this developed over the course of about five minutes. I guess no one will be packing in that area anymore. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #3 February 4, 2004 That isn't rain..it's a damn flood! Wishing you better weather and completed skydives Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #4 February 4, 2004 QuoteThat isn't rain..it's a damn flood! Betsy, I guess you've never seen it rain in Houston Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jumperconway 0 #5 February 4, 2004 Bill, Maybe it's time to back it down a notch to maybe 330, get the record and build up from there. Just a thought. Anyway hoping for better weather for you guys and a completion! Fingers crossed, Conway Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bbarnhouse 0 #6 February 4, 2004 QuoteBetsy, I guess you've never seen it rain in Houston Not much different than the monsoon season here. When it rains the water sits on the top of the ground. Its a mess.Bill.. we are all out here rootin' for ya! B2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JJohnson 0 #7 February 4, 2004 Ahhh...nothing like a tropical sun shower...Looks if it came down any harder you'd be building an ark out of those C130's. Good luck.JJ "Call me Darth Balls" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyangel2 2 #8 February 4, 2004 Wow, lots of rain. Looks like the pictures of the storm from WFFC in 2000, or what ever year that was. I enlarged the resort picture as big as I could just to see if I could find anyone I know. No luck Be safe, and get that record.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AudreyRowe 0 #9 February 4, 2004 Sending you lots of good vibes - hope it happens tommorrow Go World Team! Great updates Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shunkka 0 #10 February 4, 2004 QuoteSome pictures: gulley1-2 - this developed over the course of about five minutes. I guess no one will be packing in that area anymore. looks like a new swoop pond VIBES and good weather!!!! ------------------------- "jump, have fun, pull" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
jumperconway 0 #5 February 4, 2004 Bill, Maybe it's time to back it down a notch to maybe 330, get the record and build up from there. Just a thought. Anyway hoping for better weather for you guys and a completion! Fingers crossed, Conway Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #6 February 4, 2004 QuoteBetsy, I guess you've never seen it rain in Houston Not much different than the monsoon season here. When it rains the water sits on the top of the ground. Its a mess.Bill.. we are all out here rootin' for ya! B2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJohnson 0 #7 February 4, 2004 Ahhh...nothing like a tropical sun shower...Looks if it came down any harder you'd be building an ark out of those C130's. Good luck.JJ "Call me Darth Balls" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #8 February 4, 2004 Wow, lots of rain. Looks like the pictures of the storm from WFFC in 2000, or what ever year that was. I enlarged the resort picture as big as I could just to see if I could find anyone I know. No luck Be safe, and get that record.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AudreyRowe 0 #9 February 4, 2004 Sending you lots of good vibes - hope it happens tommorrow Go World Team! Great updates Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shunkka 0 #10 February 4, 2004 QuoteSome pictures: gulley1-2 - this developed over the course of about five minutes. I guess no one will be packing in that area anymore. looks like a new swoop pond VIBES and good weather!!!! ------------------------- "jump, have fun, pull" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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