base428

Looks like it's up and running. Magot, I had a server crash two years ago and then spent THOUSANDS of dollars on a powerful server for 2005. Worked great last year, but crapped out this year. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I think you guys crapped it out at around 2:05. Looks like some got registered, but then the server died. We're working on it. My server company sucks, sorry. My apologies to all. We're working on it now. If everyone can stop refreshing for a few minutes, I can possibly get it online again. Thanks. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Server probably overloaded. I spent a lot of cash on this server last year and it sailed through registration. Not sure why it's bogging down now, stay tuned. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I've got a nice scar that proves the Cruiselites are bad for landings. Many jumpers used them before the Foxes and Mojos became popular. There are still a few Cruiselites at Bridge Day each year. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm going to eat at this restaurant Friday night and will hopefully get to meet the owner. At least he's got the guts to say what most of us are thinking.... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Maybe someone would be interested in teaching such a course AT Bridge Day? I tried to get Hank to teach some basic climbing courses (ascending/decending ropes, etc.) a few years ago, but he had to back out at the last minute. Anyone interested in teaching a similar course? A staff pass would be provided to the instructor. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Calvin also opposes any jumping outside the normal Bridge Day window, even if the jumping takes place from the state-owned bridge and landings were on private property. I've spoken with many people who fought for that area to become a National Park and now they regret it. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

REGISTER TO JUMP HERE Bridge Day is the Super Bowl of BASE jumping with one day of legal parachute jumps from the 876' tall New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Over 450 BASE jumpers and up to 200,000 spectators are expected to attend Bridge Day 2006 on Saturday, October 21st. For most jumpers around the world, Bridge Day is a chance to make legal jumps, see old friends, and meet new ones. For 80+ jumpers each year, it's the chance to make their first BASE jump. For those interested in advanced training, Tom Aiello will be teaching a 3-day long course shortly before Bridge Day. If you're new to Bridge Day, please read our Frequently Asked Questions. Jumper registration begins on July 1, 2006 at 2pm EST (19:00 GMT). At that time, refreshing your browser will allow the "ADD TO BASKET" button to be enabled. All 450 jump slots are expected to be sold quickly. Registered jumpers will be able to reserve more than 160 hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn Oak Hill and Quality Inn New River starting September 1st at midnight (first come, first served). Bridge Day is the largest extreme sports event in the world held on the third Saturday in October every year in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Bridge Day is unique in that it is the only day visitors may walk across the bridge, BASE jumpers can parachute from the railing, and rappellers are allowed to descend and ascend fixed ropes. Vendors line both ends of the bridge selling stained glass, crafts, shirts, photos, and refreshments. Bridge Day is West Virginia's largest one-day festival and is rated one of the top 100 festivals in North America. But adrenaline junkies beware - Bridge Day is only six hours long. Jumping outside the 9am-3pm window onto NPS property could result in a hefty fine and a year in prison. Many jumpers have recently petitioned the WV Department of Highways, Congressmen, and Senators for increased jumping days from the bridge's catwalk; an idea that has gained many supporters due to the positive financial gain for local businesses. Americas tallest bridge, the 1,053' tall RG Bridge, hosts a 3-day BASE jumping event each year. Twin Falls, Idaho welcomes year 'round BASE jumping from their 486' bridge and the local community embraces jumpers who bring millions of dollars in business to the area. Jumpers from all over the world will be lined up to take their turn leaping from the world's second longest single arch bridge. Most will fall from the bridge for 3-4 seconds before deploying their parachute. Then they'll spend the next 20-30 seconds floating down to the designated landing zone located on National Park Service property at the edge of the New River. BASE jumpers have jumped from the New River Gorge Bridge every year since the first Bridge Day on November 8, 1980 (the only exception being the cancellation of Bridge Day 2001 shortly after 9/11). The first Bridge Day saw five skydivers making BASE jumps from the bridge in the early days of the sport of BASE jumping. Over the years, Bridge Day became the place for thousands of skydivers to make their first BASE jump. It is also the largest gathering of BASE jumpers each year, complete with first jump seminars, packing classes, and a BASE gear trade show. The average BASE jumper at Bridge Day last year was a 32 year-old male with more than 1200 skydives and 49 BASE jumps from various objects. For every 88 males that take the plunge at Bridge Day, you'll find 12 females along side them ready to enjoy the ride as well. Last year, over 429 jumpers and staff members made 829 jumps in great weather with only a few minor injuries. The popular 16' commercial aluminum diving board, first introduced in 2003, will be returning to Bridge Day this year. BASE jumping aerialists from countries as far away as Australia and Russia will again travel to Fayetteville, WV to amaze the spectators with multiple flips and twists from the massive diving board before deploying their one and only parachute. The Vertical Visions team also plans to have a landing accuracy contest with cash prizes (1st place last year received more than $1500 in prizes), a BASE jumping film festival, and some special jumps that should make for an exciting Bridge Day 2006 for both jumpers and spectators. All BASE jumping activities at Bridge Day 2006 will again be coordinated by Vertical Visions LLC, owned by West Virginia BASE jumper and skydiver Jason Bell (BASE #428, D-16725). Jason will be assisted by his wife Jennifer, Charleston native Bill Bird (D-6977), and over 50 staff members. For questions regarding Bridge Day BASE jumping, please contact Jason Bell (click on the "base428" profile to the left for email address) or visit www.bridgeday.info. For further whuffo-type information on Bridge Day 2006, please visit the official Bridge Day website located at www.officialbridgeday.com. Here are a few more links: Schedule First Timers Page The LZ Hotels/Camping Shuttle Buses to LZ Our Main Staff ------- Vertical Visions LLC Jason Bell - Owner PO Box 934 Bridgeport, WV 26330 Phone: 304-203-8500 Email: Click on the "base428" profile to the left Bridge Day Website: www.bridgeday.info (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

My best BASE pics (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

If it helps, Bridge Day 2002-2005 averaged around 800 jumps and 4 ambulance rides each year. Most injuries are lower extremity (foot, ankle, leg, cuts - as expected). Approximately 20% of all Bridge Day jumpers are new to the sport. I try to keep good stats, so if you need more details just ask. Perhaps if the "safety police" down at the WV DOH would let us jump more than six short hours a year, we wouldn't have to rush so much and injuries might be reduced. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm trying to contact four of the first five jumpers to legally jump at Bridge Day on Saturday, November 8, 1980. They include: Miguel Fernandez, Ken Hamilton, Andy Macintyre, and Bob Wolf. Dennis Wood, the fifth jumper, died of cancer in 2004 I used to jump with Bob, but have lost contact with him. If you have an email address, phone number, or address for any of them, please email me. I would like to invite all of them to Bridge Day this year. Dennis Wood's widow may be interested in spreading some of his ashes during the event. Here's what is included on my Bridge Day History page: Earlier in the day, Ken and Miguel had parachuted from a Cessna 206 and landed on the bridge surface. Ken suffered serious injuries when jumping from the bridge after experiencing deployment problems and landing in the rocks (he later recovered). Then Governor Jay Rockefeller was unable to attend the event and he subsequently sent DOH Commissioner Charles Miller to tell the crowd that Bridge Day would be an annual event. An estimated 40,000 people attended the first Bridge Day and over 5000 certificates were handed out to people who completed the 3030' walk across the New River Gorge Bridge. From 1981-1982, there were only 10-15 jumpers due to a well-kept secret. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Here's a great photo of exposed kneepads causing problems.... Exposed Kneepad Snag (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Isn't the river the primary LZ? At least that's what we teach everyone at Bridge Day, where there are 100+ people making their first BASE jump and 825+ jumps made each year. If you're not 100% comfortable with your landing, opt for the water. You dry faster than you heal. Maybe the local jumpers should plant some trees on the shoreline so everyone can be reminded how soft the water is.... Nonetheless, best wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured. I've been there myself. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

At some point in time this year, I'm going to strap on our $9000 accelerometer and find out the opening shock G's for BASE jumps. The main obstacle is to keep the accelerometer tight against my body so it experiences the same shock as my body. I've used this accelerometer for numerous package and parachute drops and the results are often surprising. So stay tuned.... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Maybe the NPS should turn over a few parks to the BLM? (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I'm sure most of you don't remember the 1998 ESB jump, or what transpired shortly thereafter, but the similarities are striking. I wanted to write a bunch of stuff here, but frankly, I know some of you will never understand it. So I'll just say this: I think Jeb's attempted jump yesterday was admirable and I commend him on his attempt. The ESB is not your normal object and you can't "burn" it. If someone had ahold of your legs while you stood on the edge of a 1050' building, you might wiggle a little bit as well. Those security guards COULD HAVE KILLED HIM. What do you expect from a bunch of $10/hr rent-a-cops who will do anything to work their way up to head of security. But they put his life in jeopardy by holding onto him. I've jumped in NYC several times and I would have done the same thing as Jeb. I laugh at the headlines in the papers. The media hasn't a clue. And I also hope Jeb ends up on the Tonight Show or Letterman as well. He deserves it. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Magot, Relax. You're not the only one that jumps in NYC. If you were BASE jumping in the late 90's, you'll remember the Thor Alex bit. And everyone was saying the same thing then about NYC being hot. Time heals all wounds. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

For the lazy and cheap jumpers: $16.18 will get you a sealed bite switch from McMaster-Carr. A jumper used to resell them in Parachutist for $25.00 in the mid-90's. Worked fine for me back then, but I now use a custom switch that utilizes the natural up/down movement of my tongue. Link here (product #6944K11) (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

If you're having hard openings at terminal with large mesh, then use a small mesh slider. I've had the same problem numerous times on different canopies (not on a Troll MDV though) and use of a small mesh slider was the best solution. Another tip is to sit up during deployments to ease the moment of intertia on your body and neck. In the last second of your track, flare your body so you are head high and dump. Good luck. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Faber, It's a FULL FJC, just like you'd get at Twin Falls. Training lasts 3-4 days, covering the same material as you would get anywhere else. The only difference is the number of jumps made after training. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Bridge Day has a full blown FJC as well as the free (short) course. Tom Aiello is the instructor this year and you'll get the same training at Bridge Day that you'd get in Twin Falls. Full details are at the link below and you'll be able to purchase a slot in the course when you register for the event: http://www.bridgeday.info/jumpcourse.php PS. Dates and prices are not updated for 2006, but most of the content remains the same. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Can we buy then anywhere? These are the perfect items to leave lying around my house so the neighbors won't bother me much.... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Many thanks to Tree for providing a very cool, customized baby BASE rig for our 11 month old daughter. The detail in this rig is amazing, to say the least. No BASE kid should be without one. Thanks again, Tree. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Flat head, pan head, or another type? Here are a few possibilities: SmallParts.com McMaster-Carr (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Congratulations! You get to look forward to poopy diapers, waking up at 3am, diagnosing why he's been crying for 4 hours, vaccinations, etc. And it's absolutely worth it!!! Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.