dbagdrew

That works to. I like that

I'll be there in May dude, hope you have some sick sites scoped out for me. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

In continuing with the question of Time in skydiving before getting into BASE, I thought I would offer my experience and thoughts. I got into skydiving because it is cool (I'll probably get flamed for this) with no real intention of getting into BASE. It is cool, and I still love it. At about 200 jumps and 2 years in the sport I got excited about BASE and really wanted to get into it. I thought that I was ready. I talked to some locals and eventually decided (on my own) that I would wait. I am glad that I did. I know now that there is no way that I was ready. This is just in terms of something I call maturity in skydiving. Sure, I was young at the time and immature in other ways, but I needed more time to mature in the sport. To experience some fatalities, see what can happen to peoples families and lives and make a decision if BASE was worth it for me. For me I needed around 600 skydives and 6 years in the sport to (what I think is) mature in the sport. The biggest thing for me was time in the sport. As far as preparation in in skydiving, I didn't do as much as I would have liked, but the more you can do the better. Having to do it again, I would have put at least 100 jumps of a large F-111 7-cell, focused every jump on BASE related things (accuracy etc). I also would have gotten in to crew. Just some thoughts of mine. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I have been looking for the Full-Face Helmet, but I have a weird Shaped head and helmets don't seem to fit me. I should have one soon. I got a line on a pretty good sounding multi-impact helmet. Just have to track one down and try it on. I'm on it though, don't worry. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Hey The Knee/Shin Pads are Fox Brand. They do not clip to my boots, but, as I am a little short than Mytwocents (they were his) I have to wrap the velcro at the bottom around the top of my boots. That is probably what Dave was thinking of. They are great though. I like them a lot. They are a little hard to get off is the only thing, but as they fit well under my pants, that's not really an issue for me. Wear them driving and everything. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I love pictures that capture that moment. Here is mine (And a couple others) Photos by SabreDave Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

What if there is an A on top of a B? I saw this on a recent road trip and because of this thread, I snapped a couple pics. My vote is an: 'A on a B' Access would be like a B, exit like an A and wind on exit like an A, but wind under canopy like a B. Thought it was cool anyways. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/benni-the-ice-mans-last-jump/2007/01/08/1168104896373.html Clicky Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Congrats Must be nice to live downtown. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Don't wish. Be. You have every reason to. Thanks for that. I love life, maybe I just am jealous of his ability to espress that love for life. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I am curious to know how many of those jumps were off the potato Bridge. Even just a guess would be enough for me. I am surprised that he had only 8 boat rides out, as I was on 2 or 3 of them in one weekend (I think it was 3). During the Perrine Bridge Festival. Miles was nice enough to take us out in his boat a couple times. Miles is a Machine. I wish I could be exited about life as he is. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I see that you were at Jaap's Party. I couldn't make it out. Great pic. I know who it is, and voted correctly. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

That was exactly what there was, and why I wanted to rush. There was a pretty big bust potential at this object. Some good points, that is actually what ended up happening. As I would stop to rest I would check out what was going on with the winds. Good idea to look at the landing area from different altitudes. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

That is impressive, I was on a 300 footer last night. The climb up was around 20 minutes. I am not in the best shape (not terrible though), and it was my first time on an outside climb, so that really didn't help. I was far more scared than I imagined. The climb down was a little quicker (got winded out). But still painfully slow, as we were pretty exposed to passers-by. Looks like I have to start climbing more ladders or working out or something. My arms are still killing me, I can't imagine climbing 2000'. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I think that you will most certainly need a slider, and sounds perfect for your first wingsuit BASE jumps. Can I come too? I have been told that the swiss valley is not the best place for my first slider up jumps, so maybe I could get some in before I head to the land of Cheese and Chocolate. Then I wouldn't be stuck doing lame slider down jumps. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Did you post this after watching Samuel L. Jackson tonight on Leno? Just curious, as this was the first time I had heard of this eating for your blood type. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Just for interests sake, they were considering a BASE jumper quarter for the WV one. I guess it got voted down, despite Jason Bell's efforts. Here is the link: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=600803; Couldn't find the actual image of the quarter, maybe someone has a picture of it. Andrew Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I think that as BASE jumpers it is easy to look at objects and be smitten with them for our own purposes and forget that these objects are pretty cool to other people too. There are many examples of this. One that comes to mind: on a recent back-country ski trip, I mentioned that I had been checking out a couple local A's. One of the guys that I was with said that he had climbed both of them. (600' and 800') This amazed me, as I figured that there wouldn't really be anyone else that would want to climb something that big for no other reason than to check out the view. He is a climber and said that he likes heights. I am actually considering asking him for some help with getting on those, as the security is a little tight. It made me realize though, that there are other people that find these things interesting. I have to say that I would be pretty surprised to find someone on an A that I was planning on jumping. Really, 2 out of 50 is pretty good. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Did seeing that sign stop you from jumping, or just from him doing his first freefall? I have always thought that BASE jumpers would not typically be the types to be superstitious. For example, if someone talked about going in, while at an exit point, would that prevent anyone from jumping? Joking about that sort of thing was pretty common place, in my limited experience. Just curious. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Is this 170' to impact? It is tough to tell on the video, but is there more altitude to the landing area? Those look like pretty reasonable canopy flight times if it is 170' to landing. Impressive. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Clicky: www.ihi.com Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I heard/read somewhere that you should bring some liqiour from your home country. As I am from Canada... By the way, there are some fine Canadian Whiskeys as well. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

Weird Al Yankovic I was 14, 1996. They played this clip of a kid 'winning a prize' and his prize was that he got to drink from the fire hose. They then show this kid getting annihilated by the hose, that was a foot from his face. Hilarious. I will always remember that for some reason. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I agree, and that is why I have been tentative, and that is part of the reason that I am asking for advice. I obviously have some soul searching to do and some decisions to make (like what level of risk do I want to take). Thanks for your input. There will always be a next year, right? It also may be that I am over thinking this, and that these jumps would be not ideal, but completely reasonable for my confidence level and experience. Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain

I am sure my mentor would be pleased to hear that. This seems like a no-brainer. This is my main concern with going. We have a wall close to us here that is about 8-10 seconds as well. I believe that it is a little more forgiving. I was hoping to get off it this summer, but it didn't work out and is now closed for the season. Unfortunately we don't really have antennas around here that are that high. Well there is one that's 800' but the bust factor is very high(got burned a while back). But I may have to make a trip somewhere to get this (I agree, much needed) practice in. I may have to take you up on that. If I am not able to get the sub-terminal tracking practice in (which in all likelyhold I will not be able to). I may consider just doing some slider down stuff while I am there. (Stuff I know, well, stuff I know better than slider up) I have heard that there are a couple dams around too. Could you PM the locations to me? Will do. I was just changing that when you posted your reply. Thanks Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. - Mark Twain