lifewithoutanet

While sitting atop a snowy wall this afternoon, simultaneously cursing both my good judgement and the wind, another jumper and I got to talking about the relatively new concept of adding an additional, internal pocket to the BOC for staging the bridle separately of the PC. I'm not sure which manufacturers are going with this design at this point--if any--but I do know it's been discussed recently. On a positive note, this stages the bridle independently of the PC. When pitched, this internal pocket removes certain possible shit from going wrong in that the bridle reaches bridlestretch gradually, by the snatch and then drag of the PC, rather than exposing potential slack of the bridle to wraps or knots as the bridle reaches tension. On a negative note, this stages the bridle independently of the PC. When pitched using such an internal BOC stow, the pitch of the PC will only extend the bridle to just beyond the arm-length of the jumper (accounting for some momentum of the outward throw--though nominal, given the relatively little mass of a PC itself) and some additional force exerted on the bridle by relative wind (also nominal, though increasing with delay) before the PC itself is snatched by the relative wind. (*Note: different PC packing methods will have different effects, such as ensuring the "handle" exposed by the cap of the PC includes some bit of the bridle within the resulting ball of PC topskin.) It would seem to me that by introducing an additional stow-point it could therefore induce hesitations, such as the bridle incurring friction or--worse--snag along the corner of the internal sleeve. In any case, I'd like to get some thoughts on this internal BOC bridle sleeve and find out who (if any) manufacturers are using it or planning to use it and why. Thanks. -C.

Jaap was making a joke about you helping people touch him (Peter), which I wouldn't recommend to anyone without a long, sterile pole, none of which can be found on this message board. PeterK is well. I talked to him last night. MotherF'er's all cool. -C.

1.) You owe no beer. BASE ain't skydiving. B.) Could you draw me a picture? I'm having a hard time visualizing how you started off jumping in the "right direction", but ended up in a crosswind. Unless you were leaving from the very single point where all lines converge, what you claim occurred seems impossible confusing. Otherwise, glad you're here to tell the tale...but I must ask, have you practiced object avoidance off more forgiving objects? -C.

I'm going to state first and foremost that I'm making a judgement call, simply on the info in your profile. You have...16 jumps on student status? You're how close to BASE jumping? Your response is typical of anyone who wants to get into the sport and just expects all of us to just plain get along (and by "anyone who wants to get into the sport", I'm even referring to myself and the mindset I had about a year and a half ago...and hell, while we're at it, the way I appear to anyone who just plain thinks I'm a worthless cunt right now). The Reality of Things is far more complex than what you're thinking this very moment with absolutely no real insight into BASE as it is. BASE jumping is fucking exploding. And by "fucking exploding", I mean at a rate far from acceptable by most jumper's standards. As a new jumper, or hell, as ANY jumper, you should expect anyone who started jumping before you to be concerned about you and anyone who comes after you, by default. Warranted or not; right, wrong or indifferent, get used to it. You are guilty until proven innocent. And if you think "I won't be like that", you're delusional. Start jumping (get some training, first) and you'll understand why active BASE jumpers are as protective of their objects, of "ethics", as critical of actions and downright "offensive"--whether on the internet or in person--as they are. You might even learn to weed out the meaningful from the bullshit, but right now, regardless of what you think you know, you have No Clue. Observe for a little while. Think about the reactions you see and why active BASE jumpers have that reaction. Figure it out. You might come to a new realization. Just leave your skydiving mentality at the door. Cheers, -C.

Ground launching will give you flight experience under canopy, but it does nothing to simulate the deployment sequence which is, more often than not, the point at which shit begins to go horribly wrong. I'm not saying it won't be valuable, I'm just saying it won't be valuable where you need it most. That said, GLing in itself is not just "kite and go". It involves site and weather analysis and these skills will translate to BASE. Also, in this case, you'd probably be better served to start out w/ a traditional skydiving canopy which will give you a better glide, which will let you start out on more gradual sloping hills. You need to walk before you can run. Talk to some of the experienced canopy pilots at your DZ and get some GL training. -C.

Here's a pic for you. A year ago, I was the guy w/ the sore knee. Now I got dead people in there. Sack-up or fix it. -C.

Let's look at this from a different perspective, Chris... Who do you think property owners are more concerned about? Punk-ass kids tagging their property or BASE jumpers? (Note, I'm not calling YOU a punk-ass kid, I'm just using the term a property owner is likely to use when they find grafiti/stickers on the roof of their building, the top of their A, or crane, etc.) Shit, most of them probably don't know enough about BASE jumping to think their object is at risk of being jumped and/or they believe we're such a miniscule fringe element (at least for another year...maybe) that they're really not that concerned. So who gives a flying fcuk what the tag is? The simple fact is that a tag or graffiti of any type tells them one thing for certain: *someone* was somewhere on their property they weren't supposed to be and if they're more likely to believe it was a "punk-ass kid" (which is the first thing that springs to most people's minds when they see tags), they're pretty damn likely to try and prevent that in the future. Want to put a sticker on an object? How about putting it on your carry-on staticline? -C.

I'm in for sometime in either May or July. Will be having too much fun in Switzerland, Italy and Norway in June to make it to Twin. -C.

Watched "The Score" w/ Robert DeNiro and Ed Norton last night. It's a heist flick, for those of you who don't know. DeNiro is the seasoned veteran thief and Norton's the up and coming new guy, trying to prove himself and show DeNiro he's got what it takes. I'd seen it before. But about halfway through, there's a conversation that struck a chord this time around...as the last time I saw this movie, I hadn't yet started BASE jumping. I'd say it's about the perfect bit of advice never written for a BASE jumping newbie. Norton starts in, asking about 'longshots', 'gambles', too much risk. DeNiro's response is priceless. Norton: "Look, I know you're careful, I'm careful too. I mean, you know, when you were starting out, when you were just getting going, you must have taken some flyers here and there, done something that was a little wild. I'm just curious." DeNiro: "I never took long shots. I'm going to say something to you. You're smart, you're talented, you know a few things. But talent means nothing in this game if you don't make the right choices. There are plenty of talented people out there who never see the light of day anymore. Last thing: takes discipline. Because this whole game is one big long shot, and if you don't have the discipline to stay away from the flyers or from the gambles or whatever else you wanna call a stupid move, then my friend, I'm afraid to say, one day you will go down. It's inevitable. You want my advice? Make a list of everything you want now, and then plan on spending the next 25 years of your life getting it, slowly, piece by piece." Just something I thought I'd share on a Monday morning. -C.

That's 'Mumbai Theme Tune' by A.R. Rahman (edit: might be by Talvin Singh). -C.

Oh...one thing to consider when using an IR spotlight of this magnitude to film jumps... Many law enforcement officers are equipped with IR capabilities these days. They're not out there combing the streets w/ FLIR (Forward Looking IR), but it would suck to have an area "lit-up" (without really being "lit-up" in the true sense) and draw attention to yourself. -C.

Let's see...how did you put it? "like something they would have strapped to the bottom of a ghetto bird" This sucker is bright and powerful. I stood in my street, turned it on and pointed it down the block, then turned it off because I was actually concerned about scaring the shit out of my neighbors. Abbie compared it to a helicopter spotlight when I lit up a valley at a friend's house. I'll do a little test with it tonight and report in more detail. -C.

Cyclops Thor Platinum "Want to bring down satellites from space? You NEED this much power." This is what I was talking about before. Turn this thing on and see what you're having for dinner tomorrow. Costco has 'em for $30. I dare anyone to mount this on their camera helmet, though. -C.

I do a single wrap w/ the primary stow on every jump. -C.

Jamie, what's up? I experimented quite a bit w/ my camera, a Sony PC109. I bought a Surefire M1 Infrared Illuminator, but quickly discovered that the camera was the actual shortfall. There are different types of IR light (far, mid, near) and most cameras fall into the 'near' IR category. 'Near' refers to distance, but is also nearly visible, similar to LouDiamond's linked post referring to red plastic. Now, when you engage Nightshot on a Sony camera (and this is true for most cameras), two things happen: 1.) the camera's IR light is enabled to light the subject 2.) the switch moves a lens in place to filter enhance IR-illuminated subject Some research I did suggested finding a midpoint between on and off with the Nightshot switch that would put the lens in place, but not turn on the camera's IR light. Using my Surefire M1, my camera was relatively effective at picking up the M1's spotlight at further distances than the camera's IR light, but only barely. Super-Nightshot (essentially a software enhancement on the camera) gives a bit more range, but with a decrease in video quality both in image quality and 'shutterspeed'. Long story short, my M1 Illuminator ended up being an expensive gadget. I've been looking at two other options. I picked up a 15M candlepower spotlight at Costco for $30 last weekend and as soon as I get my camera back, I'll start experimenting with other filters. The other, pricier option, but with potential for actually working is a Meade NV monocular with a video-out port. I might end up trying that out. Will let you know if I do. -C.

Bravo. They'd care less about the content of a response than they would about the fact that someone, anyone, responded. Fuel the fire and it only serves to sell more papers. They're in it for the business, not because they print what they think is actually newsworthy. -C.

Dude, I remember that. And I remember meeting you at the bridge after your first jump. You scared the shit out of us then, just by your enthusiasm. Fast forward a year and shit, man...like I told you on the phone earlier... We'll jump with you anytime. Granted, given who "we" are, that might not be saying much for you, Grumbleson. Elf, consider what you're doing. There's no need to force something. Wouldn't you rather be good at it (relatively speaking) going into your first jumps? Increase your chances of survival and enjoyment of BASE by going a little further to prepare yourself. You'll have a much better time and you'll find a much more welcoming community. -C.

I do think Russticle's ring-release risers have a good application in BASE, but little in skydiving. That's adding another unnecessary bit of complexity and a purpose for which this slider was not designed. -C.

Yes, there is... But remember, PeteS designed this for use in SKYDIVING as a training aid for learning to fly a canopy w/ the line-release mod. You wouldn't use this on a BASE jump... You'd use this in preparing yourself for BASE and you'd have a reserve at the time. -C.

Semantics. Moab is full of exits. We're talking about protecting info on a specific site/exit by not naming it, not an entire area. -C.

The rule is supposed to apply across (edit) this board, even to well known sites for the simple fact that saying "No site naming. PERIOD." doesn't leave it open to the varying interpretations of all jumpers: "Well, it's okay this time because..." Your interpretation and mine may be entirely different and we have enough other things to bicker about online, anyway. It just helps to keep things consistent. -C.

Looks like a pretty well-executed PCA there, Rusticle. Now, how many PCAs did that asshat have prior to this deployment? -C.

And they call this method, "The Aristocrats". -C.

Hey, Jimmy. I'm gonna feel all self-important for a moment and think that maybe you're referring to my post. What I said was that "I care more about a jumper's attitude towards his/her peers than I do about their attitude to whuffos. That doesn't mean I don't care how they portray the sport, but I try to give and expect a little respect within the community." Attitude is a factor I consider in forming my own opinion about a jumper. It does not determine whether or not they're ethical or unethical. If an action of theirs betrays the spirit of BASE and they don't give a shit about that action (ratting another jumper out, as one example), that--to me--is an attitude problem that led to unethical behavior. When you chalk it down to "an action is either ethical or it's not"... You're right. It's the action that's either ethical or unethical, but it's the jumper's motivation and attitude that play a large part in their behavior. You have to consider the circumstances and intentions. A few examples: Felix (is this horse dead, yet?) goes to illegally jump an object in broad daylight. Before doing so, he calls the media to let them know when and where. It's all over the news. Unethical. He's doing it for publicity, whether his own or to sell a few more cases of overpriced and undersized soft drinks. The bicycle off the tower. It's already an illegal jump and I guess the bike fit within whatever protocol you guys have for jumping that site. Not unethical. Maybe unorthodox (if that can even be applied to BASE). Some might say a bit reckless (imagine if it had taken out a transmitter), and could potentially compromise the site, but protocol on a local's object is another discussion. In any case you've got your own cameras there and you put it in a video, but you're not sending footage out to the media. You're keeping it in the community. Someone gets seen and shit ends up in the media. Shit happens. Maybe you'll call to question the timing of their jump and whether or not they were obeying protocols and maybe whether they should have been there in the first place, but they weren't out trying to get attention. The fact that they were seen does not make them unethical. To clarify...I don't necessarily see the "look at me" or outspoken types as one and the same. And I don't see either to be unethical simply because they're drawing attention to themselves. That's a difference of style. It doesn't happen to be mine, but actually, I don't see anything wrong with it provided it doesn't compromise a site or take something from the sport. It's the actions that do that I have a problem with. -C.

Okay, I'll bite. I think the word you're looking for is 'hypocrite'. I'll call it like I see it, even if I'm looking in the mirror. I know I rationalize my difference in opinions partly on the fact that I know that about myself. But more than being hypocritical (and potentially what justifies it), what factors most to me is attitude, medium and motivation. Attitude: I care more about a jumper's attitude towards his/her peers than I do about their attitude to whuffos. That doesn't mean I don't care how they portray the sport, but I try to give and expect a little respect within the community. You don't have to like me and I don't have to like you, but the rebellious, in-your-face, fuck-off tone doesn't score well with anyone, BASE or no BASE. Even still, I've been more than a little guilty of that kind of tone on my own, especially recently. I justified it with 'certain circumstances require certain measures' and I'll always question what I could do better next time. I also take into consideration what they've done in the sport. Take-all selfishness, wring-out whatever I can personally get from it with no consideration of anyone else? Or realizing a responsiblity to protect something that's given them so much and means a lot to a very small percentage of the world's population? Medium: Are we talking made for TV, print publications, BASE videos, or manufactured stories for the news? I like most of the videos I've seen and appreciate when editors make an attempt to conceal an object location. I know that's not always possible, though...and this is where attitude and motivation factor in. Who they are, how they conduct themselves and what they're trying to do play a large part. With the consideration of medium comes the intended audience, too, and not just who will see it, but how they'll see it and how it will effect other jumpers. Motivation is probably the biggest factor for me, and it's certainly the one that's most subject to an individual's bias. The self-aggrandizing "look at me" antics, particularly when focused outside of our community, bring my blood to a boil, especially when it effects someone else's ability to go make a jump. "Promote the sport through education and professionalism, not self-promotion. Do not attempt to glorify yourself at the expense of the sport's image or the accessibility to an object." -Adam Filipino Did I answer your question? Probably not, but I avoided work for half an hour. -C.