manship

I didn't quote, cause you probably read the other messages by now. kleggo has comments I agree with. I don't "think is a safe # of jumps to visit Moab." Because there is no safe jump to be had there. I do think we are seeing a lot more ill-prepared people coming to jump, numbers achieved or not. Some ill advised jump procedures are also being followed there that are causing some problems -- some people are getting away with them and some aren't. At Moab you got a 50-50 chance. 1. it all goes ok. 2. You have a problem. Now you have another 50-50 chance. You fix the problem or you don't. Fixing that problem requires awareness of the situation, not staring at the upcoming wall in amazement. Sometimes we can pull it out, sometimes we can't. I don't mean any of this to demean any individual or group of jumpers, hell it could happen to me next time too, and I don't have a "safe number of jumps" to go to Moab. Sorry for the ramble, I had a point to begin with. [More Jack Daniels Sir?] t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Get Naked. Get on the scale. Read weight. Add 100 to your weight [in US pounds :) ] This is your all around canopy size. Gonna jump easy landing sites (Perrine) or high winds, you may go down a size. Gonna jump tight landing sites, hard (cement) landings, you may want to go up a size. Test jump your new canopy, adjust size for the next 4 or 5 canopies you acquire. Works out pretty good. t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

All the jumps in Moab are unique. I just have to say that my favorite is all of the ones I have been able to walk away from without injury. And that wasn't the case for two of them! I got lots of respect (translation, "FEAR") for Moab Jumping. There isn't any other place quite like it though, there are surely similar areas, many undiscovered. Oh, the Turkey Gathering is definately a special time and if you have never been, you shoud find a way. later, t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

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Not good. The further USPA stays away from BASE the better. BASE does NOT need all those Regulations, suggestions,awards, and Government Involvement!!!!!! Just my .02 Krone as usual. The idea that there aren't enough skydivers is in error. With more than 20,000 people having gotten their D license since I got mine, the number of skydivers hasn't dropped. In fact, I think there are too damn many these days, which is a large part of why I began BASE jumping. Yeah, I guess you can just attribute the above to me being an old man, but I'll be jumping (in some fashion - BASE preferably) until they pry my pilot chute out of my cold dead BOC. I think you know why (wrong or right) USPA is against BASE - the historical El Cap thing. Also GL has not had the history of illegal launching that BASE has. Most GL now is done legally in the daytime and USPA embraces it as an extension of Canopy Control training (just guessing). Really, Nobody does illegal GL (well, i am sure there are a few,but not many we hear about anyway) No dispersions meant against you Tree, just another viewpoint. t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Again, to piggyback on Sams post, which I agree with wholeheartedly. 1. If you do take a FJC, after you get back home, act like you didn't take one. What I mean is, don't think your FJC makes you ready to go BASE local. Still you should find a mentor (or, if you don't like that term, a local jumping buddy who is knowledgeable and willing to share]. Take your FJC knowledge and use it through a mentor. Hope this is clear, and is usually stated in most FJCs - that after the course you still need someone to help you on other objects. I always prefer to go on a "first time object" with someone who has been there before. Love those prejump briefings. 2. In all the FJCs I have seen at Twin Falls, I think I can count on one hand (or two at the most) the number of people who have stayed behind for further "self training" or just more experience. Sam was one of the ones who did stay extra and he may even have taken it a bit further than needed, throwing toggles away to experience riser landings, packing 180's - I think he tried to experience everything he might run into in self-induced mode! He profited by it, I am sure he will agree. Highly recomended to stay after your Perrine FJC for some more experience. I know it might me hard for some to get the extra time from "real life", but it is well worth it if you can. later, t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Vandev wrote: I would just like to bring up that Kjerag and Lauterbrunnen are VERY DIFFERENT PLACES! Requiring very different attitudes and reactions to problems - well, specifically I have 180 openings in mind. To me, Lauterbrunnen tries to kill me more than Kjerag does. The jumps you do in LB are the type that are most critical - those in the 6 to 11 second range with slider up. This is potentially much more dangerous than a longer delay off Kjerag. It is more likely to get an off heading with a slider and you are not delaying as long so aren't as far from the wall. I don't wingsuit, but I sure would choose kjerag over LB to begin BASE wingsuiting. Don't read too much between these lines, I am not trying to stir up controversy or give advice to those who know much more. As usual it is just my 2 krone worth. Spelling ain't as important as communication! t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

This morning's topic was "chute failure" and how I split this off and am replying to part of Nicks post, so I hope he reads this and replies if he wishes. Nick wrote: This is not the first time I have run into the idea that using the term "chute" is a bad thing. However, I think I started skydiving around the same time as you Nick [Though it was much later than you when I finally found my BASE guts]. I remember we always used the term chute when talking about our rigs. Where I started jumping, it was a often used expression. Maybe it was not used where you started jumping? Anyway, I was just wondering who else finds the use of this term nerve grating? I still use it at times, and am still surprised when it causes a negative reaction. Just passing time until The Man Show comes on :) later, t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

I have two base canopies with over 500 jumps each on them, so I'd say you are good to go for 200 odd terminal skydiving openings.

"HEY. These cookies don't taste anything like Girl Scouts!" ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

A friend of mine reports the below, word to the wise, etc.: ===================================== I got to experience “stinger heat” for the first time. It wasn’t a good thing. Trying to get that extra altitude, and seeing a new launch point, I went up to the very top, standing next to the base of the stinger. I didn’t stay there long, but I was there long enough that my left butt cheek and the back of my left leg felt like I was standing in front of a space heater. Once is enough for me. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

There was a man from PA in Twin falls around Memorial Day. His name was Jack and he was using a "Jack Strap" on his rear lines -- like 1/4 of a slider. I would like to ask him some questions, as I am not getting good results trying one out. Could anyone tell me (or PM me) his contact information, or ask him to contact me. Thanks, t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Can anyone tell me where I can buy some of the black rubber bands. I want small amounts, like a pound each of small and large (commonly used sizes for parachutes). I have searched for Ralph Ponce and skybands etc, but I don't think he does them anymore. Thanks, t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Hi Tree, Well, I don't agree that a 3-ring system is bombproof. It is a good system, but can fail (usually due to improper rigging or wear/age). The main thing on your post I want to point out is, that the closing loop has a much lower strength than 550 pounds. The loop is made of Type III SLEEVEING, not the whole cord with the inner strands. it is only the whole cord intact (not stripped of the inner strands) that is rated at 550 pounds. I don't remember the strength of the sleeve, but it is considerably less. It is somewhat subject to wear, and is the same thing as your pin closing loops are made of (usually). For BASE only (not skydiving) a more durable alternative MAY be the smallest braided line one could find - much stronger and wears better, though may require manual pulling and tugging to get a release (hence, NOT suitable for skydiving, but more "releaseable" than L bars for BASE). Another idea if one wanted to turn his 3 rings into a non releaseable system, is to just put the smallest french link through the loop. In emergency, the loop could be cut (oops, there goes another $80). If one wished a different set of hardware, then Capewell releases are quite sturdy, and having several break aways with them, I can say they work well when understood, properly assembled, and maintained/inspected -- like any other system. Another system one could possibly use for custom design harnesses is Koch releases or the Rocket Jet releases that were on Pioneer "piggyback" containers featuring "switchable" reserves (switchable from piggyback to chest mounts). I don't know if any real gain would be made using these other releases, but sure would get ya some conversation!! Since this isn't face to face, you may not be able to tell it is intended to be non-confrontational, so I add this disclaimer to that effect! later, t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Your problem with sinking has not been the case with me at all, though I load my BJ at about .70 or .71. I suspect the raising of the toggles will help you out tremendously. I can not only sink my BJ well, but can actually fly (or controlled slide if you must) it backwards.

Also, when changing configurations, put on your checklist to consider the status of your tailgate. You might want to stretch out the lines and run up the "tailgate" lines to ensure clearance and then engage the tailgate for slider down jumps, that is, if you didn't have it engaged, as some are doing now, for your slider up pack job. Yeah, its raining. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Hmmmm., well, perhaps there are other ways to look at this. For sure, if you look at my logbook, you can say your perception is true, by looking at each jump. BUT, if you look at each object, then the situation reverses, with Illegal being about 90%%. Or you can look at Winter Versus Summer. Summer will be about 98% legal and Winter about 98% illegal. Or by category, B will be 100% illegal, A will be 100% illegal, S will be about 99% legal, E will be about 99% legal. So, kind of depends on what you want to mean by "most" I guess. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Gee Tom, I can't help but think that using a slider would just have made it worse.

Quote A lot of car crashes involve alcohol. Have half the jumpers start getting wasted before the jumps and see what the fatality rate is... Quote Well, Ok, but you are gonna have a hard time getting that many BASE jumpers to sober up to make the ratio 50 - 50. Quote ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Hi Lonnie, Man ya know I like you but that just can't be right. I know I have been hurt a LOT more BASE jumping than I ever was in a car accident. How about you? ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Nick -- You Said: My advice is be more like an Aiello and less like a Vincent. That way the next time a pretty girl knocks on your door in the night you won’t be afraid to open it . . . Sorry Nick, I usually agree with you , but I know if a pretty girl knocked on Aiello's door in the night, He WOULD be afraid, very afraid. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

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OK, all interest may be lost by now, but I asked CR the question so I thought I may as well post the answer: =============questions================ 1. What is the reason the slider changed size, and does it relate to the small mesh? 2. Is the slider size related to the line change and correction of heading issues? 3. Do I need to get different sliders now that I have the line change? ===========Answer from CR============== The fine mesh slider has always been available and always been sized larger than the corresponding medium hole mesh. In comparison to the medium hole mesh, the fine mesh provides more consistent heading performance and softer openings at higher speeds. At low speed (3-4 sec) slider performance is similar but not as "edgy". People do use the fine mesh from objects like the Perrine without low opening troubles. The reasons for this are a result of both the material and dimensional differences. We changed the default slider to fine mesh when we did the steering line change as they were two changes helping achieve the desired result: More consistent slider up heading performance and opening speed. Should you get them anyway? It comes under the heading of -If it ain't broke....don't fix it. Only if you have issues with deployment heading consistency or hard slider up openings would I suggest you change the slider. Remember the steering line change address both of those issues. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

You Bet man, You SOBs play a mean game!! But I think I got lots of points, even if i needed more ladders than planned! Oh yeah, I tried something like that with my 3rd wife. I came into an inheritance, like about 80,000 dollars, back some time ago and she came home from work. I said, "Go pack your bags, I just got a bunch of money from Aunt Jinx and I am set to party." She said, well, should I pack for a warm climate or a colder one?" I said, "I don't care as long as you are gone by the time the pizza gets here." No, wait, that wasn't the same. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Yeah but BASE will get you through times of no Ovarians better than Ovarians will get you through times of no BASE. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.