base570

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But, let me recommend you do some (a lot) of tards off the P. Bridge before you try it off other stuff. I say that because I really do believe the probablility for off heading is more on the tard, at least when learning. Of courese, your mileage may vary, but I had one of the neatese, quickest, cleanest 180 openings on a tard at the bridge. Personal taste is always sour though I guess.
Hey, answer my email I sent you, unless you didn't get it.
Again, glad you came out ok. I recently had a 200 left opening on a similar tower, but 320feet high.
Good news: I missed the building, the tower, and the fence.
Bad news: I hit the tree.
Gooder news, I am ok but the canopy had to go to the repair hospital.
Be careful man, cause you is one of my fabvorite people [at least during the holidays :)] .
Gee, don't you people have any taller towers around there? I wouldn't jump those low ones :)

later,
t

I was just joking about the TARD thing. I won't be trying that!
Glad to see you came out OK on your jump even if your canopy did not. My canopy has a few fabric stretches on the left stabilizer and 2 small cuts on the stabilizer near the slider stops. Overall it wasn't too bad.

570

When I started BASE jumping the BASE prophets always said that if your in the sport long enough you'll eventually have an object strike and as much as I didn't want to believe this I knew deep down that it was true, one day I would be faced with hitting an object. Well, on Good Friday '04 that prophecy finally came true for me. It was a perfect day for jumping light winds warm temps and plenty of sunshine. Our group headed out to our local favorite 271ft "A" for an evening of jumping. The 4 of us reached the top about 7pm and proceeded to flick off. 3 freefalls and a PCA later everyone was 'big eyed and grinning'. 2 of us decided to make a second jump so we grabbed our gear and headed back up to do a 'roll-over'. Jumper one goes and has a 45 off heading to the left, now it's my turn for my 5th roll-over. I lower my canopy down and prepare to launch. There is a slight crosswind (2-3mph) from left to right, should be no problem. I check everything one last time and push off. As I'm rotating over my canopy I watch it turn slightly and I become almost mesmerized and transfixed. I watched it for too long and when the canopy sprung to life I was looking at it and not out in front of me. In the split second it took to look down from the canopy and get my bearings the parachute came alive and became very angry. It whipped open right back at the tower and I torked my body in the harness to try to keep it from going further left and grabbed for the steering lines, I looked at the tower and I knew it was going to be close and I actually thought to myself 'whew I'm going to make it' the all of a sudden my forward momentum ceases and I start to go backwards. I think 'oh shit, I clipped it'. The next thing I know I'm being slammed into the steel. On the second hit I'm able to grab something and hold on. I'm now at about 160ft with a sore ass and a canopy draped on the side of a tower I quickly call down to the ground and let them know I'm OK and proceed to get to a more secure location, and not hang from the rig anymore. I get out of my harness and climb up to release the canopy, by this time one friend is already half way up the tower and he grabs part of the canopy and begins to real it in. This whole process takes about 5 minutes and then we're climbing back down to the ground. What a strange feeling that is... jumping from a tower but never actually landing your parachute! I came out of this relatively unscathed; a few cuts and bruises. I'm a bit pissed at myself for watching the canopy for so long but you live and you learn I guess.... Next time I'll try the TARD instead
So the BASE prophets are right again. I thought at one point in my career I might prove them wrong but alas in the end it is I that is wrong. It took me 487 jumps to fulfill their prophecy, when will you be faced with the inevitable???

Stay safe,
Jason M.
BASE 570
Naked BASE #15

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there are some day sites to jump, and you dont have to be stealthy on all jumps...........

Just make sure you know which ones are and which ones aren't. We don't want any more sites to get hot around here, if you know what I mean.

Peace,
570

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Personally I hate peg climbs

570

Personally, I don't like having to climb my fat ass up anything, but you boys won't take me to an elevator yet...

Ganja

Don't group me with those losers down there They haven't taken you because they don't jump anymore (well, at least sites that aren't within 1mile of there homes). They are just in it for the # and the fame that comes with it. Anyway you have to earn your altitude most of the time... so get used to it. I'll be in Chester next weekend doing some kick ass 4way so maybe we can get out and make a jump while I'm in the area.

Peace, 570

Make sure you check to see it the pegs go all the way to the top on the side you decide to climb. Some have pegs only up to a certain point then stop. I guess it's for working on the equipment. Also, getting around the dishes might be a bit tricky on those peg climbs if they are bolted on the leg

Personally I hate peg climbs

570

I try to do about 2 a week/100 per year. I have been doing that for the last 3.5 years. Before that I was making 1 or less per week/20-50 per year. The first few years I only made a handfull, maybe 10. I have definitly picked up the pace from when I started and I guess it's because I'm more confident and there are more people to jump with around here. Plus, I know which objects are easier to get in and out of quickly and with little confrontation. Now after 7.5 years BASE jumping I'm inching closer and closer to the elusive 500 mark. I'm around 480 so I should be there by 4/20/04. Any suggestions on how to mark this milestone jump??
WooHoo can't wait!!!


Peace, 570

oh yeah, I'm in the same boat as you with close legal sites(none)... I'm in the state directly North of you.

Dear Ray and Spence,
while I do agree that my monkey did have an attitude problem and he didn't much like being told what to do, I will have to say that his untimely demise is because of the lack of supervision you had for your students. You can clearly see in that picture that was taken just a few moments before his last jump that he was not in his right frame of monkey mind. Look into his eyes what do you see? Not the fun loving monkey we all love but rather a lifeless gaze. You may not know what was on his mind but I do. These are his words in a letter to me written the day he died: "Eeeeak eeeak oooh ooh, ooooh eeak eeeeeeeeeaaaakkkk". You should be ashamed and apologetic for your other students behavior. This is truly horrible and no-one should ever be tortured like this. I know monkey jokes are funny but this was taking it too far.
I do apologize for the torn up gear, I think he was just reaching out for help.

I expect to be fully compensated for my loss of course. A fair settlement will be...
1. An apology from the 3 individuals who perpetrated this horrible act that drove him to take the drugs before he jumped and killed himself.
2. A name change for your company to include an asterisk * after the term "Bounce Proof" indicating "except mentally tortured, drug taking monkeys"
3. $50 US (not Canadian) to cover half the cost of the cool monkey skull drinking cup and bone sculpture I'm having made from his remains
4. 2 free slots at an upcoming Ray and Spence Bounce Proof* BASE Course.

If you will agree to these terms we can settle out of court.
Thanks for your time,
BASE 570

* except mentally tortured, drug taking monkeys.

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