rpersi

Just ask the USPA if a jump from a tall terminal wall cliff is considered a skydive....We all know what their answer will be.

I am guessing that is not a photo of your wife in the avatar!

I snapped this photo of my buddy Ken in Moab on Thanksgiving. Yesterday was quite an eventful day as well.

I currently schedule dog and cat food production at various pet food plants which has absolutely no relevance to BASE. However, I just put in my two weeks notice to schedule production for a company that pours molten alloys/metals into precision molds and machines/fabricates it into something useful.

I have not made a whole lot of skydives this year, probably the least in eight years. However, I find myself going to the DZ just to stay current at the very least. If I go a month without a skydive, I do not feel as comfortable under canopy on than if I recently did a hop n pop, CRW, RW, or even wingsuit. If sh!t goes bad on any jump, I want instincts to take over rather than having to think too much. Hesitation will make your worst fears come true (I think I heard that in the movie Point Break but it is sooooo true).

Anyone own a pair of these? If so, I'd like any feedback you can give. http://www.explore64.com/explore64/COL0148/large/c11/s21/Columbia-Bugabootoo-Winter-Boot-Mens.html?swatch=BWBBLA

I'm with Yuri on this one. This guy has posted 4500 times on this site while the moderator has 6700. See anything out of balance? Difference is, when Tom speaks, some meaningful is usually said. His posts remind me of that little annoying mosquito buzzing around that just won't go away. I know....bordering 2 weeks double secret probation so I will quit now.

This story was on Inside Edition last night. They played the tape when he was hanging on the wire while talking on his cell phone with the authorities. He was definitely scared.

"Are You In" from Incubus

Lowest - 180' Highest - (Italian Terminal Wall) The sign at the top says it is 1500 meters but have no idea if that is to the LZ or above sea level. Anyone know?

You may have already read this but learn accuracy with a large seven cell for the obvious reason of sinking and landing in tight areas in one piece. Also, get some one on one CRW training and I am not talking about doing a few stacks or locking someone up on a diamond. That stuff is relatively easy. Two way drill dives is harder than it sounds. Get proficient at this and you will understand how canopies fly and the different inputs. Good Luck.

T-Mobile stinks in this area.

Jason, Why do they need to import Rangers all the way from Yosemite? Surely, there are other closer National Parks. Also, don't the waivers we sign and videotape during registration mean anything when it comes to the insurance they want to implement?

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, "...holy shit...what a ride!"

I have a story along the same lines. My 8 year old daughter got in trouble because one of her little friends did something bad in school and egged my daughter on to do the same which she did. They were both caught. The teacher asked why my daughter imitated her friend and she could not find a reply (peer pressure situation of just trying to fit in). When the teacher asked if her friend jumped off a bridge, would you follow her? Without hesitation, my daughter fires off "My Daddy jumps off bridges!" Naturally, the teacher was not amused with this left field comment and scolded her for lying even though she tried adamantally to convince the adult with "But he does, he really does." The next parent teacher conference was quite interesting and we had a good laugh.

Here's a couple: "Anyone who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life" -Charles Darwin "A good scare is worth more than good advice" -Bantu Proverb

I agree with there should be no bar as its not one size fits all. Some people catch on more quickly than others and some people just never get it. Whatever path you choose, don't settle. You must have a trust level and comfort zone with that instructor. Eventually, YOU will be the person standing on top of XX structure deciding if this does not feel right and it is your ass on the line.

Kind of reminds me of the scene from "Fight Club" where the guys makes the applicants stand at attention on the front porch for three days. Just how bad do you wantto BASE? hehe

There was a picture in Parachutist within the past year of Clint landing in front of the Delicate Arch monument in Arches National Park. Maybe he can elaborate on how he got permission? It was an incredible photo.

I am with jamostar on this one. Has anyone missed the fact this person has not even gone through the static line course and is hell bent on getting BASE? After reading your comments, what is your motivation why you want to get this? I'm not trying to be a jerk but do a poll on the EXPERIENCED people who frequent this board and ask them how friends have been lost and bones broken in this sport. You have no experience, little or no training, and have no idea what kind of skydiver you will be let alone be able to take it to the next level such as BASE. Don't trick yourself into thinking I have XX amount of jumps so now I can start trying a hand a BASE. That mindset is an accident waiting to happen.

http://www.lottie-aston.com/ Try this....

I did my first terminal BASE at the Italian wall and it was a little intimidating to be honest. A local (who had 150 jumps just at this site) took me to the top and said take a 7-8 second delay since this was my first big wall experience. Opening in that range should put you 35-40 meters away from the wall on opening. The second after realizing I had a good canopy over my head, I looked behind me and he was right. Just be aware of the winds and it helps to have communication on the ground. Nobody at the restaurant spoke English when I was there last year but that may be different now. Learning a little Italian could not hurt, especially when ordering that magnificent food. Have fun and be safe.

My contribution....

I pack my pilot chute inside the rig when field packing to avoid any confusion.

Field pack your rig after jumping rather than just balling it up in a stash bag. Takes up less space and I get stopped for questioning much less when field packing. At the very most, they just swabbed my rig to test for traces of explosives. Randy