Re: [CFPasi] BASE CRW jumps
Hello --
This doesn't qualify as "BASE CRW History", but maybe it will help to generate other stories.
In March of 2001, I was standing on a 310ft cliff with Dwain, Nik, and a few other jumpers. Nik was still cursing about the absolutely heinous climb that we made to get up there. I couldn't help but agree with him -- I had already decided that down-climbing was not an option should the winds not be favorable enough to jump. But as it was, winds were non-existant and good ol' Nik went off in his usual flailing style, hand-bag and all. Dwain was filming and over the next 10 minutes or so, all the other jumpers went until it was just Dwain and I standing there.
Dwain looked over at me with the camera and said, you ready mate? I said sure, but it was my 222nd jump and I was wondering if he wanted to do a 2-way. Always being one for added excitement, Dwain's face lit up with excitement and he quickly put his camera away.
We decided that we would launch at the same time, side-by-side and with about 25 ft between us. Dwain would do a go-and-throw and I would take a 1 1/2 second delay. (Disclaimer: this is not enough seperation should you have an off-heading, so don't try this at home!)
Then Dwain said, you know mate, a 2-way on your 222nd jump....we should do a 2-stack after opening! Excellent, I replied.
It was a ludicrous jump but actually quite normal by Aussie standards. With nothing more said, it was 3..2..1..C-ya.
Both of us had perfect on-headings and like a dog in heat, Dwain moved right in. His feet just got to the topskin of my canopy when we were forced to abandon our efforts for 2 very late flares and subsequent hilarious landings. There's simply not much time on a 310ft freefall!
Nik gave us an earful for our stupidity, and of course this made Dwain's smile even bigger. Time spent with the two of them is time well remembered. And I'm convinced that Valhalla is stronger with those two together once again...
Bryan
