Basejumper.com - archive

So I was sitting there thinking of all the crazy experiences I have had since last November, and I wanted to see what others have taken from their first year in this lifestyle. I realized the more I jump and learn, the more afraid I become, or maybe the more I realize how dangerous it all really is. It began as something of a "next step" for me and has turned into the single thing I think about most on a day to day basis. Starting with the legal bridge I thought about danger, but not that much, as that can be a pretty safe jump, but moving on to solid objects, sketchy landings, figuring winds on "B"s all by ourselves, climbing "A"s, guy wires... I tend to leave my house with a lot more reluctance than I used to, and I think a lot more about the fact that it could be the last time I leave. Anyway, what has changed from that first jump?
Adam

I think we all go through phases in our jumping careers. When I first started jumping, I thought I was invincible. I had a good head on my shoulders, and I was convinced I would never get injured. BASE jump #193 proved me wrong with a broken ankle at Bridge Day 1997. After that, I guess I respected the sport more, and realized that it's not if, but when you get hurt. Even the best get all busted up. If you haven't gotten hurt yet, you're just plain lucky.

Over the years, you try aerials or shoot a ton of video. After you've gotten pretty good at those skills, you go back to flat and stable (sans camera) and enjoy the groundrush. Geez, nobody goes flat and stable anymore!

Then, a bunch of your good friends die and you ask yourself if it's really worth it. Add a wife or child into the equation and it gets even tougher to figure out. But in the long run, it is always worth it. I still get scared on each jump - probably more than ever now that I know all the crazy things that have happened to other jumpers and the different ways I can die. I'll always be a BASE jumper - and I'll always be BASE jumping.....even when they have to roll my wheelchair off the exit ramp at Bridge Day 40 years from now.

Hee, hee.... Can I do it that way next year!?!

It's not my first year but when I moved to Moab almost 2 years ago, I had only 40 jumps and then I did 130 jumps in 6 months. 90% in Moab and the other up in Potato land. So like Jason said, you think your invinsible.

Your never invinsible. Don't ever think that you are!

Then my jumping buddy for the winter went in, seen it up close and personal. PC not attached.

I then got really scared everytime I jumped. THen I saw video of another guy breaking both of his femurs, hips, ankles, etc. And of couse lost of other video that have popped up in the past year or so.

Like Adam said, the more experience you have, the scarrier it is!

Be safe in the next year! Well, just be safe for today. Take one day at a time!

-

he he that could be cool to see.. he he