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A beautiful low pull by Batman in the famous Swiss valley this easter. The clip is a teaser for a longer piece in memory of our late friend J.T, who is also featured in this clip.

It'd be nice if someone could make it a clicky:)

http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=2159

Enjoy!

CJ =)

http://www.skydivingmovies.com/...ion=file&id=2159

A beautiful low pull ??? I'd rather say "a very stupid low-pull"...

Am I the only one on this planet taking conservative delays ??? Or am I just untalented or unable to do these "cool" low-pulls ???

sorry CJ, I had to let this out...

Gil

That's all good Gil. I understand exactly what you mean, and I do agree. When JB first showed me this clip I slapped him around the head verbaly. We just lost a dear friend due to a too late pull, though that wasn't taking it low intentionally. We both agreed that this was indeed stupid. It's no way you can say that was a safe deployment altitude, but JB is a notorious low-puller who at this jump took it as low as he could and learned a lesson. Obviously this isn't in anyway reccomended behaviour. However, when the jump was successful, JB got what he was after (and will hopefully adjust his deployment altitude accodringly) and the video turned out like it did: I think it was a beautiful jump... Maybe beautiful is a weid word to use. I'll leave it at: real cool!

I'm also one who takes conservative delays most of the time. We've did a four way together a few years ago and I remember you hanging lower than me Gil

I'll be in the valley from Sunday on. I hope the weather turns good and that we can hook up an do a two way and share a beer Gil.

CJ =)

Is this an official Phoenix Fly video like the ones Mrs. Pecnik uploads? Valley name was spelt incorrectly.

Fly Pants make you pull low, and its like cocaine! Everyone should be awere of the side effects of a good flight!You just d-o-n-t want to pull! Its just to fun! And the ground does not look that scary!

Be warned, and be carefull!

No Willy, this is not an "official" PF video.

PF does not recommend pulling low *cough*

I usually think of it as being "grown up." Many of us go through our "teen age" BASE jumping years, doing some pretty foolish stuff. Some of us are fortunate enough to go through that phase skydiving (where there is less potential for injury). I know I went through it, because I've got the scars to prove it. I like to think I'm over it now.

Hi folks, just some comments from the Videomaker & Flyer/jumper. YES, that is just to low and we all know it. That was the fourth jump an that wall in two days, and the road was getting closer and closer in a "must-get-past-that-line-thingy" kind of way.
That means i got really comfortable with the jump, and packed a 38' PC so that i could go low on that jump. After that i had to call it a day for the wall in some time, just becaurse the ground was starting to transform itself into rubber. (yes i know, 30cm of snow is NOT a world made of rubber...)
So folks, what can i say. Glad to have been there just to see what it looks like, and glad i don't have to do it again...

/Johnnyb

P.S. I did pull in a respectable altitude on the Brento-jump, so i could have grown a bit...

Hey Guys !

Nice must say, we were with 13 Belgian jumeprs this weekend in the Valley, we jumped our PF suits also and past the way also only we had a 15 sec canopy flight...;-)

PF rulezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 Valley name was spelt incorrectly.
Um, I think you Spelt the word Spelled wrong

What's funny is that I've seen videos of Dwain, Yuri, and Pecnik all with shorter canopy rides than this one (and all from WS flights too), and in the threads where I found those videos the comments were all unanimously positive toward the low-pullers.

How can I watch a .mp4 file?

.mp4 files will play in quicktime.

Dave

 
"low pulls, ha, they're easy. You just do nothing for a bit longer"

(I think the part of the WS BASE guidelines that talks about "deceptive" groundrush is applicable to those using track / smoke pants.)

I must have missed that.

I did however, see this post in which Yuri urges people to pull higher, and this one in which Yuri says that his low pull was unintentional.

JB is fairly well known and experienced. I don't think this is a case of people having different reactions based on the skill (or connections) of the jumper. We all know that he's got the skills.

What's funny is that I've seen videos of Dwain, Yuri, and Pecnik all with shorter canopy rides than this one (and all from WS flights too), and in the threads where I found those videos the comments were all unanimously positive toward the low-pullers.

I disagree.

The reduced fallrate and reduced vertical altitude used during a wingsuit deployment does NOT make it "safe" to pull low.

Chances of deployment problems are increased. By the armwing getting in the way, PC in the burble, hard opening to due high forward speed, line twists due to swing through deployment, time required to free arms and legs, reacting to line twists etc.

IMO If you pull at 450' for norm FF it would not be a good idea to go any lower with a WS on.

I wasn't implying it had to do with the jumpers or their "names", just that it seemed to me in the past that I had seen more positive comments toward this stuff. And I do remember Yuri saying his low pull was unintentional, but I also seem to remember he pointed that out AFTER several people said "awesome!".

It's a weird situation I guess because based on our nature (as jumpers, no I'm not BASE yet), we like to see hardcore stuff and like to think "awesome!" in our heads based on how cool it looks, even if we might be yelling "dumbass!" based on how close to death we know the jumper came...

Um, no I didn't.

I did not say it was wise! But if everything worked OK, and shit can happen even without a WS, I'd reather pull at 150' with a WS than without.

Seven BASE wingsuit fatalities in the last four years, how many in skydiving?

What is your point? I really don't get it?

 
Just out of interest, do you wingsuit BASE jump?

Hold on, you can't claim you speakz breetish iingleesh

Hello Kevin Mcguire!!!
I hope you are well.Send me an e mail at this address vranklp@hotmail.com I have nothing important to tell you but I interested to hear how you are.Take big care Vrank LP

I personally really respect the low pullers out there in base that are practiced and good at it - not to say that is what happened here - more of an off tangent remark.

There was a time in skydiving when some deaths are being attributed to "target fixation." I never totally agreed with that theory and thought it a catch all answer when no one could figure out what a person was doing instead of deploying. Wingsuit skydivers (as a rule) just don't go low enough to become entranced.

Now if a rogue DZ opened somewhere that catered only to low pulling wing suited skydivers they'd probably catch up in a hurry . . .

The phenomenon however, seems very real in wingsuit BASE jumping. And why?

Because jumpers are being seduced by the very thing that brought them to BASE jumping in the first place. While I've never experienced it myself, skimming along low in a wingsuit is probably the closest thing to the dreams we've all had about flight.

Peter Garrison, a writer for FLYING magazine, said it like this;
"In occasional dreams I run hard and then with a strenuous and indescribable motion of the thorax, I launch myself into flight. I remain airborne through sheer concentration, sweeping along close to the ground. The sensation is profoundly pleasurable and I have never found a way to duplicate it in waking life."

NickD
BASE 194

Hey KevDaddy...

Check your private messages...

Thx.
K

I could not agree more Nick. Hence the thrill of swooping, fast low passes flying an ariplane, and such. In full flight at altidude there is no point of reference. The closer to the ground the more the notion of speed becomes clear.

It's all relative...

Kent Lane, first off on Carl Boenish's 1978 El Cap load said, "For the first time in my jumping career, I was dosed with pure velocity . . ."

NickD
BASE 194

Your moer - I has deeplomatik immoonity!

Johnny, you rule!

P.S. We can discuss "growing up" in detail over a few lines sometime this summer

bsbd!

Yuri.

Someone else said they tracked so far away from the cliff they couldn't get that sensation of speed anymore, so they turned around and tracked back at it!

I hope they got nice 180 on opening

I'm looking forward to that Yuri, altso got some nice new stuff just up you alley. It's Pretty, it's hight and it's jumpable Nice mix

Play Safe

/Johnnyb

I don't know what is more stupid, "Pulling low", "posting those videos here" or "thinking that this is cool"...

Maybe I am just as old and conservative as Gil ;-)...

On my personal "stupid-scale" that would be "Pullong low" & "posting those videos here" My problem is that i think a combination is kind of cool and you girls yapping about it still makes my day, let's play (had to sneak in a rime there...)

Well, personally I both posted the video here, and still find it pretty cool. I've already admitted to not being one who pulls low, but I can't help but being fascinated by those who have a lot of experience and are able to conduct those kind of jumps. I remember watching a video of DW passing through the wires of an antenna in the States, flying his WS, pulling real low. DW is the most skilled and talented base jumper I ever met. Also this might differ from what some other jumpers think, but I saw him as a safe base jumper too. He was pushing the envelope, but everything was well planned and he had the skills. Watching his jumping was, and still is, an amazing thing for me.

Same goes for the French Soul Flyer who flew down the hills with his wingsuit in Verbier very, very close to the ground. This is something along the same lines. An extremely talented person, who can do this and make it something great. Because it's obvious it's not a stunt, but rather a well planned flight. He was even named skydiver of the year for that jump.

To me it's a great inspiration and a lot of fun to watch these videos, but I know a lot of people I wouldn't have liked to see doing the same stuff. Myself included. Base jumping is an activity with relatively small margins and taking it low doesn’t help improving these. However: from time to time someone does jumps where they’re humming it down, or does something that most of us will never experience. I wouldn’t say this is sensible, but still – for me - this is inspiring and I personally find it cool as long as every thing goes well and it’s “the right person for the job”; others might find it shocking or provocative. We’re all different, and it’s all good.

I like life best when I’m laughing and inspired. Having friends like JB makes this an easy task

CJ =)

its not big
its not clever
its not cool
its just very fucking lucky

just a hesitation or a fumble away from getting a nice sub100 number.......

Taking about friends CJ, just doing some spring cleaning and found the storry about "jonas & jeg" from you and erika. Just got to say; "Can i eat that flower..."

Holly molly That's just fabulous! Would like to reread that piece at some point!

Flower power...

CJ =)

Nice CJ [;)
I was sad Icause I couldn’t join you guys that weekend at wall…
When I am thinking about low pulls which were done by my friends and by my self, I can only say that it happens occasionally and that common to all those pulls were the fact that we were 100% concentrate on that.
I would never recommend to anyone to perform that, but we all know that this is part of the BASE too.
...so all in all be careful and try to be convinced that you know what you doing!

PS. I can't forget Jeb's WS low pull in CH few years ago!
This one I need to find somewhere and post, because this was the shortest canopy ride I ever saw in my life. (have no intention to open the competition here, just saying -it was totally cool to see that)

Just want to follow up low pulls! Low pulls happens more often now than before, and like Robert say, you have to make a good plan if you intend to pull low! I know Johnny did his homework before he made this jump, but it can quick turn very very wrong! Lately we had two water landings at our favorite cliff! And both was due to low pulls! Case one he have an old canopy, and it snivels alittle bit in the opening, land in the water! The second one missed his pilot chute, thought he had pulled, but nothing happend, and he found the pilotchute in the pocket, he pulls, get canopy, and land in the water! Both of this happenings could have gone much worse!


Low pulls can go wrong:

If you you have a pilotchute delay!
If you have a snivel opening!
if you miss the pilotchute!
If you hit building,rocks, trees etc in the landing!
If you have an linetwist!
And water can easily kill you if you do not have an rescue boat!


And now my questions:

What if you have an 180 opening, and a fast flight like Johnny had?
What if you have cross wind slightly from back, and you open down wind?
What can these to scenarios do to your opening?

I just love to see pics and vids like this, I also like to have my friends still with me on the next jump!

---

Yesterday I had a longer talk with two of my friends on the very subject we are discussing here and got some new inputs. They are both highly experienced skydivers, one of them with some base experience. In Norway the base-scene is rather big, and we all know a lot of long-timers and newbies to the sport. It was interesting to take the discussion on a different level rather than if it’s cool or not.

What I gather from the views shared in this thread is that everyone clearly understand and agree that pulling low, intentional or not, is adding a significant extra potential for serious injury or death. Safety is a core value in our activity, and obviously this kind of jumping should not be encouraged or lobbied. Hence some simply find it stupid while others think it’s quite cool to watch these jumps. Inbetween there are shades of grey.

What my friends were more concerned with was the effect these kind of videos can have on less experienced and new jumpers. If highly profiled, and other experienced jumpers, are pro this type of jumping in an open forum, could it be that we send signals that the more risky type of jumping - like some aerials and low pulls – is something that will increase your chances of gaining credibility in the base community? Could it then be that some jumpers would choose to attempt jumps they are not qualified for solely for the purpose of getting their back padded? If so would it be more correct to avoid making these videos accessible for the general public and enjoy them amongst experienced jumpers only – or make sure that inexperienced jumpers are getting the right commentary and inputs while watching them? Or is it so that a discussion like the one going here now is sufficient to give people enough inputs to understand the risks involved and the mindset of those performing high risk jumps?

If we compare base jumping to say alpine skiing, it would be impossible for me to copy a run by the greatest athlets. If I were using the exact same kind of equipment, it would take years and years of training before I even got close to the level they’re at, but I’m certain I would never get there. Same goes with climbing. It takes a lot of training and experience to climb the very famous wall in the beautiful national park in CA. Jumping it and pulling very low I could do on my first jumps...

It’d be interesting to hear what people think of the responsibility we as jumpers who have been around to those with less experience and air-time.

CJ =)

I think it's really a matter of personal choice. If you know, and accept, the extra risk, then you are making a choice. If, on the other hand, you are an inexperienced jumper who is doing it to be "cool" without really understanding the risks, I think that's not not so good.

I think that very many experienced jumpers have done things like this, or gone through stages where they were doing these kinds of things all the time.

I do understand the problems with setting an example, and they are large, but my opinion has been that most of the experienced people I see doing these types jumps are not doing them for the effect on the onlookers (i.e. they don't care if the jumpers watching think it's "cool", they are doing it for themselves). So long as you're not doing it specifically to impress newbies with how "cool" you are, I don't think you're going too far. You should still consider the site (and potential effects on other jumpers of the extra risks you are taking--so avoid access sensitive sites with these jumps).

I do not think that we can eliminate this type of jumping. Even if we could, eliminating it might fundamentally alter the feel of BASE jumping. This kind of risk taking is part and parcel of who we are and what we do. Would we, or BASE, be the same without it?

Without eliminating this, though, we can control it. That means we can do it in places where an accident will have minimal effect on other jumpers (i.e. the site will stay open), and in ways that will not encourage new jumpers (who may not fully understand all the risks) to emulate it.

I think that perhaps this is the reason that you sometimes appear to see very different reactions to this kind of thing, depending on the jumper, and the circumstances of the jump.

In this particular case, the cause for concern I see (on the above criteria) is that the two Swiss jumpers to have posted both expressed concern I wonder if this has to do with their concern for access issues in the area, and the effect an accident might have on them?