Basejumper.com - archive

So, I'm used to the visuals at pull-time on a regular terminal BASE jump. The way I got there, I suppose, was that I went to some big walls where someone told me, "It's x seconds to impact, but if you aren't tumbling like an idiot you should be able to take at least y seconds." On the first jump, I counted to y and had a good look at the ground coming up. Next time, I counted to y and then waited a couple seconds more before pitching. And so on.

However, one thing I've heard fairly consistently about wingsuit BASE is, "Don't wait for the familiar feeling of groundrush, because if you usually pull at 300 feet, you'll be pulling around 100 feet with a wingsuit."

I'm getting set to do my first wingsuit BASE jump from a 1200-foot wall with about 2000 feet of high-angle talus below that. I've done a couple of jumps from this one before, but I haven't got any reliable accounts of wingsuit flights from here. So I have no one who can tell me, "Try 30 seconds for starters, then work your way up from there." What I'm wondering is, how should I judge pull-time? If groundrush is out, then I'm thinking either (a) I could use a conservative count based on the altitude available to me or (b) I could use some kind of visual reference on the opposite side of the valley.

I'd like to hear any pointers on how to judge altitude the first few jumps, and also maybe any first-hand accounts of first wingsuit BASE jumps which might give me an idea what to expect. Thanks!

Michael

I have never heard of anybody trying to count seconds on a wingsuit flight It would not be accurate enough anyway, and pretty much pointless. Instead i'd suggest being conservative at the beginning and pulling high, using the ground as a visual reference but not waiting for the groundrush.

I run into unintentional low pulls problem after about a hundred of wingsuit BASE flights. Somehow it was not an issue until then, but your mileage may vary.

The problem is usually being fixated on making a landing area or a specific landmark. If you are just flying around, the altitude is easier to perceive correctly.

bsbd!

Yuri.

If you have a MP3 Player with voice record you can record yourself saying the seconds(up to whatever),and you can figure what delay you want to take.I believe you can also plug a mic into your computer,and record toMP3,WAV,WMA format...
THIS SHOULB BE USED AS SECONDARY TO YOUR EYES OF COURSE.Hope this helps.

Not that I am by any means Experienced, but I found after my first 2 jumps, that counting, In ANY form, takes away from whatever else i could be paying attention to. I dont count to exit, (alone, at least. multiway is kinda needed), and i dont count in freefall. At all.

I would say, use visuals and feel always. Even on a moonless night off a tower you can feel where you are, and if your in doubt, dont jump or pull high. 10 seconds in shorts and a tshirt is a lot deeper than 10 seconds in a flysuit...

pull high, until you know.

But what if the battery runs flat while your half way through the count will you wait to see if its the battery or pull LOL

If you were to read the entire post it says it is to be used as secondary.And if you are not smart enough to put in new batteries then you shouldn't be jumping.

ALWAYS ONE IN EVERY CROWD!!!!

I have a suspision that there are more than just one inthis crowd.

I have less than a dozen WS BASE flights, all but 2 are off of towers in the dark. Personally, on the first couple my sensory overload was such that I opened high without really trying, I mean if you are used to taking 12 off an object, and suddenly you find yourself in 'freefall' for 14 or more seconds, my mental clock said PULL!! Once I got over the sketchiness of the exit, I began to FLY, so you watch for references, what worked for me was watching a tree line that I was used to seeing from above, once I could make out individual branches, at night, it was time to pull. This scenario only works sometimes as other flights have been done over open fields with NO trees or reference points. In this situation, I still rely on my eyes, and KNOW that groundrush is NOT going to be the same as a non WS jump. I can definitely see how someone with Outrager's experience can find themselvs low....like trying to make a LZ etc....but for someone with little experience like myself, I just remind myself that if I can't see OVER the horizon, I maybe getting too low, if you can't see anything but trees and ground, well its probably over already
The other issue I have, is so far most flights require some sort of navigation...meaning I have to turn at least once before opening or risk landing in trees, and you MUST remember that you will lose more altitude in the turn than on a long straight flight pattern. All in all, I think Mike has the right approach, stay conservative for a while, feel it out, enjoy it, and open high. There is plenty of time later to humm-it to the basement () or fly across the fjord etc.
One of my favorite parts of the WS BASE jump, is the auditory senses you get that are quite different than a terminal non WS BASE jump....at least on the GTI. On the faster suits the difference you hear may be negligible.
Like I said, I am a TOTAL ROOKIE on WS BASE with less that 12 flights, so seek GOOD advice and plan you flights accordingly.
FWIW, it changed me forever, and is absoluetly the MOST fun I've had jumping yet. TRUE FLIGHT!! Can't wait for my first 2 or more way, that would definitely top solos!!

Later
Blair

PS the VSF is quite nice on WS BASE too!! right Yuri

I would suggest: do a nice stable exit, fly untill you are sure you are far enough from the wall in a case of offheading/linetwist with wings (should not take more than 7-8secs. of good flying). Then pull, even it feels high. I think that the overall time of the first wingsuit jump would be quite the same as you have jumping the place without wings and burning it low. Just my thoughts with about 20 ws basejumps.

Sorry you took me seriously

NO WORRIES!!