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What BASE experience is suggested for cave BASE? I feel that cave BASE would be the most comfortable and satisfying first for me.....(need feedback)

I am not a BASE jumper.
Skydive with and around quite afew for many years-watched many videos. I can relate to experiencing BASE but the landing area, rivers...water, rocks...traffic, busy streets, power lines...(no thanx)This I have chalked up to not enough confidence with accuracy skills. I've made 36 round jumps, 860 jumps under a 220 cruise-lite and 120 under my 150 triathlon.

This season a buddy has downloaded to my harddrive, the most incredible personal footage of his cave BASE.
I am estatic about experiencing this....watching the footage, slowing it down to still by still, I am so in awe...and have decided this is my goal-

...what steps should I take to reach it?

Smiles

From what I understand the big one is accuracy.

The bottom of the cave is huge, but the landable area is very small, maybe 50x50 feet.

I am in Tampico now, having just finished eight days at the Cave with the Norgies (big thanks to Stein, Vibeke and Ronnie!).

I would say that the Cave is an intermediate level object. To jump it safely you must be able to take five second delays (underdelay is quite dangerous), and hit a reasonable BASE landing area.

The Norgies require 50 BASE jumps to get onto their trip. I am not sure about prerequisites for other expeditions, but that sounds about right to me.

I wil try to write a bit more detail once I get back to California the day after tomorrow.

landing area in footage I have looks like a piece of cake.....(cave of swallows) have no problem with 5 sec. delays, can land in the peas every skydive (flare) but also have huge 1200 ft. long -no obstacle grass field !!
Encouraging knowing after 50 BASE jumps I could cave BASE.....incredible you just spent 8 days

Would you go again? How much $$$ for expedition?
How much physical strength required (climbing-repelling...working a winch??) How many women have experienced??

Would luv to hear all you can share when you have the time!

Thanx~
Smiles

At your level of experience (1000 jumps, flying a 7 cell), I doubt the landing area is going to be a problem for you. Still, it can be spooky the first couple times.


How do you know? I had trouble taking 5 seconds on my first two jumps at the Cave. It's really spooky to be falling with cliff walls all around you.


In a heartbeat. That Cave is probably the most amazing object I have ever even conceived of, let alone jumped.


The Norwegian expedition cost around US$2000 (depending on the exchange rate to the NKR). That's quite a bit cheaper than the Aerial Extreme expedition. I've heard that Adrenaline Exploits is planning a Cave or Cave/Copper Canyon combo trip, but I'm not sure how much that will cost (BASEhoundSam? Any word?)


Very little. There is no climbing or rapelling involved, as the winch does 95% of the work. You do have to do some manual rope hauling and stacking, but anyone ought to be able to handle it.



One of the Norgie organizers, Vibeke Knutson, is a woman. If you'd like to get her email address, PM or email me and I'll pass it along. She should be able to give you a good idea of what's involved (assuming she made it home after the all night party last night in Tampico).

MMMM, I can't WAIT to BASE the cave, but I can assure you, I'll be hopping in from the ground above, not falling into from a helicopter 500 ft up like a few of those guys did. That is where I draw the line

the vids ive seen of that...wow..mindblowing..

i'm hoping to get instruction/rig early next year..maybe by early 04 i'll be able to make it down there..

 

Spooky? The footage I have been watching (Sotano de las Golondrinas) clearly shows the astounding visuals. One BASE the jumper has camera mounted to his belly (see pic attached)
The walls seem to drop away after first couple of seconds- being enclosed by cave walls I feel would enhance the "speed" and sensation of the whole 5 sec. delay....
Watching the footage repetively as I have, is good training to prepare for actual jump. It is way easier to visualize and time the 5 sec. delay. The sound of swallows & parrots is quality in the footage also.
Up here in Vancouver, Canada- beginning and end of season skydiving- I used to pack for "hop & pops"- then got away from doing them. Now I have a goal to cave base- will definately get into 5 sec. delays which may help- also making 500 BASE jumps to prepare along with accuracy confidence....

Is there a website with info on this trip?
Sounds like the adventure of a lifetime....
Presently I am using the footage I have to animate cave base (cartoon)...will add link when complete.

Thanxs so much for the info,

Smiles

Adrenaline Exploits

There is no web site for the Norgie trip (it's the lowest cost solution, so they pretty much don't have to market it around), but you can get more info by emailing Vibeke Knutson at vibknuts@online.no.

Reviews for the cave: http://www.blincmagazine.com/reviews/Training/

I have just posted several photos from the 2002 Norwegian Cave BASE expedition.

Cave McConkey

Horny Gorilla

Gainer

Flat and Stable

Front Loop

Two Way Linked

Enjoy!