Basejumper.com - archive

Sorry for the delay, however the revamped UHUCK.com site is now up. We are still working out a few kinks/ typos. Check it out
Thanks,
The Uhuck.com Team

webdesign wouldn't take such an excessive amount of time if you didn't use pictures to represent all the text on your site... wtf

Andrew,
We had to get the new site up and running ASAP. I had my computer crash on friday AM and all html, slices, graphics files were corrupt when I was finally able to reboot. This was the quickest way completely redesign to get it back up in two days. Now I am going back, taking each section, and creating html textual versions. I am glad to see you are offering your professional opinion in every way possible to support the cause.

Maybe you would like to take over running the entire website side of Uhuck? This is not being asked in a condescending manner. If you are strong in this area, we could use the help. It would definitely take the load off of my hands. It is hard enough spending a couple of grand and many all-nighters over the past week for a thankless / sleepless job designing the website, designing / developing and printing the press and sponsorship kits, marketing materials, and paying my P.A. to do the Uhuck effort after hours to relieve some of the monotonous parts of what we are doing. I would say it is still better than being one of the naysayers on this board that hopes the efforts fail.

The more people complain, the happier we are. People tend to take action when they are pissed. Maybe us being the thorn in everyones side will finally make the BASE community get off of their asses and be proactive. Negativity fuels us and this board is Exxon. People can and have said negative things about Robin and Jason, but those two have my ultimate respect. They don't sit there and long for better days, they are doing what they think the proper course of action is, THEY are being proactive.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you again for your time.

Best Regards,

Lee Sammartino
Uhuck.com

A lot more professional than your 1st attempt. Good luck with your venture.

As I said the page looks really good but it still seems not very obvious who actually is behind it and their accomplishments around BASE.

My name is Lee Sammartino and I am one of the organizers of Uhuck. Below is a recent bio that I submitted when running for an executive board position with a retail design trade organization. I hope this sheds some light on who I am professionally.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Lee Sammartino
P.O. Box 1366
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Email: sandiego@uhuck.com
Website www.uhuck.com


QUALIFICATIONS

Lee Sammartino is a rarity in the business world; a dedicated and active member of the action sports industry, he has successfully applied the same drive and creative sense of adventure to his entrepreneurial efforts. Often acknowledged for his innovative solutions to common and uncommon problems, Lee brings a unique perspective to the business that incorporates his extensive experience in retail design, construction, information technology, action sports, social marketing, and brand development.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vertical Retail Solutions, L.L.C., a retail service consolidation provider, Lee has been awarded numerous design, manufacturing, general contracting, and installation assignments with the world’s leading retailers. Lee’s diverse retail background includes new store openings and remodels, fixture and store design consultation, service consolidation programs, tenant Improvements for stores under 20,000 square feet, structural consulting for loading of fixtures used in applications outside of intended use, and logistical management for large volume rollouts.

Outside of retail, Lee also serves as a board member of Seraya, Inc., Friland Equities, and Bourne Properties; all Connecticut based operations serving the commercial and residential land investment, development, and construction markets. Lee’s experience in information technology has allowed him to design, implement, and manage web /graphic design and development projects, utilizing technologies and applications such as: html, PHP/MySQL, ASP, JSP, Java, XML, Perl, JavaScript, Flash, Illustrator, Photoshop, Fireworks, AutoCAD, and Visio. He also oversees and implements the management of server technologies, including Linux Red Hat, Unix, Windows 2003 Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, and Microsoft SQL Server.

As President and founder of Gravity Digital Media Group - a social networking management conglomerate - Lee leads a team of technology experts to create a unique, innovative online presence for clients in the entertainment and action sports industries. By remaining an active part of the industry, Lee is able to stay abreast of the newest trends in the most influential consumer markets.

Lee’s philosophy and understanding of today’s retail and new media markets has placed him at the forefront of the industry. His progressive methodologies are being recognized and utilized by clients and industry leaders nationwide.

___________________________________________________________

Age: 34

Skydiving experience: 11 years 2,200+ skydives.

BASE Experience: 2.25 years 164 BASE Jumps. I have been to KL, Kjerag, Voss, Lauterbrunnen, and GFG 2007. FJC with Jimmy Pouchert, APEX Base. ABAT Course with APEX BASE.

Education: Business and Political Science degrees from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Employed with Extreme International and Extreme Sports Channel out of the UK when I first graduated college in cross-platform marketing and distribution of action sports video content.

If you need to know more, please contact me via email and I will be happy to discuss any other knowledge you need to know about me and the direction Uhuck is going. There is a lot in the works right now.


Best Regards,

Lee Sammartino

Great thanks that's exactly what I was looking for on the homepage. I think something like that would make a lot of criticism like we saw in the last couple weeks stop.

I agree with you that it would have assisted in the criticism. However, when I came aboard, my primary concern was getting the new site up, marketing materials finished, etc. I did not want to release my name at that time until I knew that the other organizer was going to be able to deliver on everything that he said. He has delivered everything and more. He has been very professional to work with. His bio will arrive soon.

Thank you again for your understanding,

Lee

The name you have on you profile now is HARRY NUDZAK.

HOW do you pronounce that? IT almost sounds like?

Hmmm. Not so professional?

good day.

Thank you very much for your comment. You are correct. It is changed. I apologize for this over site. It was on there from my anonymity.

Thank you again,

Lee Sammartino
Uhuck.com

Hi again,

I Dont want to come across as hard, but We need to be. You state as follows:

Age: 34

Skydiving experience: 11 years 2,200+ skydives.

BASE Experience: 2.25 years 164 BASE Jumps. I have been to KL, Kjerag, Voss, Lauterbrunnen, and GFG 2007. FJC with Jimmy Pouchert, APEX Base. ABAT Course with APEX BASE.

Education: Business and Political Science degrees from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Employed with Extreme International and Extreme Sports Channel out of the UK when I first graduated college in cross-platform marketing and distribution of action sports video content.

If you need to know more, please contact me via email and I will be happy to discuss any other knowledge you need to know about me and the direction Uhuck is going. There is a lot in the works right now.


Best Regards,

Lee Sammartino



So im wondering what does Jimmy P. think? or better yet whats does APEX BASE think? And do you care what they think?

What if they said no more Go Fast Games to you? Would you care? etc. You get what im saying.

Again im just trying to see where your heads at.

And also do you feel with your relatively short BASE carreer and not even having 300, 400, 500 etc. BASE jumps , you are capable of being responsible for all who jump.

Also how do you feel about this letter that has sufaced from Franks mother. if it authentic and true maybe you should change his name and date from actual day.

And one more thing. Have you really thought through at what time of day the jump should take place? i mean if you have any actual experience at the valley you know how weird the weather can get and out of the blue no less.

good day.

HI Again,

Thank you for you response. I Really hope you understand my criticism. Ive been to the valley quite a bit. And i'm highly, highly cititical of what your doing because of how it can affect me, and friends who hang out there.

I WOULD hope you have to admit if things go wrong or not its going to heat things up all over (BLM, bridge day, the valley , etc) it will be national.. I truly understand why your doing this but if you've been here more than just once you would know why i and others care.

So my question is have you been here before and had the kind of fun i've had here. And again i dont mean a one time jump i mean have you BEEN here?

IM not being harsh i'm just asking the hard questions publicly. JUst LIKE the journalists do or would like to.

Oh YEAH, HAVE you dropped the idea of making this into some reality show type format? I really hope so, because when the shit hits the fan, duck because you will be so, so, hated.

I Glad to see JIMMY P. likes you. IT makes me feel ok. I'D like to talk to him in person or over the phone to see what he thinks. Im pretty sure i know what Todd thinks?

If i think of more questions ill do so later and i incourage others to ask and ask and ask. Your either going to be LOVED OR HATED for this one dude. I THINK its going to be the latter and hope it's the former. But i really hope you would just admit to yourself that this is truly wrong and will make all of us look bad AND plus fuck up the park for those us who have figured out ways around everything.
And please don't tell me to then protest with "us" against the NPS policy. And my asnwer would be i can't afford to lose my rig or have anything on my record (on purpose anyway).



good day.

"I very much question it's authenticity. If it is his mother"

It is Frank's mother. Guaranteed.

I received a pm from a moderator that said it he is 99.9% sure it is Franks Mother. I apologize for questioning Mrs. Mescola's authenticity, however, it was strange to me that Frank's mother would post this. I have sent her a PM requesting to speak with her directly. Frank's memory lives on in the BASE Community even to BASE Jumpers that did not even know him. This is not a publicity stunt. We mean no harm to Mrs. Mescola or her family. As I stated in the PM, we are working towards a goal for a sport that her son helped pioneer. If it were not for Frank and persons' with his dedication, the sport would not be where it is today.

Lee Sammartino
Uhuck.com

As far as the reality show format, I think the concept is misconstrued. We are "selling" this as a documentary from the date of the event dating back to the old days of BASE Jumping in the national park. It is more of an educational work than anything else.

I have been to the park many times. I have never jumped it for fear of what everyone fears, prosecution. However, before, it was illegal and that is it. But when the NPS appeases the BASE Community by offering permits and then denying the applications from the very person that is getting permits from them for Bridge Day. There is something very, very wrong with this.

Now conversely, if in the application for 100 permits, the NPS comes to an agreement with us and issues a permit to jump, Then we are one step closer to the legalization.

Feel free to get my number from Todd if you would like to speak with me in person. I speak with him every couple of weeks.


Lee Sammartino
Uhuck.com

Sweet, you registered Nov 24th just to comment on this.

Writing style seems familiar though...

That's what I was thinking.

The "I think I know what Todd thinks" comment, I've heard somewhere before.

 

Thank you for your input Tree. I am sorry that you feel the way that you do. I appreciate your sentiments, however, anything that you say only drives us further toward our goal. Thank you again. I enjoy reading your posts. Unfortunately, your view is part of the minority. I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Lee Sammartino

Hey man, I like the cause and have spoken with john a little. But i suggest you drop the whole connection with Frank G. Using the memory of a deceased jumper that you didn't know and his family is against it? WTF? Admit the mistake and move on.

Are you the same Lee that static lined the crane with Paul and myself 2 months ago?

You can think or assume what you want kid. But this means quite a bit to some of us.

I dont know about you or your experience in the park (and other NPS Lands and/or BLM) or overall experience for that matter, but i will continue to ask questions of all and i hope you would?
Maybe your on the "yeah let's do it" side of the aisle? And that's fine. Or you dont care.
Well i"ve jumped my ass off this year and have done it the right way and plan on doing it the right way and this aint the right way. But maybe i'm wrong?

good day

That is John's decision as I am assisting in the organization of the protest. I was given a directive. I am confused as to why after two weeks of Uhuck being up, this is an issue. If John says take it down, it will be taken down. That decision is not mine.

I pose this question though, for a protest against a cause that Martin Luther King was directly involved with, would you oppose the use of his name in a protest for that very cause, even though most did not know him personally and continue to fight for his ideals?


Lee Sammartino
Uhuck.com

Yes. I apologize again for the rims. You never sent me a bill.

Out of respect for Mrs. Mescola and Frank's Family, Uhuck is removing the the reference to Frank Gambalie on the web site. Again, our sincerest apologies to Mrs. Mescola and Frank's family.

We will however, be continuing with the protest in the same direction that we have been.

Lee Sammartino
Uhuck.com

Since when Has Martin luther king gotten terminal?
Stop dropping names, and go jump the fucking thing!
Maybe, if your nice enough, Forrest jump will show you the right way to do it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Everyone is faceless on this except for me. Feel free to voice your opinions directly to me via telephone so we can speak intelligently to one another instead of the faceless postings of your opinion. I have no problems discussing this with you on the phone or in person. This will be the last post that I make on this BASE Board. If you need to contact me, you may do so at any time. Go through the normal channels to get my phone number. My email is sandiego@uhuck.com.


Thank you again,

Lee Sammartino

what's that supposed to mean, 'the right way'. talk about something personal. i like to think i'm jumping the right way but now i'm not so sure...would you care to elaborate on this concept?

Hey guys,

Just want to add my two cents to this equation.

I think Nick D’s idea to raise money for the NPS (Yosemite) is the best way froward.

We all love the park and hate the regulations they currently stand. To protest aggressively against them I don’t think is the best way forward. It has been done and it ended in disaster. I believe the best way to make a real statement is to give a donation to the park. To show BASE jumpers are good people who want to look after the environment and our exit points. This way we will be seen as supporting the park rather than against its rules and regulations. So as an idea maybe the focus should be changed. Instead of rasing bail and rig replacement money, raise money for something dear to the NPS’ heart like that bird Nick D mentioned. Before making the jump and donation get agreement that they will look into opening one exit (as a start). AT the end of the jump with ALL media present the NPS a large cardboard check. (It may bounce but the media has seen it as a donation!!)

Anyways I one hundred percent support the idea of getting BASE legalised in the park but I think the strategy should be thought through very closely.

IN NPS land. The right way would be not causing a scene. NOT leaving a trace. NOT disrupting the natural enviroment. no one even knowing except the occaisonal dear.

Im not so sure a protest jump is the right way?
TV crews, way too many people etc. NPS rangers busting peoples, and not mention that El Cap is practically grand central with a road running right in front of it with kids and cars and bikes going by. But maybe LITTLESTRANGER from Texas kNOWs something about the PARK that i dont?

To me if El Cap were to ever become legal it would have to be structured under certain times of the year when crowds werent as big. etc. and certain times of day as well etc.

So back to what you were asking about again LITTLESTRANGER. about THE right way , is avoiding a scene PERIOD. ok. people on here like to say NINJA SKILLS etc.

hope i helped you LITTLESTRANGER? feel free to explain to me through your experiences in BASE that might help me out.


good day


good day.

NOw FOLKs I may not be a smart man, but i know a smart man, and that's a Smart MAN!

GOOD DAY to you sir

dude you're cracking me up. thanks for taking the time to check my profile before you vented.


help me? no not really. im sure that you noticed my experience in BASE is limited. i asked a simple question, i do appreciate the response though, kind of puts YOU in perspective.

have a nice day, haha

No dude, i just responded the way (Slightly sarcastic) as you did. But i did answer you. I care about this issue and putting myself in the wronge perspective in your eyes is wrong . sorry. But i was just responding to you the you did to me. no hard feelings, i hope.

Sorry to put myself in the wrong perspective. I guess if this was in your backyard? You would be?

And truthfully dude my numbers aint squat compard to most of the dudes out there. So really i take what you say seriously.

good day

I agree with Rexp, instead of bail money raise money for the park. Lee said that they were get 100 applications for jumping permits, well while they are doing that why not give them the money at the same time.


He's right, the NPS isn't going to like a lot of people protesting and messing up the park. It's just gonna piss them off more. How about this? Raise the money, fill out some of the applications, give them the money, see if you can get any jumps but not a lot of people, make sure everything stays in perfect shape and it looks great, maybe even clean up a little if there's anything to clean up. having all those people there is just going to make it worse because their going to have to clean up the mess.

the top of el cap has all sorts of trash and shit (literally) stuffed under every boulder up there. How bought an organized clean up el cap jump? Or just an organized clean up day 1st? Shows a lot more initiative than a protest jump...

I LIKE YOUR IDEAD. but where and how you going to get the trash down. Maybe reverse a stashbag and stuff trash in it and ware it on your front. It'll mess up your track but it would work.

Dont forget youll be jumping down the stuff you already have on you Camelbacks , etc. so Stuff your cargo pants pocket with trash (inside zip lock baggies) and your reversed stash bags as well.

good day

Is this constructive criticism that I am seeing from everyone now? These types of ideas from people are what we need and what I have been asking for. I spoke with someone I highly respect in the BASE community and he sent me a framework to be expanded upon to address not only the legalization of jumping in the national park, but even more importantly, the ongoing maintenance and the ability for us as a community to effectively manage ourselves in the parks. There is a lot to the framework and cannot discuss everything here and now. It just came through an hour ago and I need more time to digest it. Please keep the constructive comments coming. Another friend posted this on Blinc, and also has very valid points. It is long, but very well written.

http://www.blincmagazine.com/...owthread.php?t=25406

Thank you again,

Lee Sammartino

No matter how carefull we are in our planning, preperation and execution of our jumps, accidents and fatalities still occur on all experience levels. What if a serieous accident or fatality occurs on the protest jump? What sort of backlash from the media, NPS etc could be expected? Short term and long term. Would a protest jump be giving the NPS more ammunition?

Just my thoughts

Andy

Base#229

What if a serious accident or fatlity happened then OR at a time that it may be legal? If the hold on EL cap was that small, then we "never" had it at all.

what is YOUR detailed plan?
you keep asking for constructive ideas, but NEVER present yours!

you have aggitated this community, but have failed to offer a resolution. please be constructive and tell us YOUR thoughts/ideas/intentions!

(the UHUCK site speaks of actions, but does NOT tie them together into a coherent plan.)

to date, UHUCK does NOT appear serious. it HAS brought forth ideas from others. I'm still waiting to see UHUCK's creativity.

p.s.
all the above are my personal views. as a moderator, I have no issue with these threads (yet).

Point taken, Passion seems to be running very high on this matter. The only thing for certain is that if nothing is done then nothing will happen and only history will tell which was the right move.

As I have said once before, this is my last post on here. I feel this board to be counterproductive to any efforts put forth on any issue. If I posted the plan of action, some would read it and understand, some would read the first page and read no farther, some would not read at all. The latter two are the ones that are wasting everyone's time on this Board.

Out of several requests for people to call me that were either against or on the fence with this issue, only two have. That tells me only one thing, that those that question and refuse to call me to discuss this are only in this because they can hide behind anonymity and never actually have to show there face or speak their actual voice when they write. Again, within a couple of phone calls, you can get my phone numbers.

Best Regards,

Lee Sammartino

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to put some of my thoughts into the equation. In my experience, anytime you take an aggressive stand against an authority over a matter of privelage, not a constitutional right, (flying and driving are privelages, BASE jumping in a National park with permits I'm assuming is a privelage as well).. the authority tends to close their ears to whatever point you are trying to make, if it's valid or not, and put up their defenses. Often times, unless you have hundreds of thousands of dollars to take them on in court for the next 5 years to set a new precedent, you lose and the issue at hand is worse off than when you started...

IF this is something that is going to happen no matter what, then I am with Rex and Nick, don't raise money for yourselves and for bail, raise money for the park. The press and public aren't going to stand next to a bunch of BASE jumpers breaking the law for a cause they don't understand. They might however, stand next to you, and believe that you have a real purpose if you hand over a huge donation to the NPS. After all, "going green" is a big thing in Northern California right now. If you are giving to help the environment, people around here love it.

Melissa

I wonder what arnold schwart*&^^% ... will say..?

Maybe, "I'll be back"?