Basejumper.com - archive

alright, so first off: I've never jumped out of a plane. I don't even know the difference between a bridal, a pin, a 240 or any of these technical terms. The closest I've ever come to aeronotic sports is taking an ~85 footer on an ice route. But anyway,

I've always been intrigued with base jumping. Of course, jumping out of a plane as well. Just seems like a damn good time. I've always been an adventure enthusiast and an adrenaline fiend. I'm not one of the showboats and I'm not crazy. I just like the feeling of being alive. I don't mind putting my life in my own hands, and living in the moment is how I prefer to live. I do these things for myself, personal growth? ya, but mostly I just find it fun. It's what I like.

So maybe way down the line you might see me jump off the NRG bridge, or catch some sweet air off some sick building... the goal would really be air off of crucial rock spires or walls. If I ever become the man at everything it takes to do that and to be able to do it again, in sha'allah. Not that I'm against the other three letters or anything, they still sound like a fine afternoon to me. But anyway, more than anything my life has been moving in the direction of climbing. I climb all the time, and basically my whole goal in life right now is working towards being able to climb full time.

So anyway, basically I feel curious enough to ask about what the limits are for a base jumper to be able to huck off while carrying gear. This gear would have to be a modest trad rack (like a small set of camalots and a set of nuts, plus minimum biners, slings, et cetera to make it possible). Naturally, I'd imagine you'd want the smallest rack possible, and all that would be taken into account. So one can assume it be at least the most modest rack it would take to do the climb safely. But he who doesn't jump with the gear will have to jump with the rope. I know I've heard of climbers who like to jump, but I've never heard specifically about people doing a climb then catching a free ride to the base, with gear. I know I've heard about paragliders, but I was more intrigued in the E jump.

I've been reading the forums, and I appreciate all the concern people have for newcomers and idiots. But don't worry, if base jumping is in my future, it definitely won't come for many years, and naturally after plenty (seriously, plenty) of experience out of a plane, and then working up to certain BASE projects. Not to mention a job that can afford another gnarly hobby. I can't think of anything more committing and faithful than a base jump, and I love climbing and my family too much to break all my bones or the obvious worse.

Keep on living it up, but be safe boys and girls. And much thanks.

Nick

ps I tried checking the search and couldn't find anything, sorry for a repeat if this is one

Checkout www.apexbase.com, go to and click on containers and find the "Apex-DPx" model. Read description. You have a long road to go before you will need one of these, but the journey is a blast!

The rope is gonna be your biggest problem and that's simply because of the volume. I jump a hiking bum bag/fanny pack that is big enough to hold a climbing rack of decent size. I have also jumped wearing a back pack (school bookbag size) reversed on my chest to be able to ferry down some larger items. I'd suggest what you want to do is feasible, and like you stated, approach it slowly, and learn one thing at a time.


I don't rock climb regularly, but I can imagine what the satisfaction of finishing a tall climb taking a moment to admire the accomplishment, and then making a leap would be.


Welcome, it's a blast!

I think the Beal Joker is a pretty good rope if you're trying to minimize weight and bulk.

9.1mm so keep it away from sharp flakes and edges...

Wrap your rope up in some bubble wrap..put it ina sturdy rucksack or stuff sack with a little tracking beacon wrapped in there.

and lob it off the E before you jump yourself [/crazy]

Sounds daft but I know someone who has done that several times (with clothes though...not climbing rope)

 
Yep, that's the common way I've seen it being done with the rope folded between your pant legs, most climbers fold their rope while coiling it anyway so it works pretty good. I'm still new (at BASE) and have a lot to learn as well, but the little experience I have it did feel like the gear was affecting my tracking.

I'm a climber who started BASE jumping as the next logical step. After topping out on huge cliffs in places like Baffin, it could actually be safer to jump rather than spending two days rapping and pulling ice and rocks down on you every time you pull your rope. Sounds like you've got the same itch as a lot of the serious climbers, lately.

I'm gonna go with a cargo chute and then huck my haulbag(s) off attached to it before the jump. Pete is even helping with some kind of delay system so the load doesn't drift as far.

Anyway, sounds like you're being smart, take it slow, have fun and good luck.

Cheers, Ammon

Edit- You wouldn't want to throw your rope without a chute unless you don't want to rely on it for saving your life anymore.

FYI, a 48" PC tied to a stash bag full of clothes doesn't make for a soft landing. Pretty cool thud though.

Take it or leave it....

$.02 = If you're going to have the gear at the top of the E, and CAN jump it... Don't pitch it. If something happens (cliff strike for instance) you at least have some potential of self rescue.

-smd7

don't do it in a np = aerial delivery

For some reason I know exactly what that looks like from below... I am sorry it took me 45 minutes to find your underwear (and other clothes). Did you guys ever get your Night-Naked-Frozen BASE?

Back on topic - it hit at near terminal... I honestly was surprised how hard it hit. I think the fact the PC was in the stash bag's burble, it did not add as much drag as one might expect. But then again, BASE jumpers (that weigh only 5 times as much) don't land well in PC in tow situations...

I would not want any gear that matters to be in the stash bag (such as 'beaners and other hardware that can be damaged on impact).

There are many situations where throwing a rope off has a very low probability of damaging the rope whatsoever (slider off cliffs in the desert with sandy areas under the exit for example) however there are probably many more jumps where you wouldn't want to huck your gear off for a variety of different reasons. Including damage to the gear and/or your landing area can literally be horizontal miles/kilometers away from the cliff and thousands of feet/meters below where chucked gear would land. Hence I feel its always a good idea to have a system to jump out all of yoru gear, although at times you may not use it.

What about doing something similar to this with your gear ...