Basejumper.com - archive

For the record:

How do I know Brian was trained? Because Jean told me (in person) that she trained him. Jean also asked me to give him additional training, to which I assigned one of my staffers to work one-on-one with him. Bruce K, one of my best friends and a BD staffer, personally trained Brian on the day before Bridge Day. Then Johnny U worked with him and jumpmastered him. And finally, Brian himself talked about being trained by the best.

Now, Tizzy, fix the inaccuracy where you stated Brian never received training. Or do you want to continue to defend your inaccuracies by arguing with the people WHO WERE THERE?

PS. I also did the fatality analysis on Brian by reviewing countless videos and images. Most newspaper reports have his cause of death listed incorrectly. If you want the REAL story, go here

The question stands.

It's a question not a statement. Mike answered the question, get over it.

your question is not worded properly. It is based on an improper inference from the LA Times article (that Brian has no received training). As such, it is asking about a a situation which had never occurred.

Really? You are gonna be like that to Jason?

He has actually been under a parachute, you have not.
He just offered to pay $1,000 to help find Leroy, did you?
He and his wife work their asses off running the biggest
BASE jumping event in the world for us, not journalists.

He was there, you were not.
He met the man, you did not.
He saw the jump, you did not.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZHsHdPYJ8Q

TLN-

Unlike others who may react against everything you say, rightly or wrongly, you know I don't scream at you to shut up constantly. Rightly or wrongly.

Here, you have chosen a poor battle. Jason is level-headed and non-argumentative, and since just about everybody knows him, they know your response was inappropriate. He did not attack you, and even finished his thoughts by coming back on-thread to mention Mike. He nicely asked that you clarify your question to fix a misunderstanding. Rather than giving a considered reply or editing your original article to include a footnote on the misunderstanding.

You've gotten too used to getting poked around here, and reacted as if you were attacked when you were not. It is costing you any credibility you were holding on to. Make it right and move on.

Jason made it clear months ago, in an email to me that he would never read anything I ever wrote, (like others who made that claim, yet there they are reading and commenting) apparently he has and now wants to edit me. As he has in the past made comments slinging dirt on the forum in my direction, I am not a big fan of his either.

Not everything is as it appears. Yes, I know, he is a jumper and I am not, therefore he must be the epitome of integrity.

A professional businessman would have emailed me and said can we discuss the question you asked in the interview? I have added, deleted and made corrections in the past after publishing. I would have been open to asking Jason some questions for him to express his viewpoint and attention to safety at Bridge Day in the past and currently.

Instead he went for the passive aggressive tactic, so that my fan club could jump on board and insult my work, intelligence and integrity. That's okay though, they are jumpers so it's not frowned upon.

I see where the question can be misconstrued by some protecting their interests as Nick D pointed out in the Blinc thread. I also see it as a question that received a valid clear response from a man who was there.

Thanks for your comment, I appreciate your candidness.

It's true that I still don't understand your motive for these "15 questions with" threads. It's also true that I still have not read any of them, although I did happen to glance at the Schubert training reference which prompted my post.

Who said I was a professional businessman, anyway? I'm just a BASE jumper, like most of us here, and BASE jumpers are law breakers by nature.

I doubt most would understand, but I was beat up pretty bad over the Schubert incident and it hurt quite a bit. Even though Brian's accident was entirely Brian's fault, some chose to incorrectly direct blame my way. With Jean Boenish (the person who trained him and brought him to BD) saying that she wouldn't have let him jump, countless others staying silent, the Bridge Day Commission coming up with their own incorrect conclusions on Brian's death, and the AP putting words in my mouth, I realized that the situation turned ugly. So, having a non-jumper write that Brian received no training brought back a lot of old memories.

I simply pointed out a small mistake that could have been corrected with few strokes of your mouse and keyboard. I'm not protecting any interests at all as the incident occurred three years ago. What I'm protecting is Brian's memory and the facts of that day.

EDIT: Grammar.

 

 

Are you to proud of your inaccuracies to make a correction?

Go away!

By "Yep." do you mean, yep you will go away?
Cause that sure would be fucking fantastic!!!!!!!!

 

 
I'm not guiltless of being drawn into bickering matches but this is border line rediculess. Is this really something to fall on your sword over. This ant hill will soon supass everist. She asks for his reaction to an artical, he answers. What the hell are you arguing about? Whether or not he was trained? That popular meadia articals questioned it? Depending on how you want to define the term, no he didn't train. He didn't make any skydives. Not even a static line or a tandom. He'd never flown a square. I don't doubt that they walked him through as fine of a ground school as they could before the jump. I have no doubt that they gave him all they could. It was he that decided not to do more. There are a thousand things that he could have done before that day. Ultamently he chose. No one else. No one pushed him. And ultamently he failed. No one else. The others there need to accept that and get the fuck over it.

Once again you've published a very nice little interview with a very interesting caricter. all well and good. You accedently steped on some ones toe. Shit happens. A small fires no big deal till you douse it with a bucket of avgas. And you have a habbit of doing just that. I don't know how you manage to rub these people the wrong way and I don't know why you enjoy it so much. Isn't the work your doing enough in it self? And if not maybe you really should look else where. In the mean time I keep checking this website waiting to see if they find this guys body and I keep clicking on this forum only to find that it's just a bunch of replies to this BS. That's anoying.

Lee

How old are you? Sounds like things a stubborn 15 year old would say after being corrected on their research paper.

Please do the mature thing and correct the mistake? :/

You'd like dride ...

 

Yep.

+1

I'm far more concerned about Leroy and the searchers...


we also both know that TLN puts in a lot of work on her pieces. she writes, re-writes, and then re-works them some more. she puts a lot of effort in, and they come out better than most content here.

sadly, instead of thoughtful replies, her work tends to devolve quickly into emotional responses. (and yes, I might be guilty as well.)

the best advice might be to only read the initial piece...

A professional writer with integrity would have checked her facts first.


This appears to me to be pure projection. Others may disagree.


I thought your interview with wwarped was very well written and showed a great deal of insight.

Unfortunately, I no longer care to read anything you write. There are plenty of good writers here who actually know the history of BASE--because they lived it--and they have the advantage of not calling attention to themselves and sowing discontent every time they make a post.

Speaking for myself, you have lost every bit of the credibility I accorded you and your writing skills, all on account of your irresponsible reporting and your response to being called on it.

 

Fact: A question is not a statement of fact.

I refuse to get involved in this argument, but CUNT happens to be amongst my favorite words. Few words in the english language (american slang useage) pack such a powerful blow as CUNT. It is a show stopper. A derogatory epithet, unrivaled in it's simplicity and sting, when properly administered, it will bruise the soul. Use it in an argument with a woman, and even if she wins, she will walk away feeling as though she lost. (female base jumpers, please forgive me, i'm not an ass, I just find the reaction that those 4 simple letters illicit to be incredible.) I've always found that it's best delivered with one's teeth nearly clenched, and in a low, calm, yet firm, deliberate tone, often expressed in polar opposition to the tenor of an argument. It works for men also... just use the word to refer to their wife, girlfriend, or mother, especially if one or all three of the aforementioned persons is present. Call someone's chic a cunt in front of them and they may try to whip you silly, and fuck you stupid... I'll say it again, the word is a show stopper. Game over. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

One of my favorite movie scenes of all time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xsaMcw69D8

Hands down Ryan Phillippe's greatest performance on-screen.

"When did you stop beating your wife?"

Classic example of passive-aggression. I think you owe Jason Bell--who is a fine and honorable human being--an apology.

I see you've sent me a PM--just received the notification. My friends send me PMs. You can talk to me right out here in the open or not at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUC675a4us0

The Vagina Monologues - 2008

"Reclaiming CUNT".

 

This whole thing needs to stop. TLN- you seem adamant that you are correct, which may or may not be true, but you seem arrogant and childish in your interactions. This pisses people off. I for one don't give a shit. But if you want to be involved in this community (which I don't understand why you do, (really, why?), why not take it down a notch? Good luck.

God I bet you're great in the sack.

Your responses are typical of a teen who is confused about the difference between being a strong opinionated women and a cunt.

 

TLN, I've always stuck with you in the past. You might have "jumped the shark" on this one. "Back off Warchild, seriously!"

you do know rhondaleas 15 minutes started years ago?

par for the course, your acting like a little girl, arguing 3rd hand information with individuals who were there in person.

your an idiot

-higs and kisses for my current fav. internet psycho.

 

at least you admit it.

thanks for you time.

 

I love FreeFallFiend's attachment, and in I found another one very applicable to you TN

see this : http://tinyurl.com/rdoe8p

And just to note, many of us, myself include were there at BD both during some of the training and during the jump, which I personally witnessed from standing right under the diving board.

See, this is the problem; you DON'T have any respect and you're stupid and too much on your high horse to realize it. You just don't get it. You are just an obstinate clueless little self aggrandizing twat waffle that takes great joy, for some juvenile reason, in tearing things apart and fomenting conflict.

"Gee", you say, "but I add so much valuable content to the site, and all you haters can do is gang up on poor little me and try to tear me off the pedestal I've placed myself on".

Get over yourself, the people you "interview" are great people, full of depth and character, and you manage to totally suck the life out of them with that vapid, yet boring, community college beginning journalism class crap that you spew. Your gimmicky amateur attempts at grown up journalism fall way short and do a disservice to the people you write about.

You're kind of the typical run of the mill BASE groupie that tries to glom on to someone else's lifestyle in order to make up for their total lack of accomplishments, low self esteem, or childhood daddy issues. At one time you had (yet another cut&paste of someone else's work) quote of Hunter Thompson as your tagline. He was a journalistic hack too, but at least he had the balls to go out and experience the stories and lifestyles he was attempting to write about.

You sit at your computer tossing childlike rants out like candy because you think you know all about the BASE community, but you don't. You feel justified in throwing barbs at people you don't know over situations you don't have a clue about, and it just shows how ignorant you really are. I notice that every time you you are called out on your bullshit you pointlessly deflect, get childish, or blindly attack. Grow up a little bit.

Step up bitch, and admit you really don't know what the fuck you are talking about, don't care about the B.A.S.E. (that's for you Tom) community, and are just here for your own selfishly pathetic reasons.

Congrats on your fifteen minutes and enjoy the ride on other peoples coattails; you know, since you seem so enthralled with those who actually go out and live life instead of just watching it on TV.





Here, let me help you with a reply:

ctrl-x "Yep"
ctrl-v
(repeat if necessary).

 

Yep; kind of like you with your interviews.

 

Good Sensible answer Jason. I have to go with Jason on this one. I usually do not like to post in the middle of these chat room arguments since I try to be as neutral as possible since we issue the numbers.
First, about Brian Schubert. ONLY Brian killed Brian. I had a very long talk with Jean right after the event since it was clear to me as a lawyer that certain people, like anyone who helped Brian, could end up being sued. Doesn't mean anyone would win, but you can't stop a mad relative from suing. Well, while Jean was of course telling me her perspective, it matches with Jason's post. Jean did think he could do it when she went out there until she saw Brian being made a big celebrity and he didn't take his acutal exit training seriously. She did not feel he was really safe to jump but didn't make a big issue of it at first. Maybe like Nick DG says, all jumpers that may have praised him and assumed he knew more than he did, were a little at fault, but the reality is, IT JUST AINT THAT DIFFICULT TO LET A PC go after a couple seconds. Brian died from Brain lock, not inadequate training. You know the old saying about leading a horse to water. He got more training than many of our early inexperienced students back all during the 80's. It had been a long time since he had ever jumped so who knows whether he just froze. Fact is, even Mike Pelkey's interview recognized that Brian may not have been paying attention to his training as much as he should. Eveyone that had a hand in his training, IF they felt he was really a danger of bouncing, should have been very specific to Jason since Bell was not the hands on trainer. Folks, I understand how many of us experienced BASE jumpers trying to train Brian would be reluctant to actually think this old pioneer couldn't let go of a damn pilot chute. Brian brain locked and I can understand why experienced mentors might just stay silent given the odds are far in the favor of him doing fine. We'll never know why he didn't throw.

NOW, about Tizzie. Girl, you are a very talented writer. You have done some very interesting profiles, even that way too flattering one you did on me. Don't get me wrong, I love it and read it every night before bedtime!!!. Please understand, that in a world of BASE jumpers, even skydivers, the price we pay for screwing up big time is death. In no other sport are the participants dead the second of exit which begins their adventure. We know we'll die as soon as we exit UNLESS we take affirmative action, which means the ability to think in freefall. It requires a certain kind of Psyche to be able to do this over and over especially in BASE. I very much like and appreciate your contribution to BASE by the extremely well written articles, but my advice is for you to really not get involved with discussions in a BASE chat room between BASE jumpers about the sport, or it's personalities. I mentioned to you when your first asked for my interview, after I read some of the critics on the board, you were dipping your toe into some hot water by jumping in to writing about BASE jumpers. Even skydiving can be pretty closed mouth, but BASE, having a history as an underground sport is tough to break into especially being a non jumper. Bold thing to do and you've done some great interviews. It's a credibility issue. I value your talent in being able to portray some of BASE characters in articles since you really add interest to the stories. You need to be a bit more sensitve as to when BASE jumpers will begin to resent a non jumper from offering opinions about the sport, or it's players. Especially if you choose a battle with a BASE jumper most of us respect as having done a lot for this still new sport. PLEASE understand I still consider you an asset and a really good writer, but I think you crossed the line on this one. Stick to what you do best.
Rick Harrison AKA Cliffleaper
BASE 38
Night BASE 13
D-3736 (If any of you guys even care about what a D license was).

God this is hot! I can't decide whether I'd like to see you naked or on fire.

Such a shame that the same can't be said about you.

Oh, and it's "you're".

15 minutes is up

You're masturbating to this, aren't you?

This thread is fantastic, I was laughing
out loud several times, thank you all

Here are the best/funniest 8 lines:

I agree, great thread some funny shit for sure. I still think Stewie takes the cake with the best line yet:

"God this is hot! I can't decide whether I'd like to see you naked or on fire."

Rick----you said it all, end of discussion, well put.
PS I still skyjump so yes I know what a D licenses is

there certainly has been some wonderfully creative, humorous posts. I laughed several times myself. that creativity also meant I did not need to intervene as seems all too typical. great stuff. thanks to all.

now if only they would use their abilities to add content...

a cursory view of the "Who's Online" list shows many names that do NOT post. I wonder how many choose to remain quiet so not to be criticized...

flaws exist in us all. I find it kinder NOT to focus on these. it's just hard to other other people's generosity when they do not display it.

MikeP wrote a real classy post.
I welcome all the effort and concern directed to assist Leroy. hopefully he is found soon.
TLN is brave and tenacious. she deserves credit for trying.

now if NickDG would just finish that friggin book!

Just thought you all should know that Tizzy still won't correct her question. Stubborn little woman. Don't let the facts get in your way, Tizzy. Sure, Mike fixed your question with a portion of his response, but someone down the line will surely read your question and assume Brian had no training.

And "no thanks" to your offer to interview me. I hope that other jumpers are wise enough to steer clear of your "15 Questions With" episodes. With all the bragging you did about one of your syndicated BASE jumper segments being so popular on MySpace, are you simply doing this for the money? Are you using us?

Finally, if you call my wife a "bitch" one more time, I won't be so nice.

She actually had the gall to ask you for an interview! Ha, I really needed that laugh!

 

Tizzy-

No worries, you didn't hurt my feelings by calling me a bitch. I think jason just really wants people to know exactly the type of person you are. Let the masses judge for themselves. But, let them know the whole story. I never judged, just simply asked you in private, a couple of questions that you failed to answer. Rather than answer my questions you became very defensive for some reason.

My husband and I are two separate people who look out for each other. Just as we do in this community. You on the other hand, seem to be in this community for only your self (oops I think I just judged you.)

My suggestion to you TLN is the following. If you want credit and respect from BASE jumpers then you need to meet people face to face. Perhaps, you could drive getaway for a jump or even stand around for an hour and watch someone pack a parachute. Come to Bridge Day and you'll meet a lot of real people. People that will be there for each other regardless of race, religion or political party.

I'm done with this whole thing because I really do feel like I'm arguing with a fifteen year old girl.

 

Wow, you are a rude, cold fucking bitch. Talk about poor taste and behavior.


So, the way to fix your erroneous "reporting" is to offer a tit-for-tat interview? Ah, trash journalism at it's finest.


She was supposed to "ASK" you her opinions?

That's pretty cold of you to bring up Leroy's death in this unrelated thread an insinuate things. Did you know Leroy? I did. I've been on the phone all week and again this morning talking to those who searched for him. Don't tell me I'm in this "for myself". Go find another sport to harass.

Moderators: You should delete Tizzy's account.
Jumpers: Please don't do any further "15 Questions With" interviews with her.

Para_frog called this so many months ago. Glad to see that TLN has finally had her meltdown and that you can all see what Para_frog was talking about.

TLN, go back to daddys basement, have him hide your pills that make you sane in your oatmeal, and then go forth and mingle with professional bowlers and report your 15 questions on them.

This is, perhaps, the most passive-aggressive, manipulative message I have ever read in 20 years on the internet.

Using Leroy's death in an attempt to call attention away from your own misdeeds by attributing a lack of caring to Jason is unconscionable.

Moreover, it is an exercise in futility, because those who are watching you sink deeper into a mire of your own making know exactly what Jason is, and neither he nor Jennifer are as you have attempted to portray them.

I could go on...but I won't. Instead I will leave you to stuff your face with all the "cookies" you so childishly handed out and then took back in an impotent effort to protect your image.

What the fuck?


Tizzy, since you've been on this forum you have vilified nearly a dozen of my personal friends, one by one. There's no way in hell that all of them are wrong and you are right. The couple of times I've talked with you online you've seemed like a nice enough person, but it seems that once somebody even slightly steps on your toes all hell breaks loose. Your response to this post will likely strengthen my argument.

You really need to learn to accept criticism before going off the handle on people who don't deserve it.

Rhonda nailed it. Tizzy - if you admit to yourself that you're done here, you'll save yourself a lot of time and heartache.

A better, more effective method is to let her post to her heart's content, but not allow her to delete her messages afterward. (And if there's a software limitation precluding that, then someone taking the time to quote her messages--without response--will preserve the record of her outrages.)


Everyone else should stop replying to her also, even if her posts become more outrageous than they have already been.

Ignoring her completely will solve the problem, and it will send a much clearer message than a mere ban; specifically, that everyone here is in agreement she should be ostracized.

From me to you and your bride, I am so sorry that you have been assaulted in this way. You are both wonderful people, and neither of you deserves such treatment.

Thanks RhondaLea, you're the best. Hope to see you sometime soon and chat for awhile!!!

My position for the record. I posted this in the earlier thread:

Applause. Especially to the three bullet points. Knowledge, Skill and Attitude.

As the 3rd Anniversary of my Father’s death approaches, I find myself Googling his name once again…and this is the thread I stumble into. First of all - THANK YOU MIKE for your input for the record on Dad's training for BRIDGE DAY!!! Also for the record…I was at the bottom of the bridge the day my father was killed. None of you who speak, but for a very select LUCKY few…actually KNEW my dad. Certainly no one better than I. There are so many things here I wish to address that are pure speculation and conjecture. First of all, for people to continue to push Jason Bell up against a wall and make him defend his role, or lack thereof, in a traumatic event is bullshit.

If you knew my dad . . . there were many words that would accurately describe the kind of person he was – confident -without question, tenacious - certainly, stubborn – OMG YES, willful - AB-so-frickin-lootely. There was nothing to indicate to anyone that my dad shouldn’t have made the jump. He was focused, he was a leader, he was fearless and he was amazingly intelligent. I say this with 100% conviction and you can judge him if you want, but he would have done the jump WITH or WITHOUT anyone’s permission!! Trust me…I know of what I speak. Did I trust that he had been given the tools and instruction he needed to accomplish this task…of course I did. I’m NO SHRINKING VIOLET and I wouldn’t have stood by silently had I not. This is an important fact…so read this very carefully…MIKE PELKEY (with the same experience) MADE THE JUMP THE YEAR PRIOR WITHOUT INCIDENT and my dad could do anything he set his mind to. Unfortunately, this scenario didn’t and couldn’t allow for a fraction of a mistake, or any stupid freefall action that might have been secretly entertained.

Tizzy:
In response to your question - "The Los Angeles Times reported that Jean Boenish had advised Brian to not jump at Bridge Day 2006 and that he ignored her warnings. Did you have any concern for Brian jumping having not been active in the sport or receiving training?"

Although I understand everyone’s admirable respect for Jean Boenish…this statement made in the L.A. Times wasn’t exactly accurate – whether it was misquoted, or . . . well, I’ll leave it at that. I privately spoke to Jean the night before my father’s jump. She did not WARN him or me that he wasn’t ready. I was there…and [b]she was staying with us at our cabin.[/b] She had concerns, but there weren’t any “warnings”, nor did she advise him not to jump, and as Mr. Harrison points out below, “Jean did think he could do it when she went out there . . .[s]he did not feel he was really safe to jump but didn’t make a big issue of it at first” which completely contradicts her alleged statement to the L.A. Times about “warnings” and “advising not to jump”.

Mr. Harrison also stated that Jean said my dad “didn’t take his actual exit training seriously.” Not exactly a true statement either. Mike and my dad spent hours practicing exits into a pool, based on Mike’s jump the year prior, before he even received the formal exit training.

I have NEVER appreciated careless journalism, but in this case, there are some who claim to be journalists who don’t do the job they are supposed to do.

[b]To Rick Harrison AKA Cliffleaper (also an attorney):
“I had a very long talk with Jean right after the event since it was clear to me as a lawyer that certain people, like anyone who helped Brian, could end up being sued. Doesn't mean anyone would win, but you can't stop a mad relative from suing. Well, while Jean was of course telling me her perspective, it matches with Jason's post. Jean did think he could do it when she went out there until she saw Brian being made a big celebrity and he didn't take his acutal exit training seriously. She did not feel he was really safe to jump but didn't make a big issue of it at first.”[/b]

Your comment about a mad relative suing was a tad reckless and cold, but being that I’m certain you didn’t actually expect a relative to read it, and given the fact that I am a legal assistant working for prominent attorneys at Jones Day, I will allow for your lack of judgment for including it in your post. In this instance there were no angry relatives, nor was anyone, at any time, considering suing anyone over my father’s terrible accident. A lawsuit was never discussed and therefore was not relevant to this conversation. I could see where another accident might open up such a discussion, however, it was a misleading statement and was never clarified that in this case, the family accepted my father’s role in the accident and it was never an issue.

Additionally, Mr, Harrison, your statement below was, ummmm, was more bullshit (sorry, but you said it as though you KNOW it):

…Brian brain locked and I can understand why experienced mentors might just stay silent given the odds are far in the favor of him doing fine. We'll never know why he didn't throw.”

While I understand that my dad’s training, and people’s lack of judgment was at issue in all of this, I will again reiterate, as I stated shortly after his death, none of you knew the man and he would have been the first person to take responsibility for his actions and the consequences, HOWEVER, my father was a cop for over 25 years and COPS DON’T GET BRAIN FREEZE!!! My father was 82nd Airborne – Airborne DON’T GET BRAIN FREEZE. NOT my dad. Spacial disorientation…perhaps, but NOT brain freeze. I know what his intentions were that day. I know some of the things he did wrong, but from what I was told and footage provided by Ms. Strauch shows, unless I have been completely and intentionally misled…when he threw the chute, it came back and was trapped against his body and the footage shows him struggling to free it. This, after a not-so-great jump and a recovered roll…as I understood it.

There are a lot of things I thought were handled inappropriately (not negligently)– including initial NOTES of gross speculation that were included in the accident report – which I believe was completely and utter idiocy on the part of the Parks Dept., however, I cannot continue to pursue people for being grossly stupid and incompetent. Therefore, I’ve had my say, and you can either respect it or . . . well, do what you will – your choice. -TINA SCHUBERT

 

BULLSHIT!
Mr. Schubert deployed his pilot chute at his intended delay of 5 seconds. After reviewing at least five different camera angles and more than 25 photographs, it was concluded by both the NPS's independent expert and I that Mr. Schubert deployed his pilot chute into his chest at the 5 second mark where it became trapped against his body until being released at the 7 second point. Recently obtained video shows Mr. Schubert struggling to move the trapped pilot chute from his chest for 2 full seconds. Tina Lindebaum, daughter of the deceased, later confirmed that Brian was planning a freefall delay of 5 seconds. While Brian did unintentionally perform a backflip shortly after a "non-vertical" standard (20 degrees forward) launch, he became stable and deployed his
> pilot chute in adequate time. He did, however, fail to deploy his pilot chute into clean air.

Again...you don't have all the facts. Stupidly, he planned on a longer freefall than should have been. NO BRAIN LOCK!!! He told many of his closest friends (not me) that it was his intention to do so - to push the envelope. Not fair to the event - however, he did was he did. It WASN'T brain lock. The man had been dove hunting the week before and landed every dove he attempted to shoot. His dexterity and accuity were all still there, dude!!!

I was standing at the rail, right next to the diving board - pretty damn close to the exit point. I watched the whole thing with my own eyes, looking straight down from the bridge.

He exited, ended up doing the unintentional flip, and got stable. His PC was in his right hand. he then brought both hands into his chest, along with the PC. The PC remained there until shortly before impact, whereas I believe it escaped over his shoulder. I cannot recall if it was his left or right shoulder, so anything beyond that would be a speculation on my part.

I have met and talked to Brian and shook his hand. I respect him and Mike highly for what they have done, and decided to do 39 and 40 years after their feat. But please realize that even being a YOUNG and CURRENT jumper we have brainlocks. I am as guilty of that as others. Add age and lack of currency, and the probability of such even increases.

Tina, I do apologize for the callous nature of some of my comments. I wasn't there, but have seen exit and freefall footage. I should have been more senstive to the fact that a family member might read the post and I was not. My use of the term brain lock was meant in a BASE perspecive. In BASE jumping, spatial disorientation is considered brain lock in our vernacular. I never met to imply he just froze, he did let go of the pilot chute, just perhaps not high enough to deal with a problem the pilot chute may have encountered. One of the things that cause us to lose track of altitude is in freefall the brains speeds up and it's easy to lose track of time causing you to deploy the pilot chute too late. Even this is speculation since none of us will ever know what happened for sure.
Please accept my apology.
Rick Harrison
Cliffleaper@aol.com

Thank you Rick. I understand.