Basejumper.com - archive

I watched my best friend, my hero, die today.

he was a jumper, a pilot, a flyer.

I learned how to climb, nay, we taught ourselves how to climb together. we learned to jump, to fly, to dream together.

not shy of 20 years. my best friend.

we were 13, we saw a BASE jump on tv. we both said we would do that someday. five years later there we were.

at 15 we started rope jumping. I don't know what to do now. he was the other half of the team. he had my back.

we were 19 and 20, we bought an airplane together. we had plans to buy another one soon. now what.

we started paragliding together five years ago. I was an idiot and he held me while seizing on the side of a mountain, telling the medics to hurry. cause I was dying.

that was four years ago, today.

not 20meters from where he watched over me, I looked up to see him fall from the sky. his single engine rocketship in pieces, destroyed by negligent muppets in a cirrus minivan that blindsided the best pilot I knew. never saw it coming.

I ran down that mountain, knowing it was him, knowing what i did not know. there were no one else towing today. he texted me the reminder of my 4 year coma anniversary we had plans to do our usual paraglider/speed flight when he gets off early. but that was before he took off.

dont know what to do now.

shit dude... don't know what to say... other than that sucks big time.

RIP

Go make that speedflight.

He was the only real-life hero I had. He saved my brother.

.....

Blue skies, brother, brothers. You will meet again.

I am glad you are still with us, Matt, and heartbroken that he is not. Alex will not be easily forgotten. A great friend, jumper and pilot will be sorely missed... I am so sorry Matt.

Damn, I hate that for you. Im sorry for your loss.

So sorry Matt.

Very sorry for your loss

Hi my friend, I am so deeply saddened to hear about Alex. Never forget meeting you both together and we nicknamed you the Twins. I can't even imagine what you are going through....my sincerest condolences.
B.

So sorry Matt; I just read it on my Google news feed.

I grieve for your loss.

saw it on the news, had no idea the person who lost his life was a jumper as well.

i'm very sorry for your loss and the family, as well.

Kaye

And so goes the benchmarks in our lives........


I hope you can find some peace, Matt.


Thoughts and prayers, Pete

This hurts... today is gloomier than it had to be. Next time I have a rope set up, first jump is for remembering Alex.

My deepest condolences.

I didn't have the honor of knowing Alex, but I am confident that the world is for sure worse off today.

nick

I was on my way up the mountain when I watched Alex fall from the sky, his plane in pieces. He was the best pilot I knew. the SAFEST pilot I knew. always on the radio, making sure everyone is out of everyone else's way. greasing in a full load of skydivers that opted out of a high wind jump, a 25kt crosswind no sweat for him. My hero. we owned our first plane together. I don;t know why I am online. I guess i find comfort knowing that everyone else here, and the other dorkzone might have the idea of what I am saying.

I was on my way to be with the rest of his friends, his family today.passing a local paraglide site. I happened to notice the windsock looked good. it was snowing.

Alex and I had talked about speed flying this site before, wondering if it would go. the angle is low. 18 degrees at best. the launch is even worse.
If it would go any day, it would be today. but it did not look good.

we drove and hiked, me and a few other jumpers and friends. I got my speed glider out, and sent it. maybe there was a little more headwind than it felt like, maybe a bit more upslope than it looked like, but it went great. first speed descent of that hill yet. a two way alone.

That makes me smile a bit...

That's a painful spiritual experience. Good for the soul. Hard on the heart. Hope you found what you needed to find in that moment. Remember the good times.

Oh man, I am so sorry for your loss. He will live forever in your dreams and memories.

Condolences dude, sorry to hear that.

no one ever is truly dead while another keeps their memory alive. I suspect it might be a long time before you feel like you are flying solo again.

in a sense, it is nothing new. we all separate from those we care about regularly. parent's teachings echo in our heads. we act in ways to honor those who mean much to us. typically, these separations occur when one goes off to school, another goes on extended vacation, etc.

the main difference between now and then is that you know you will not see him again, and that sucks.

sadly, most of us take for granted that we will see someone again... I suspect it increases the suffering.

cherish and support those around you. don't miss opportunities. never part in a regrettable fashion. (your sister shows you much of that when she ground crews for you... I'm sure she had a very rough time after your accident.)

but I doubt I can say anything that will make the pain go away. at least you cared that strongly for another...

No words

So sorry Matt. BASE and aviation are a great life but sadly it also takes our friends.

maybe someday word will get out that doctors and lawyers just shouldn't be pilots. how many more do they need to take with them?

RIP Alex

Oh man, that is quite the story which i am soooo sorry to hear. Im sorry you lost your friend.

I'm sure he will always be with you in memory and spirit though. Many hugs for you.

the Today show on NBC is airing a segment on the accident, right now.

http://www.nbc.com/...r-plane-crash-speak/

I am so sorry for your loss. So unfortunate.

Sorry Matt.