Basejumper.com - archive

So, I have a few interesting (I think) questions for discussion. It somewhat goes against manufacturer's recommendations, so it requires extra thinking. That's why I am asking. For some extra thought help.
When is the wind too much? Are gusts more dangerous than pure wind velocity?
I am facing a situation where my instincts say go, but my brain says no.
The weather is less than ideal (snowy, windy, and gusty) and am thinking about a BASE jump. Not necessarily making one, but thinking about one.
A 1200 foot object, with perfect landing conditions on the ground as far as clear fields. The wind would be somewhere in the 15-25 mph range, but gusts come and go, and gusts can get up to 45mph on the ground.
So, if I timed the wind perfectly, and if the wind followed a pattern, I should theoretically be able to make this dreamed up jump happen. But, there are 2 ifs in that last statement, and it is mostly theoretical.
Any input on this? Can this be accomplished, or has it been? Can this be somewhat safe, or should I just get drunk instead? Or better yet, just hang out with friends and have one or two, and not even get drunk?
Thoughts, comments, and suggestions welcome. Let's hear what y'all think. Please be honest though.
Peace,
Thomas

I'm no BASE jumper, but if conditions were not perfect (or as close as), I would walk away (while I still can)

Gusts of more than 10 mph can collapse your canopy. With wind ranging from 15 to 45 (possible 30 mph gusts) you're hosed.

There will be no way to pick a lull from 1200'. With wind this inconsistent, you will have no way of knowing what the wind is doing at opening altitude when you are standing at the exit. Even if you could know, the inconsistencies of ground wind varying by as much as 30 mph will have a high chance of collapsing your canopy on final, dropping you to the ground and seriously injuring or killing you.

Stay home and drink.

Imagine coming in to land with, say, a 25mph headwind. 30 feet from the ground, the wind momentarily picks up to 40mph and then a moment later there is a lull. Your canopy will then surge forward dramatically and you will also pendulum forward. These landing can be tricky and you sometimes experience them near tree lines and on some hectic downtown building jumps. They can be done with a little luck. But for this sort of jump where injury is a possibility, at a minimum, leave a "float plan," something boaters do when going out so a friend, etc. knows your in trouble if you don't come home by such-and-such an hour.

when in doubt is better to stay home, drink and have sex.

I agree with all of the above advice. My favorite object rarely has ground winds (Lucky ME!), but I've seen the wind do all sorts of direction changes between 200' all the way up to the top. If you haven't heard the ole skydiver saying then here goes, "It's better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here." So I'd have to say hang out with some good friends and talk BASE that night instead. Or better yet, go exploring for other sites, there is never enough objects to flick!

Just my words.

Anyway 1mph is somthing like 1,3m/s rigth,i wouldnt jump in any wind i woudnt send a student skydyver up to.that means aprox 10m/sMAX.

But i like the snow thing anyway...

Be Safe!!!
Stefan Faber

A simple quote I live by: "The object is NOT going anywhere". It will be there tomorrow, and the next day, next month.....

In the 1980's, there was even a special BASE number created, that has not really stuck, but I think is a great thing:
The Chicken BASE number.
Chicken off all 4 objects....

A moment of silence please, in honor of a fallen sister...

Cool....I'll start on those this weekend. Do I actually have to get out of the car or can I just drive by?

I think you have to have rig on and ready to jump, but then decide NOT to....