Jumping Site Guidelines: Italian Terminal Wall 2013
Note to Admins, I've combined the various ITW posts from the 'sticky' thread into an updated single post. 2013 season hasn't really kicked off yet but the helicopter has been called 4 times already. If you are planning to visit this year please read the following.
ITW was opened about 2 decades ago by French jumper Eric Beaud. After some incidents the site was closed but thanks to the work of the local jumpers was reopened with the following "Self regulating" rules in place:
RULES FOR AUTOSETTLEMENT FOR THE SAFE PRACTICE OF BASE JUMPING ON THE TERRITORY OF THE PROVINCE OF TRENTO
1. Holder of a sport skydiving license, minimum 300 skydives, at least 100 in the last 12 months. If you have less than 15 BASE jumps you are considered a student and should be under the supervision of an acknowledged BASE jump instructor (*).
2. Access to BASE sites of Province of Trento having done at least 50 BASE jumps with the exception of MB where it is enough to have done 15 BASE jumps.
3. Use exclusively equipment and material SPECIFIC for BASE jumping. Do not use sport skydiving equipment, original or modified.
4. Do not jump in case of adverse weather conditions, wind speed greater than 2 m/sec (5 knots)or insufficient visibility.
5. Always do a check-in - check-out procedure with ground crew or with other equivalent reference.
6. Follow strictly times and procedures established for the particular site, also with reference to equipment in use. For jumps from MB they are recommended the following times and procedures for freefall: not less than 7 and not more 8 seconds of vertical freefall in box position, or not less than 7 seconds and not more than 12 seconds for the jumpers capable of doing an EFFECTIVE track (at least to pass over the talus). BASE jumpers equipped with single canopy rigs shall have to do an effective track in order to pass over the talus at the base of the “Vertigine” wall.
7. Do not jump after sunset.
8. Once on the exit, move with extreme caution in order to avoid fall of stones.
9. For possible rescue calls, call 118.
10. In case or helicopter rescue, the canopy, if possible, shall be cut away and discarded or folded and disposed in order not to be affected by turbulence caused by helicopter rotors, avoiding so a dangerous source of danger for both the possible dragging of the injured jumper and the helicopter.
In addition to these rules:
ITW is not for beginners, 7 of the 12 fatalities here involved people with less than 5 BASE jumps total. 2 were 1st jumps..
The 'Ora' wind is regular most days, in the summer jumping after midday is not advised, wind speeds often exceed 25 - 30 knots!
Always have a radio or telephone when you jump.
If the condition of a jumper is unknown then call for help 118.
Once the helicopter is called STOP jumping and leave the exit point as falling rocks could take out the rescue helicopter.
If the condition of the jumper is known and there is no need for the helicopter (e.g. tree landing without injury) then ask the girls in the bar to call the local fire brigade.
Please DO NOT litter!
Please don't land in the trees. Pulling low is a poor way to impress. Too much wind? Better to wait or hike down. Acceptable wind? Then turn into to it to and "crab" to stay upwind.
When driving up and down the mountain always be prepared to meet oncoming traffic and sound your horn prior to the blind corners, open your window slightly to hear the reply. There have been a couple of serious accidents in the past.
By Italian law you can only leave the scene of an accident if:
-the Carabinieri (police) attend and inform you that you may leave.
OR
-the drivers fill in the insurance accident form and BOTH sign it.
Please bear in mind that it is a public road, it is possible to meet tractors, cyclists and wildlife in addition to oncoming traffic.
Leave your car at the parking area just after SG. Do NOT try and drive your car up the forest tracks as this is forbidden.
If you need to go "doody poo poo" near the exit please don't do it on the path and bury it.
The local council hope that BASE will mature and grow - they want us as jumpers to manage ourselves, educating and sharing knowledge to help minimize the accidents - ESPECIALLY accidents caused by low experience and lack of knowledge. They will also support us in this process.
The most important thing we can do though is look out for ourselves and each other. If the wind is too strong better to wait or even hike down. Better try again tomorrow than to risk your life unnecessarily and also the lives of the mountain rescue volunteers and helicopter crew..
No-one expects "zero" accidents but many of the accidents that happen here could be prevented with better preparation and training.
PLEASE Come and enjoy ITW but PLEASE jump it in a responsible way.
