Re:
My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the friends and family.
I don't know much about this accident as I was not there and did not know the jumper personally, so I cannot make any informed commentary on it specifically. However, this seems like a relevant place to mention a couple of things to other jumpers who may want to visit this spot. If it's not the right place, then maybe a moderator can move it and I apologize for its being out of place, in that case.
In just a few weeks' time (during last summer and this summer), and with very few total jump numbers from this exit, much has happened:
At least 2 highly experienced jumpers had tree landings near the landing field
2 fatalities (experienced jumpers) in almost the same spot, at almost the same time of day
1 experienced jumper made an unsuccessful suicide attempt in a spot close to the 2 fatalities
Other jumpers have flown and opened in prohibited areas (myself included, I admit, 1 time)
The Brevent is an amazing place, because the access is easy and the lines are varied and fun. But they are also much steeper and much more complex than most jumps being flown by most people today. This means that, even if you're an "experienced" jumper, you can still experience something new while flying here. New is fun, for sure, but is it a good idea to try new things with your wingsuit at Brevent? Personally, I don't really think so.
Should you try a really short start over a ledge and under a cable with a mandatory turn, for the first time?
Should you try to dive into a steep twisting couloir from "max glide" (which can, for some pilots, mean slower airspeed) position, for the first time?
Should you stick to your proximity line longer than normal, because you think you'll probably be able to pull away with enough altitude?
Should you do a multi-way jump and film your buddies in an environment that contains all of the new elements described above?
Should you do several large (1500m vert) proximity flights in one day, maybe pushing the limits of your stamina?
Again, this is not meant as a commentary on this particular accident, it's just food for thought for the jumpers who want to come visit.
We all want to grow and progress in this sport, and to fly exciting new lines. So how can we do that if we're not trying new stuff? I know that no one asked for it, but my humble suggestion is to try the new stuff one step at a time, at a site which doesn't have such sharp (rocky) teeth.
Before you come:
Have some seriously short start experience. 140m is not a joke.
Know what it feels like to go from best-glide to a sharp diving turn, and know EXACTLY how your suit performs in this configuration.
Know EXACTLY how your suit performs in a steep sustained proximity flying dive, maybe even steeper than you've tried while skydiving.
Know EXACTLY how distracting a multi-way proximity flying / filming / whatever wingsuit jump can be in big terrain.
These are all things that can be practiced at other more forgiving sites.
Posts like this are a dime-a-dozen on this forum and I don’t imagine this will make a big difference. I normally refrain from writing anything because there is almost no point - we read it, we think "yeah, ok, whatever", and then we go and do our thing. We all think that accidents are more likely to happen to other jumpers than to us. I am as guilty of this as anyone, in some ways, but Brevent is a tricky spot and although I have many jumps there I still feel like there is much potential for carnage and I really want everyone (and especially everyone I know) to stay safe. None of us are immune to these mistakes, and staying safe requires an inhuman amount of vigilance.
Maybe some other jumpers who have been regulars at this site can comment with their advice and experiences as well, for the greater good.
-Matt