Basejumper.com - archive

Word has started to spread and news sites have started to report. After speaking with a few other experienced jumpers we decided to address this here in hopes of protecting family. I have been involved with families, friends, and police for The last two days. The only reason i am posting anything here is that the article has people guessing, partially informed, and stories are getting out. I will post a full incident report at some point. What I can say is that two beautiful people are gone and NOT ALL FAMILIES KNOW. We need to protect families for a few more hours. Please don't spread false information, please be patient, please don't let the parents find out via social media. I love this community and appreciate how you have impacted my life. I am sorry for anyone that does not like this post, it's been a tough time.

Condolences to the families..... All involved are in our thoughts!

I can't believe this

I'm going to lock this thread and remove names until someone PMs me that the family has been notified.

Please refrain from posting a new thread or posting names. I'll unlock this one as soon as I know the family knows.

Thanks!

The local sheriff gave a press conference yesterday with some details:

http://www.ksbw.com/...-identified/37629122

The news article is at least slightly inaccurate (it quotes the first post in this thread and attributes it to me, for example), but it will allow most of us to identify the second jumper at this point.

There have apparently been some difficulties contacting the entire family, and no official notification has been made yet.

Please be sensitive to the family when posting anything publicly on the internet.

I will unlock this thread after official notification has been made.

Message from the Finnish BASE Association:

The family of the Finnish jumper has been notified so this thread can be unlocked. For the last couple of days we have been working hard with the authorities to deal with all the practicalities regarding the accident. I would like to publicly thank Matt Laj from the Californian crew for his invaluable support on the US end on keeping us updated and offering his support and help where ever we have needed it. I trust also that in co-operation with the Californian crew we can in some point release the exact details of the accident although the information currently available in the media has already described the accident in quite detail.

It´s been incredibly hard times for the Finnish crew but the continuous support from the community we´ve been receiving for the last couple of days has kept us going.

If anyone has any questions regarding the accident or wishes to discuss this in more details, feel free to contact me directly.

Many thanks and much love,
Markus / BASE Finland

From meeting him on my first Europe trip in 2007 to him getting arrested while PCAing me off a hotel and telling the Estonian authorities that my name was Matt Frolich, I have many great memories of Rami. He was one of those guys I didn't expect to die jumping, and I guess he really didn't. Really tremendous human being, shown in his actions just before his death. Condolences to my Finnish friends, but of course, FUCK THE FINNS!!!!!!!!!!!

Word

Amazing man and mentor. Had a good few nights hanging out with him and some other cool Finns at my holiday home in Arco drinking rum and hitting the Brento track from San Giov and other exits in the Sarca valley. He beat the list after all these years, and died in a manner that will conjure up stories in our community for years to come. RIP to Katie also, never had the luxury of meeting her but heard great things. May both these people RIP.

I used to live 10-12 mins drive from this little gem and jumped it almost weekly for a couple years. After putting 74 ff jumps off it, I cant count on my fingers and toes how many times I walked off due to winds but never once due to high tides and/or higher water levels in Bixby Creek. Jumped many times in high tide conditions, always just sank hard to avoid the water.

Im trying to piece together what led up to the accident. Anyone have a reliable website to check PAST wind conditions and tides? A strong off-shore wind would have certainly made it more difficult to sink it in and avoid landing near the surf. I never considered the landing area "small" (for BASE standards). I'm wondering how much of the beach these "big waves" (according to media reports) consumed?

For the sake of discussion, anyone have objects they regularly jump located on the coast where tides/surf conditions could be a potential hazard? Care to share any stories or advise?

Another article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3417470/2-BASE-jumpers-presumed-dead-jumping-bridge.html

Condolences to Family and Friends. Very sad.

ahhh yes Charlie, he had a great sense of humor. he was a great friend and always helpful and giving since we first met some ten years ago... dammmmmit.

he will be missed by so many, such a damn legend and true hero. so fortunate to have spent a week with him recently.

thoughts and hugs to our Finnish family... much love.

FTF!!!

Past tide data: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/...amp;timelength=daily

Past wind data: http://www.wunderground.com/...&reqdb.wmo=99999

It was just after high tide when they jumped at around 7:30am.

Tides have been unusually high and strong due to El Nino. Sea cliffs eroding into house foundations and such. There have been two drownings at Mavericks recently which is pretty rare too.

I'm curious whether she was PCA'd or unpacked, higher opening altitude would increase likelihood of going long. I can't imagine two jumpers described as experienced being at that exit and not having a solid plan for the Pacific Ocean in front of them, especially with a tailwind. Had either of them made this jump before?

So he landed safely but jumped in the water to save her?
Have they been found yet? Or still missing?

I was there about a week before this and freefell it after PCAing my friend. With the slight (2-5mph) tailwind, he had plenty of time to fly out, turn it around, and land as far inland on the beach as possible. After freefalling it and correcting my 45 left, I was low enough that I didn't have altitude to turn it around and had to land crosswind, fairly close to the water. I could easily see if the winds were stronger and you freefall it, getting pushed into the water.

"I could easily see if the winds were stronger and you freefall it, getting pushed into the water."......

All the more reason not to jump a very wind-sensitive, lowish, object in stronger winds and high tides.

I'm a NorCal surfer and I can tell you the swell has been wayyy up the this winter with El nino and it was pumping last week. I would describe the surf conditions as very dangerous to anyone but seasoned locals and even we've been getting regular beatings.

The ocean is no joke, especially up here this time of year.

Here is what I have come up with. I will obviously check in if more is discovered. I can't go crazy searching and trying anymore. I likely will not answer questions right now, explain, or even read this post again for a few weeks. Love this community. Not slowing down, but definitely hurt, confused, growing. Sorry of I don't handle this perfectly.
No one has the right to reprint this for other uses. This is merely what we have pieced together and believed to have happened. was not there.

Bixby creek bridge: base fatality and a heroes death

Rami and Katie left to go to Bixby creek bridge. They told friends they planned to jump there, but had a number of other locations planned as well. Phones do not work in that coastal area. They did not return on Friday as they had told people and planned, which was very out of character. On Saturday, Katie was not back in time for work and our concerns turned to fear.

Friends and family did everything they could to talk to people that had heard from them, seen them last, or had plans to see them. A lot of information was offered. If someone contacts you looking for base friends, do not turn the conversation into you trying to get facts unless they are asking for your help on that level. Offer only facts, or at least say this is merely opinion/speculation/possibility or ideas, then be patient and optimistic. Our community is curious and wants information, that is fine, but do not add or interfere with the stress, rescue, investigation. Information will come, helping the situation and our peers is what matters. Protecting objects future jumping potential when friends may be in distress at that location is against everything we stand for as a community. Nothing matters but helping our friends.

A missing persons report brought police to Bixby creek bridge on Saturday evening where they had noted a car in the parking lot for several days. The rental car was registered to Rami. They also spotted what turned out to be Rami's canopy and helmet/camera in the beach below the bridge. The following morning search and rescue went to work. They did not recover anything else. Nothing. The bodies have not been recovered to date.

What I have been able to confirm is that his camera turns on and they discuss and plan the jump. Katie will jump first and be pca'ed. Rami will jump second. They choose a small landing area to the jumpers right of the stream that dissects the already small landing area. The area they choose is very small but allows them not to cross the stream, therefor staying dry :( . This area is smaller and closer to the ocean, however. The conditions were poor during their prejump and set up. There was a steady tailwind and violent winter swell at near high tide with a smaller than usual LZ. This object appears to be paradise, it is very much a blue to black diamond (using resort skiing technical rating).

Katie was pca'ed. She let out a celebration "wahoooo," then flew the right hand pattern discussed. She turns and simply does not have the penetration expected due to under estimated winds and lack of wing loading. She landed in the wash Of the waves. Her canopy fell behind her in the breaking waves. She was immediately in a struggle in which she was outmatched, as most anyone would have been. Other jumpers have lost canopies on much better conditions. No evidence of the cutaway handle being used or if it would have helped in this situation. She had one on her rig.

Rami briefly watches from the top and didn't say anything, but realizes the situation and appeared to rush his jump. He free fell the jump in a hurried manner. He had a short flight, but clearly is dealing with wind and panic. He had a falling hands, arms, and knees down landing. He stripped his gear. That is where the facts end. Everything else is speculation.

Their jump was on Wednesday, the concerns began Friday, the search party began Saturday evening, the search and rescue worked on sunday. After reviewing video and knowing a violent front had moved through for days they called off the search after one day. There was nothing they could do. Simply the ocean, weather, area, and overall situation was far too extreme.

It's nice to call such a respected jumper a hero, but inwould rather call him alive. An early lesson in any emergency response training is not to make things worse by putting yourself in harms way. It only complicates matters for the original victim, the attempted rescuer, and further rescue. Of course, what he did is what legends are made of and nothing can take that away from him or us, but we should all think deeply on whether we would want someone to give their life for our own. This may be speculation too. Simply, we don't know how we will respond in these situations until we are in them. We are a community of extremes, life and death, not living to norms, and going against our fears. I understand and love that. Rami IS a hero. But keep in mind, that losing more life only makes things worse.

Matt Laj

I will miss my Good friend the Kipa or as I would say to him #Athlete #Stashbag

He died a hero and I will remember all the great times we shared living together and also jumping together

I don't need to say anything more as we all knew him in our own way and we all know he is a Fucken legend

Goodbye my friend

Matt I really appreciate everything you have done over the last week and that's a big RESPECT from me but I believe a lot of other jumpers would agree you have done so much for this insane Accident ..


I did not know Katie like you did mate but I can tell she had some good energy with her to grab Ramster and get tracking for next season base sessions

Thank you for looking after my friends

Patto

A really great Post for the information gathered and shared, and some very useful insights around responding to emergencies. There is no doubt that Rami felt a "call to action" that defined the spirit that people are recognizing in his many circles, while honoring his sacrifice. It really makes a person wonder, at what point do I accept that the person I am jumping with is in trouble beyond my ability to save them...and if there could ever be a sensible reaction to occur in this manner when the pressure of time/drowning is present. It seems the fatal flaw of the Base Jumper spirit is to never give up and so off we go ... It seems all too many times that I have witnessed the fatality before I could even feel the "call to action" because base jumping has fatal tendencies. But with such a loss in this community it makes me rethink the types of scenarios I should be prepared to manage, that extend beyond the base jump.(Water landings, grizzly attacks in my geography is a notable one, etc).

In this case, as posted above, there is limited cell service and really nothing a Beacon or anything could do given this scenario as far as rescue and urgency. I am wondering from a factual standpoint if Rami developed a plan with any intention. In particular, did he carry a hook knife on his gear? Is it still in place on his container or did he take that with him with some intention? I had met him only a few times abroad but he seemed really calm and collective and extremely genuine. Given that he had gear checked the other jumper, he may have recognized that she did have a three ring system and obviously felt like he could help without tools? But by the sounds of it, this would be a dangerous swim given the tide conditions even with ideal swimming skills and buoyancy devices.

Regardless, it is an extraordinary loss. It would be a shame if this incident was just labelled a freak event, because I think there is a huge component to this incident which should be discussed with fellow jumpers while assessing conditions and looking beyond the safety aspect of "just " the freefall and canopy flight/Landing. I am reminded of Frank G and a few other incidents like watching exposure at the top of #7 almost claim a jumper via hypothermia. I am certain that in each jump there is probably something just before/beyond the jump that can also kill you ... a bear, dehydration, exposure/hypothermia and to honor this loss and the hero in Rami, it would be great to mentor new jumpers accordingly and old jumpers the same:) The story of this Jump and the Heroic effort carries with it a legacy that could in fact save another life, if just one jumper decides to carry an inflatable buoyancy attachment at this particular jump or carries bear spray etc.

My heart aches for those who are feeling this loss beyond words.

Kris

I had always wondered if something like this would happen at this object. I have 7 or 8 jump off that bridge, beautiful place. I've never really talked with people about this bridge, but I don't think it gets enough credit for its potential dangers, short (260?), small landing area that an overshoot leads to a swim, and on top of it no cell service so if you do get hurt you might be up shit creek anyway. I've walked away from a few because of tailwinds with high surf. I've also sat around reading for a few hours before, waiting for the winds to become perfect. It's kinda has that mountain effect there I think? Winds pushing offshore in the morning and usually switching sometime during the day to onshore? Not always but usually? I don't remember, it's been a while. I didn't know these two people, but a very sad event. They must of jumped it very early in the morning (when the offshore push is even stronger) to have no witnesses.

It might not have saved Katie, but uhf radios and epirbs would seem useful gear to have for this object, even if maybe less useful than knowing the weather, tide and swell conditions to avoid.

The radio can let the emergency services (or other help) know there's a life at risk, and discuss the strategy for saving them. Most have a pretty long range. At least the heroic effort can have the benefit of knowing that qualified help will be despatched directly. A search two days later has near zero probability of saving anyone.

Epirbs could at least save the families the anguish of a loved one missing-presumed-dead experience.

Condolences to all who knew them.

Are both deaths considered base fatalities, in ther words, do they both get listed on the BFL?

s I understand it, the 1st fatality (Katie), is considered a BASE fatality (by drowning). Rami jumped, landed and dropped his equipment. He seemed to have drowned while trying to rescue the first jumper. So he is not listed on the BFL (but will be in the "gone but not forgotten" list)

BFL - Posted... January 30th, 2016 at 08:33 AM:


"Reading is Fundamental"

Does it really matter??

Sure will, thanks for the response. In a world where heroic and epic are as commonplace as good and bad, it sounds like that really was a heroic attempt to save his friend. Really sad stuff.

Knew I would get an uneccasary response just like that. I wasn't disrespectful in the least and simply didn't know the answer, which another poster kindly responded. It obviously does matter, not a great deal in the grand scheme of things, but it does nonetheless.

yeah well thats just like, you know, your opinion, man.......

Thanks mate..

We talked a lot about Going in and I know deep down in our dark humour he is happy he aint on the list....

I smile every time i see a picture or some jumping videos with the Raven. For those of you that have a Raven tracking suit, you lucky fuckers.

All I got was a Raven shirt

May he rest in peace.

I must also note although I write the list I 100% believe he should not be on the list. I am not bias in any way and write the list without using emotions or favouring anyone...

If anyone has anything to say on this please I would be more then happy to take Private messages to discuss this.

The list is there to understand and learn from what has happened... There will be a lot more to learn from this double fatality than what has been written, once the media slows down we will add much more information on this Jumping Object..

I also ask if you are around a Base jumping fatality then please be in touch. It's hard to be everywhere all the time and the list is there for EVERY JUMPER to learn. If you don't share the information you could be harming your fellow jumper's knowledge and understanding - Just because you understand what went wrong does not mean another jumper does...

Safe jumps to all..

I don't believe he should be on the List either. His jump was successful - he did not go in.

Just my 2c.

BSBD

I don't think he should be on the list.

That said, it would be a total waist as to not learn from Rami's death.

1) Never underestimate the power of water. In the 2004 tsunami, people were swept away by just 10 inches of water. So, think twice when you are close to (cold) fast flowing water or high swell. And think again about not having a 3-ring.
2) I hate to say it, but in the army we were taught a basic lesson: "own safety first". You can not save anybody if you are hurt, or dead.

I know, that is said easily and I can not think for Rami and I don't pretend I do. But still, it feels so sad he is not there anymore.

Fly free Rami.

Not confirmed yet, but Rami may have been recovered:
http://www.montereyherald.com/...e-jumper-rami-kajala

Condolences to all the friends & families.
Let's take away that objective hazards like fast moving river water and ocean swell hazards should be treated like a hungry grizzly bear on a bungee cord leash.

A 36 "PC filled with water is is around, dang i forgot. 80lbs i think. i could do more research if you wish. Water is about 200 x thicker than air. add that to your body weight + the diminishing factor that humans are 75% water type fluids and one can see that it sucks for one´s pc fallinginto moving water.
take care,
Space.