Basejumper.com - archive

Last night I made my first “pure” solo jump. It was the situation that the weather had been shit for a month some people were away others had written off the night as a no-go and as I stood looking out of the kitchen window doing the washing up I noticed that the night was still – not how it was forecast. It was 1am and there is no way that my jumping partner is going to do a 5 hour round journey. I grabbed my kit and off I went into the night. The 1 hour drive to the object I was questioning all the possible risks involved in going solo. Maybe I was even trying to talk myself out of it. I arrived at the parking spot grabbed my gear – locked the car and lit a cigarette – I took a walk to the object and although normally a light breeze at ground level it was still. It was a perfect jumping night and I was alone at 2am with only the stars and object as company. I accessed the object and started my ascent. I had some time for some very interesting introspection. I am but still a baby in this sport – but if ever there is a time where the confirmation happens that you are doing this only for yourself – this was it!

On top I took some time to take in the view – this is my time and there is no one else around to have any influence on this – its purely you. I kit up and take some time to feel good. I know people think soloing is a bad thing – but I know the risks and I had accepted them. I climb onto the exit and look around at the view and feel. I jump – I feel alive – I land – I gather up and make my way to the car I cant get rid of the smile on my face!


Jumping with friends is great, – but I have just found that solos are more personal.

as a note - i know the dangers and the risks involved - which is why i will not be doing them (that much! )


edited as i wish i had the grasp of language to exactly explain the feelings - but those that know will know what i am trying (poorly) to explain!

Congrets mate.Nice one.You gonna owe beer for that one

Nice.

My first (and only, so far) true solo was in many respects one of the greatest personal achievements of my life. The only fear possibly greater than the fear of death is dying alone. That I was able to confront that fear is what makes that jump special to me.

And even though you should prepare the same every single jump, I felt like I was just that little extra prepared and focused because I had no other distractions. I was purely in the moment.

Congrats!

Don't you know smoking will kill you!!!! I just hope that someday I will have a chance to experience what you did.

You were doing the washing up? At 1AM?

oops sorry....... your right that aint cool........... so i was "washing up" and i am such a cheap bastard I was using bicarb!

well the most frigtend i have tryed so far were a solo,whith my first slider up and first stowed(only jump ever so far).
I dont know why but i dont really trust a setup whith a slider on.Its made to slow down the opening,and i want a canopi when i call at it.Well ofcours this is a mental fight,which i one day will lose or win

While i have 28solos(23 or so total alone,no ground crew or what ever)and 2 were i had my mentor whith.I think its "normal" to do solos and focus on the "safe"factor,besides if there were more jumpers/ground crew.Im afraid that some one jumps,becours they feel forced to,or in better word,they dont want lose face to others.
I see a bigger thing than do solos.That should be to walk away from the object.It could all be perfect,but you walk down,becours you dont feel it rigth.That gives far more respect from me than a solo.Not that a solo aint worth,but i think that the person that deside to deside not to jump does somthing bigger.

Well again congret Mac,we all know it never happened becours you dont have it at tape
Lokking forward to jump whith you.

ps while you are so good in a kitchen,you should do the sandwiches...and dont forget my Branston Pickles

Mac does many things solo. Particularly having sex.

that must be more scary than do a solo BASE
this one i dont need video of,i belive you

I saw the video you posted on skydivingmovies.com....WICKED lookin leg man

he he yes,more pics at my web tomorrow(monday),i have no longer externfixator in.It were removed whithout any drugs/pain killer...

nice to see you are still around skin! i have you to thank for all of this!!!

I completely understood it. And I was completely with your story as you told it...

How amazing it must be to be somewhere, totally alone. The quiet must be deafening, and the stillness heavy. The silence surrounds you...and somehow, it's alive, loud even, and it reaches for you, brings you into it's heart...and the stars shine and sing...the music is there when you listen with your soul. And then you trust - with everything you trust - and leap out, knowing the night will catch you...

Yes, I understand, Mac. And while I've never BASEd, I thoroughly appreciate what you are communicating...Thank you!!

Ciels-
Michele

ohh i know but i think you nailed it pretty good(while we need to think that your a mincer).
Good writing

i aint giving you branston pickle - you only waste it by smearing it on your body and touching yourself!

I know i have only done once what you have done 30 times before! - i aint talking solos im talking self pleasure!

It would only be a waste if you tryed to catch me to licl it off,well atleast i can just hump away from such a old guy as you

I have no problems to mastrubate and do a girl aswell,im werry sorry you cant...Say the word VIAGRA

Agreed. It makes me concentrate much more on safety. As in.....if I can't get myself away from the situation......I have severe SHIT coming. Laws, breakage, rehab, hospitals, and medical bills.
Solo BASE jumps are something else. No pilot, no other jumpers, no "cheering crowds". And...if it not on video...it never happened.

Congrats on the Solo Mac. Happy groundrush!!

Later,
Thomas

you mean cows?ive heard that Mac like to jump places were the cows has a week heart.In that way he once killed a cow.His so kynical that he placed his helmet on the cow and took a pic

man you dont know what we were going to do with it the next day! but the farmer took it away!

yes i do,but think it were a scary too story,to tell here

he he sure i would say that aswell if i were in your place

I just got home from a solo attempt on a local object with a tough landing area. I have missed my chance on this object a couple of times due to wind...and avoided it other times due to the less than nice landing area, but I decided today was the day to go for it...and I relished the thought of the solo in BFE experience too. I climbed part the way up...sat on a rail and thought....and then thought some more...as I thought, I really wished I had a cigarette (even though I quit {again} 2 months ago).

I considered what could go wrong and what it would be like trying to crawl to my truck with a broken leg...all alone...in the desert...in the cold...hoping my cell phone wouldn't break with my leg....then I thought about asking for a "cell phone ground crew" in advance....but that wasn't what I really wanted to do...so instead I decided to backdown. I am home on my couch with a beer in hand and I don't regret my decision....or my desire to try again....even though I didn't jump it was a very interesting experience.

This is a great sport! even when you wuss out!

congratulations!

I believe you end a good BASE experience by simply walking back into your home. jump? NOT required. (don't underestimate the difficulty of saying no and climbing down.)

being alone on a tower, accompanied only by thoughts... moon? stars? fog? bird? silence. sweet!

it IS an amazing thing.

there always a tomorrow, the A is not going any place, take your time if your landing are good go to the bridge and make jump.

Wow - a 5 1/2 year thread bump. Still valid though

November 22nd 08, jump 46.

Won't forget that one, massive respect to people who do it on a regular basis. Its a whole other mind set.