Basejumper.com - archive

I'm transcribing this from a PM I sent, with permission. I thought there might be a couple other people interested in this info. The discussion is regarding the use of static line and ascenders to get back to the exit on legal spans, specifically on a particular legal span in the western United States.

not only all of that, but a person can hike straight up out of the canyon and be at the top in less than 15 min. if you know the route. for anyone who has enough experience to jug 480' it ought not be any trouble at all to find the route... just watch the choss
gardner

Thanks for the info tom, I guess I didn't understand how little of a hassle getting back to the exit point was. Seven bucks isn't bad at all. Always grateful for any help.

I imagine if you were in shape this would be an excellent way for a beginner (or anyone) to reflect on his jump quietly and peacefully, nice.

I think it also has to do with ownership.
The way I understand it, The highway department owns the top of the bridge, and someone else owns the steel structure. The 'someone else' doesn't like BASE and has made it illegal to even step on the structure beneath. This is why it's illegal to jump from the steel.
.02

all that said, having the boat is a huge benefit in the final risk analysis... I'd rather have it there wishing I didn't have to pay for it than not have it there and be willing to pay for it. A boat in the water is a good thing/good sense.

Gardner

I know a certain tattooed Australian who was doing six in a day, hiking out, last summer. I think he made 300 or so from that span in just over three months. That's what happens when you take a starving man to a feast.

Definitely, I think as Tom mentioned in case of an emergency the people in the boat would be great insurance, since they've handled those types of situations probably numerous times (unfortunately)

I think the boat would make the jumping much more enjoyable. Thanks for the info guys, good discussion.

I would think that for alot of BASE jumpers the hike is a welcomed part of it. As a backcountry skiier and snowboarder, I do get into the hike and use it as time for myself. This is one of the reasons BASE attracts me, I would love to combine my obsession of hiking in Utah with my obsession of parachuting.

You'd be surprised how fat and lazy most of us are.

my climbs(only done A´s)i use the time to my self,i only once tryed it were too much,it were when i climbed 900ft.. It took me 1 hour it were a solo,and i desided that i NEVER will do a solo climb to such high anymore... But now is A´s different than the nature,i guess i would walk longer for it while i could see i moved toward the target..

 Hey Freaky, I'm with you, and I'm not alone. Many base jumpers enjoy the work involved in getting a jump. Yes, Tom is right about the lazy chunky types, but there are heaps of jumpers who like to hike and climb. The preparation and effort it takes to get to the exit only add to the overall experience. Somehow it feels better to gear up after having charged up a 3 hour hike, or after setting a personal best up the ladder. Our crew always competes for bragging rights, the best time up the ladder holds almost as much weight as being low puller when it comes to the post jump twist session.
Love the hike, love the climb. It's only one way for cripes sake!
The way I figure it, any time saved climbing the ladder is that much more sleep time. Last time: 1450 ft in 36 minutes.

Slow elevator huh?
Damnit climbing that high in that time would kill most people....(well atleast me)

Right on - not knowing Tom, but having been a huge fan for a good solid couple of years, I'll be he doens't mind hiking

Its akin to the difference between backcountry snowriding and going to the resort I'd imagine. Gimme my backcountry any day over the craziness at them resorts!

Last climb 1450ft in 36 minutes.
WOW, that is a hell of a climb!I am a tower tech,i.e. I climb towers every day. I think I would have a hard time beating your time. You must be in excellent shape!
I was wondering if you guys use a safety climb on the outside climbs or if they are too expensive/too much hassle?Most every tower has a cable and they are easy too use.they can be purchased on E-Bay for as little as $20 and are good insurance against a slip.

Nice! I'm climbing up AND down a 650' ladder (just to get in shape) in about 41 (best) to 48 (second best) minutes using three points of contact for safety at all times. I usually take a short break at midway, and longer break at the top, then again a break to shake out at midway down. These are included in the times.

Do you just use two points? I mean when you reach up with your right arm, do you also raise a leg? Or do you do what I do: raise an arm, hold with that hand, raise the leg and weight the foot, lift second foot, then next hand up to next place beyond. over and over - 3 points always on safely.

I imagine you could really cruise much faster if you had confidence to go with only two points of contact. I think next time I'll climb two points until I start to feel the burn, then switch - that might help speed as long as I don't flash pump.

Climb Fast, Sleep Longer :)

Cheers,

CP

I bow to your superior climbing ability. I have climbed 250-300 in 5-7 minutes on more than a few occasions, but there is no way I could keep up that pace through a tall climb like that. Even though 40FPM is really fast it still isn't as nice as a 100FPM elevator.
Naked BASE 15

That's nothing. I can do HALF that in TWICE as long. Oh, wait...

 


I'd be up for seeing this too. How could you spend so much time on big walls and not get the urge to jump?

edit: by request of original poster

Actually, he has just that! I was around while he was recently skydiving. He found himself a very cool BASE jumping AFF jump master and it seems there's some BASE intentions deep in his heart.

Cool dude, very very laid back and relaxed easy attitude. You'd never know he was a famous climber. Most are so cocky and self righteous.

CP

I wish!!! 2003 so far: 5 jumps, 5 climb downs and coming down hurts more!

Jules

How timely is this?

I've taken to going to the local rock gym a couple times a week with some skydiving buddies. 460 & I have been kicking around merging the two activities because they seem to go hand-in-hand.

In some ways, climbing the object you're going to jump seems to me to be sort of in the spirit of what BASE is about (at least for me).

I climb As all the time, but you guys are posting some seriously impressive times. I just started tracking times more closely and I think my best is 600 feet in about 30 minutes.

I've edited the name of a specific student BASE jumper out of this thread by request.

Even if folks are in magazines for other things, they still may not like having their name connected with BASE.

Thanks.

who have YOU been hanging out with?