Basejumper.com - archive

The XXXXXX in XXXXXX County is the third highest in the United States and a favorite destination for daredevil parachutists. However, that's a distinction officials would like to change.

It's called BASE jumping, an acronym for Building, Antenna, Span and Earth. It involves parachuting off of earth-bound objects, such as high bridges. It should come as little surprise that BASE jumping is against the law in most places it is practiced. Just this week, a sheriff's deputy cited three men for BASE jumping from the XXXXX Bridge. Last week, an Israeli was critically injured in a jump from the bridge when his parachute failed to open completely.

From the very beginning, the 730-foot-tall XXXXXX Bridge has had a strong lure for BASE jumpers. "There's something that really strikes their fancy because ever since the bridge has been open, people have been jumping off it in some way," said Lt. Karl Fulenwider of the XXXXX County Sheriff's Department.

Now the Sheriff's Department is launching a crackdown on jumpers. They've vowed that those who violate laws against parachuting from the structure will be arrested and prosecuted.

XXXXX County occasionally allows stunts on the bridge, such as the a spectacular parachute jump from a falling car in the action movie "Triple X" two years ago. In most cases, however, concerns about liability make jumping without permission an arrestable offense.

The owner of an Auburn firm that makes parachutes and other equipment for BASE jumpers said illegal jumping is bad for business. "It creates a bit of a stigma, casts a shadow on us," said Adam Filippino of Consolidated Rigging. "You know, skiing is not illegal, [but] skiing out of bounds might not be sanctioned."