Basejumper.com - archive

It's a hard letter to write and an even harder decision I've had to make over the past 3-4 months. Although I started BASE jumping in 1988 with two jumpers in the top 200 of base numbers, I've logged just over 475 logged base jumps and probably a score of unlogged ones as well. My entire life has revolved for years around this sport. I've even at times during my career assumed that I would also wind up one day on the World BASE Fatality List, assuming I would jump into my old age. The death of Lee a.k.a. Skypunk, and then especially the fatality of one of the best people I ever knew in my entire life....a guy I truly loved hardcore...Nik Hartshorne started my re-evaluation of why in the hell do I still jump????? Because it's a hell of a rush and that rush has never seemed to diminish despite the years , roadtrips, IPBC competitions, trips to Europe, etc.. Despite this, I've decided to shift my attention back to flying and getting a multi-engine rating which is a hobby that my wife can enjoy as well. I do not want to lose any more friends in the sport. I cannot justify it. Everytime my wife even meets a jumper that she gets to know, love, and trust....they phuckin die!!! I do plan to keep a rig or two, because there are some awesome and safe jumps within my easy access...just in case . It's the "lifestyle" of BASE that I have to abandon, and it's been a bitch of a summer and fall coming to grips with this. Yuri, you're a great friend and I still want to hook up with you for some climbing, rafting, kayaking, flying. This is the hardest shit I've ever had to type in my near 40 years of existence.
Stay safe, take it low, email me if you want to chew my ass out!!! base386@dropzone.com
p.s. The "banana canopy " which many of you IPBC'rs feared, which incidentally had 132 of 138 on heading openings and was a winner of canopy openings at Tombstone few years ago is yours Yuri if you want it. It needs attention. I'll hang on to my 265!!!!
Ciao

Fair Play mate........... a tough decision indeed........

But hey........the number "386" is yours forever............ no one can ever take that from you.......

Peace out and fly free...........

Sike!!!!!!!!!!!! No, in reality, I don't plan on quitting base jumping but this shit has been going through my head for a while. The idea for the bluff came from watching Young Guns today when Emilio Estevez was writing his letter of surrender to Sheriff Brady and the governor. But seriously, let's quit with the fuckin dyin' for christ's sake. I'm catchin shit left and right from family and friends. Hell, I have fun going flat and stable, and have for 14 years. I am a true soft cock but have intact protoplasm. I believe that BASE jumping when approached intelligently can be a SAFE SPORT. 4 questions must be asked and responded to affirmatively...
#1 Is weather appropriate for the jump?
#2 Is my gear appropriate for the jump?( and checked)
I mean shit, am I really a pussy for asking a buddy for a gear check before I launch??
#3 Am I psychologically prepared to make the jump, or even sober enough?
#4 Am I skilled enough to pull off this same jump 100 times in a row??
No, a 50 or 75% score on this test is a failure. Get it?

Sorry for the scare Yuri!!! Give me a call about the trip you were wanting to make. You can still have the banana canopy though, as a former team psilocybin psilution member to a team "Old and Brittle" as Nik used to say, I do prefer a 265.

Flame away you crazy phucks!!

MuthaPhuqker!!.............. hehehehe..........

Well I guess I dont know you and know your sense of humour............. so not great surprise I was duped!! - Well done you !! hehehehe

I agree with ya though .......this sport can be done safely......... as much as it allows........

my aims and objectives in this sport is not to be able to pull off a double gainer from sub 300ft, or to fly birdman off an A or to freefall sub200 (well maybe

a few times)........... my aim is to get through my jumping life enjoying the "flat and stable" and loving the groundrush whilst staying [serious] injury free.......... Yes shit does happen and people do get injured or die - but I do everything i can to ensure I jump as safely as possible.......... I walk down / away alot - but I also maintain a nice current jumping life............. if I do get injured or die - I hope it will be because of a "shit happens" thing and not anything that means my last words are "I knew I should not of done that - bugger"

Dont do things beyond your skill or that are marginal - then everyone can be safe and have fun................. lots of fun

funny thing were that i once thourght about how it would be to Quit the sport of BASE,in the case it were becours i were afraid of loosing more freinds.i found out that by stop jumping wouldnt be the end of a freindship,and if my freinds still jumps,the danger is still there..

Hope i explain so it can be understanded. I do fear death or injuryes of my fellow jumpers.

I guess ill stop the day i deside the risk aint worth anymore,or i wont be abel to jump anymore...

my biggest fear will be the day im not scared jumping off objects,that day i scare myself so much that ill stop jumping..but else.. well i guess im the enigeizer(a lazy one) bunny,i just keep climbing and jumping

Yo mi amigo!

drop me a line please at stokelyc@syncor.com

long time, no talk. and things are very interesting!

and many thanks for lending me the rig a while back.

take care,

Yo Mike!

Doing a trip as we speak, beautiful snow scenery! Still waiting for a call, would ring you from the exit if your damn cell had service... Some old faces here, everybody says hi ;-) Let's party and chat soon!

bsbd!

Yuri.

You rock...Stay consistent

386