How to get into BASE jumping

Nathaniel Holt wrote: Thanks man! I knew ud come around :-) I can afford a set up... and obviously that was quite an idiotic thing for me to say... I dont really want to go jump off a cliff by myself with no training. I just want to learn. So it was a stupid way to approach things. It does paint the picture of "I want what I want, and I want it right now, and if you dont give it to me..." I really am not that way. And would rather take the slow step by step method. But regardless Hanks 30k fast track plan is out of my budget (and Id assume most peoples. Which I hope doesnt make them entitled bitches bc they cant afford that). Meaning, I still have no clue how to approach learning. At least Iv learned Im an suicidal, entitled, insulting person. I can tell my shrink we can stop talking about mom for a while. I got a whole new bag of issues to address :-)

That's not my 30k fast track plan, that's Chris Macnamaras. This sport is full of monetarily challenged people that sacked up, sold shit, saved up, worked another job and patiently bided thier time wisely learning and walking the walk. Starting your BASE quest off with that 1st post is just bad business for you. Glad you see that. Say hi to grayghost tonight and good luck.

Please understand that I was/am not dissing BASE in the least. Just trying to let the kid understand flying concepts. I fly speedwings, paragliders, and hang gliders... I am always aware that I am falling, we can pause it for a moment, but you are going down. This was not a knock on BASE.

My way of expressing that last night was ill written. I think two days after a local death, combined with "I want to fly!" got to me a little.

Certainly a situation for more direct mentoring in any case.

Hey bros, I really want to sail around the world! Sick! I can't afford a boat or sailing lessons though, and don't know how to swim or even want to spend the time learning how to first. I tied a bedsheet to a broom and duct taped it onto an old canoe someone was giving away on craiglist. I'm starting in San Francisco next week - who wants to go with me and show me how to do it?

Andrew Gram wrote:Hey bros, I really want to sail around the world! Sick! I can't afford a boat or sailing lessons though, and don't know how to swim or even want to spend the time learning how to first. I tied a bedsheet to a broom and duct taped it onto an old canoe someone was giving away on craiglist. I'm starting in San Francisco next week - who wants to go with me and show me how to do it?

Very Nice Andrew!

Nathaniel Holt wrote: Id just like to say, its the people like this that cause an individual to consider buying equipment and jumping on their own with no proper training. Because they put themselves out there in hopes of proper guidance and get this bullshit instead. So its apparent to me why some people grab shoots and go its because no body wants to help teach them. I bet this leads to more BASE jumping deaths due to the fact that some base jumpers teach themselves due to this fact. Think about that next time u read the news paper with a death in it maybe u could have prevented it by being helpful instead of a dick.

I can't tell if he's aspergers or full on autistic. Troll maybe?

Nathaniel,

You could also start here 82nd Airborne

If you're out near Moab you could probably hook up with Andy Lewis.
That would be more like the express lane approach.

Nathaniel Holt wrote:U cant its impossible.

Somebody got a little butt hurt, try not to come off as so entitled next time and I'm sure you'll get better responses.

Insanely thick skin and an ability to swallow the truth no matter how bad it hurts is MANDATORY and all part of the process. Walk up to camp 4 back in the day and say the same thing, but insert "bigwall climbing" instead of BASE. You'd be ripped to shreds and crying like a girl, just like you are now.

Sorry I missed you Nathaniel, I was a bit late getting there at 7:30.
If you want to talk just send me a message.
cheers,
Brendan

It has to be a troll.

Just by reading his initial post in which he deleted. While I do feel that most people have the physical skill to jump off an object, it's the mental aspect which most people lack. And for some reason people thing BASE jumpers are insane, which is interesting because I've meet NPS LEO's who BASE, lawyers, MD's, teachers, SWAT team members and people who work for the C.D.C. None of them are insane.....well... maybe one.

For him to state he does not know where to get properly trained shows 1st a lack of research and a simple form of logic. There are plenty of "institutions" to teach BASE if said requirements are met, and there is finding a mentor (grayghost ect...) BASE in all practical reasons is a very logical and dynamic sport. The method in which the rig is packed slider up/slider down stays the same from each jumpers personal preference. Variables which are outside one's control (wind, body position, line tension, tension knots, line overs, 180's ect..)keep the sport spicy.... very spicy at times.

Nathaniel feels the only way for him to learn is to go buy a WS, canopy and harness and just "go for it" Just because you watch BoobTube do you think you can Proxy Fly? First try?

Really... sounds like the same attitude of climbers (or wanna be) paying $65,000USD to climb Everest. Just because you have the $$ does not give one the safety of experience and good judgment which only comes from continual practice, adequate guidance, patience and a calm attitude in very stressful and not so practical situations. There is always a little voice that likes to speak up telling you that where your at and what you are doing is wrong, there is the other voice that knows once you step into the void that it's going to be blissful.

Over time you will get hurt, more than once if you continue to jump. You will watch your friends get hurt, know jumpers who have gotten severely hurt and in the end you will know and watch your friends die. Sounds pleasant doesn't it??

For your safety you should quit while your still alive and save your friends and most of all your family the heart ache of dealing with you adding your dumb ass to the list.

Seems logical enough but it's this kind of crappy attitude that everyone here except grayghost exudes that makes me feel the same way as this guy. It is next to impossible as your average joe american slave to take up BASE. I've built a rep on being a bit crazy and I would love to take this up but every time someone asks me if I would get into it I'm like F' no! Not that I don't want to, but it's out of my reach. I'll never be rich enough to take BASE up. It's hard enough trying to fund a wall climbing career and that comes as first priority these days. Too bad cause it sure is inspiring to watch and obviously wing suits seem euphoric.

Anyway, don't mind me I have no more satire, parody, or insults to add, just a fly on the wall, backing the lone man in the battle. BTW not sure if you noticed but people die climbing all the time too. Experts and amateurs alike. FWIW thanks for posting the insight from chris mc namera, that is good stuff.

I've always wondered how to get into BASE, haven't found much, I'm glad you posted this before I did so you took the heat.

I agree he's pretty forward but jesus give him a break, he just wants to know the feasibility of his dreams...

this info is sooooo easy to research online. so easy..you can have a massive amount of questions already answered for you and you will know what you are asking by simply investigating. BASE jumping is not "get some shoes and a chalkbag" and let's go scamperin'!!! there's MUCH more to it than that. Teaching someone to BASE jump is a massive undertaking that could lead to death.

basejumper.com/Articles/Get…

found from google in 30 seconds.
blincmagazine.com/forum/ori…

theres something to be said for hearing firsthand from people who are actual jumpers. I'm learning to ice climb currently and have been picking the brains of everyone I can for tips and techniques. It helps a lot more than online articles.

Keenan Waeschle wrote:theres something to be said for hearing firsthand from people who are actual jumpers. I'm learning to ice climb currently and have been picking the brains of everyone I can for tips and techniques. It helps a lot more than online articles.

here's the deal, listen good and don't take this the wrong way. BASE jumping in the US is 90% illegal!!! try to forget your friend with a blown femur, screaming thier lungs out in a boulderfield so far in the middle of nowhere your cell phone doesn't work and it's just you 2....you also got jailtime, loss of $1,000's of dollars in gear and get huge fines for a variety of offenses on top of the gnarly danger aspect. If this same scenario existed in ice climbing, bouldering or ANY other sport, NOBODY would be passing out free internet info. It's a hush hush and evasive/protective activity for a reason bro, no ice climbers would tell you or anyone else squat if it was the same situation.

JLP wrote: I'm sure the guy has emotions that make him feel in control - but no way - warm sunny day on the side of a mountain - the air currents, speeds and ability to correct - such a thin margin - crazy.

No, he is in complete control. You don't really have any understanding of what you are talking about.