He jumped from 40,000 feet without a parachute... - by David
scumble on 26/6/2007 at 15:10
I almost wish I had the cajones to jump out of a plane, but flying in one makes me nervous enough. I hope you have a great time Dave :)
Incidentally, I'm reminded of something I saw about some stunts in one of the James Bond films - some hardened stunt chap actually did jump out of a plane without a parachute and his partner caught up with him afterwards. That certainly takes some confidence...
David on 26/6/2007 at 15:21
Bungie Jumping was something that never really appealed to me, I guess mainly because I've only ever seen the crane variants, which seems pretty dull.
There's a bungie jump in Austria (I think) which takes place from a cable car over a mountain range which sounds fantastic as it as has a nice view instead of the pub carpark like all the ones over here.
The place I'm going offers an air-to-air video for an additional cost, which I'm probably going to take up.
I'm psyched and it's still more than two months away! :D
Rug Burn Junky on 26/6/2007 at 16:15
Quote Posted by David
Bungie Jumping was something that never really appealed to me, I guess mainly because I've only ever seen the crane variants, which seems pretty dull.
Considering that the first place I bungee jumped was at the long lost (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_Park) Action Park (RIP :() where [INDENT]
Quote:
Its popularity went hand in hand with a reputation for poorly-designed, unsafe rides; inattentive, underaged, underpaid and sometimes under-the-influence employees[1]; equally intoxicated and underprepared visitors — and the poor safety record that followed from this perfect storm of circumstances.
[/INDENT]I don't think that "dull" applies. ;)
Selkie on 28/6/2007 at 11:39
The more I read about that park, the better it gets....
Thief13x on 28/6/2007 at 12:04
Quote Posted by Shoshin
What really got the adrenaline going was this ride called the SkyCoaster in Kissimmee, FL. Basically, you're hoisted off the ground 300 feet, and the drop is about 100 feet straight down before the cable tightens up and you start swinging like a pendulum. That was the most adrenaline I've ever had in my system ever.
OMG I rode the sky coaster in Pittsburgh a few years back:wot: and don't think I could ever do it again. I also rappelled off of a 90ft sheer dropoff when I was 13 soley through peer pressure. I went back to those rocks a few weeks ago and realised I could never do that again either.
I have my pilots license and go flying once in a while, and can't help but wonder if I could ever get the guts to jump out of an airplane. The anwser is always a resounding NO:D or, err, maybe with enough peer pressure....help me out ttlg!!
Marecki on 28/6/2007 at 19:04
Skydiving is amazing, the feeling of space all around you is nothing like anything else one can experience without getting off-planet. Sure, it doesn't last that long (which is why I myself prefer paragliding - it doesn't reduce the freedom that much, especially if you know how to fly, and you can enjoy it for much longer); sure, you'll have to open the parachute eventually; sure, you may get bumped up during landing. But even so, the free-fall phase is simply breathtaking.
Definitely not recommended for even mild agoraphobics, though.
demagogue on 28/6/2007 at 19:49
I've done para-sailing, sort of a cross between parachuting and hang-gliding. There are guide wires on the parachute so you can fly around on the warm updraft of a cliff wall for about an hour.
I was buckled to the front of the guy with the parachute, which was already laid out behind us (a French guy with so-so English). What you do is, we stand near the edge of the cliff wall. He waits for a good draft, says "jog forward", we jog a little, he catches it in the draft, then he says "stop" and we stop and the parachute drifts forward, and then "run!" and we run off a cliff! Thing is: didn't quite work that way. We jogged forward, he says "stop!", then "run!", and as we start running, he says "no! no!" And I start turning around, half-panicking, "what do you mean ... no no?!" but the cliff wall was coming up really fast, and instead of answering me, he just shoved me off! :D And I sort of tripped up and the next thing I know the ground just sort of slipped away from my feet, and we were airborne!
For the first 5-10 seconds I was breathless, not entirely sure whether we were flying or not, and then an updraft caught us and up we flew, and it suddenly hits you that the only thing supporting you are those ropes. I wouldn't trade the memory of that rush for anything.
I want to full-on parachute someday, too. Sounds like an awesome experience you'll have. Be sure to write down your experience as soon as you can while it's still fresh. And spare no details for us.
Duncan on 28/6/2007 at 22:22
I've logged eight jumps as part of a course during my early 20's. It is quite fun indeed. For me, the best moments are climbing out of the plane itself and hanging from the strut before letting go (if you're lucky enough to do it that way), and the other would be the total silence just after your chute opens (after the deafening sound of the wind has stopped). Watching your mate turn with the wind for landing, the look of horror on his face when he realizes what he's just done, and the unavoidable crash landing that follows, is also high on the list of enjoyable moments.
Phydeaux on 1/7/2007 at 15:51
I've jumped once. It's quite amazing. I didn't feel any fear at all, but I can certainly understand why some people might be when at the door. Once you're past that though, it's pure exhilaration. You're up so high that the ground doesn't "rush up" at you. It simply feels like you're flying, not falling. Fair warning though, it's rather hard to breathe. Falling at 125mph, the air gets sucked right out of your lungs. When the chute opens, it's all peaceful and serene.
It's definitely worth doing once. It'll probably be a tandem ride (easiest way without doing a full course thing and spending a lot of money) for at least the first time. Feels a bit weird having some other guy strapped to your back, but once you're in the air, you forget about all that. You can decide after the first time whether you want to continue and make a hobby out of it, or just do it once or twice.
