Tomcat933 0 #1 September 23, 2009 I'm a sophomore in college, and since i've decided to pledge a fraternity this semester I won't be able to jump regularly again until November (just kill me). My dropzone is in SC, and apparently they jump all winter as long as enough people come out and the weather is decent. I was just wondering, do most of you jump regularly during the winter? Obviously dropzones in Florida and AZ do, but on a forty degree day, do the temps at altitude take the fun out of jumping? I've skied in 5 below zero, but i would imagine that 10 or 20 above at 120 mph would be fucking COLD. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SansSuit 1 #2 September 23, 2009 I jump all winter long, in Wisconsin. I haven't missed a calendar month in over 12 years. The whole key is that you aren't in the element for that long. You'll hear all about proper clothing, glove, etc. That is all important, but it is all about managing the cold for a short period of time. Also it is where your head is at. Mind over matter type of thing.Peace, -Dawson. http://www.SansSuit.com The Society for the Advancement of Naked Skydiving Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 803 #3 September 23, 2009 What is this "winter" thing?I live in central Florida so I jump both weeks of winter. As a kid, always tried to make a point of water skiing on christmas day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amstalder 0 #4 September 23, 2009 I started in the winter time in Delaware. It sucks, but like he said mind over matter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #5 September 23, 2009 Quotebut on a forty degree day, do the temps at altitude take the fun out of jumping? 40? I don't like to jump when it's below 60!She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #6 September 23, 2009 I never look forward to winter jumping, but it is fun! I used to think 40 was too cold. Then 30. Now I pretty much just jump and don't worry too much about the temperature. Plenty of jumping in the 20s last winter. But SC? Come on, they barely even have winter. Come visit CT when the snow falls! More pics: http://www.skydivingstills.com/keyword/snow. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMURRAY 1 #7 September 23, 2009 we jump all year. the dzo does not like to run the 206 below about -15C or 5F. my personal limit is -12C or 10F hands and face are the problem areas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydance1954 0 #8 September 23, 2009 Been there, done that. Coldest I jumped in, was -20F on the ground. Freefall and spotting the plane was damn cold. They are right, it's a mind over matter thing, and dressing properly. But frankly, I'm done. Give me warm days. I won't fight the cold anymore.Mike Ashley D-18460 Canadian A-666 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kawisixer01 0 #9 September 23, 2009 I jump in the winter in WI. The most important part is keeping the wind off of ANY skin. Full neck and face coverage, good gloves (I prefer the foam neoprene type), etc. You are in the wind for a short enough period of time that you really don't need alot of insulation, just wind protection. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SansSuit 1 #10 September 23, 2009 Quote I jump in the winter in WI. The most important part is keeping the wind off of ANY skin. Full neck and face coverage, good gloves (I prefer the foam neoprene type), etc. You are in the wind for a short enough period of time that you really don't need alot of insulation, just wind protection. That is unless you don't wear a jumpsuit at all. If you jump nekkid, you spread the cold over a lot of surface area and then it doesn't feel as bad. Peace, -Dawson. http://www.SansSuit.com The Society for the Advancement of Naked Skydiving Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutumbo 0 #11 September 23, 2009 QuoteI never look forward to winter jumping, but it is fun! I used to think 40 was too cold. Then 30. Now I pretty much just jump and don't worry too much about the temperature. Plenty of jumping in the 20s last winter. But SC? Come on, they barely even have winter. Come visit CT when the snow falls! More pics: http://www.skydivingstills.com/keyword/snow. Dave Hell, for sights like those id head up north JUST to jump.Thanatos340(on landing rounds)-- Landing procedure: Hand all the way up, Feet and Knees Together and PLF soon as you get bitch slapped by a planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat933 0 #12 September 23, 2009 Dave, those pics are SICK! I might have to come up there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AHoyThere 0 #13 September 23, 2009 Those are some GREAT pics. For a number of years we would jump year around here in Iowa. For some reason 25 degrees and warmer would be fine but below that and it seemed to be too cold. Now we're older and smarter and really don't jump in the winter like we used to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #14 September 23, 2009 damn, this is switzerland and i jump all year long; up to the point where ice builds up on googles and arms while wingsuiting! “Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lekstrom10k 0 #15 September 23, 2009 The -20F was my low limit too. We jumped into a winter carnival for free tickets for the night festivities. The boss handed us a beer oops that grew to a few pitchers . No more jumps and banquet tickets cancelled.I upset alot of people with my Tevas landings in the snow and on ice.I went 35 years of consecutive jump in every month.Having a hangared plane withplowed taxi and runways helps. One hint on fresh snow is to have people stand in the landing area fot depth perception problems {White-Out}to land close to.I had a guy follow me in on landing and was glad I broke my ankle and gave him a landing height to look at while I was mosning and groaning. I also use "Ice -Fishing " gloves from sporting goods stores about $8.00 in sizes too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadNinja 0 #16 September 23, 2009 Quote More pics: http://www.skydivingstills.com/keyword/snow. Dave Those just make me want to stay home by the fire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bravoniner 0 #17 October 5, 2009 -20 seems like a common number ... that was my coldest jump, too. (My car wouldn't start, so we ended up hitch hiking to the DZ with our rigs on our backs.) I saw -28 on the jump plane's OAT at one point on the way up; not sure what it was when we finally got out, but it WAS bloody cold! One nice thing is the air is so dense that you float like a feather under canopy (even an old round!). I also remember one especially vivid visual image from a canopy (PC) ride through a snow squall: the snow flakes were all stationary in space -- our relative descent rates were the same. Bravoniner Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ketia0 0 #18 October 5, 2009 I cant wait for my first nekkid jump!!!! And Nekkid jump in the winter!! "In this game you can't predict the future. You just have to play the odds. "-JohnMitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #19 October 6, 2009 Ooo, look. Me. New Year's Day. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dean358 0 #21 October 6, 2009 I’ve jumped every winter at The Ranch since I started and I really love it, but I think it requires the right attitude. If you approach it – or any other winter sport – thinking about “how much you hate the cold” you’re not going to enjoy being there. Instead I believe you really have to embrace the cold weather and all the great things that go with it. To that end, here are some specific suggestions: 1. If you have access to an outdoor hot tub use it first thing in the AM. For some reason 20 minutes in 100 degree F water in crisp morning air helps you acclimate to cold temperatures all day. 2. Beyond merely not having exposed skin, invest in a set of high tech thermal underwear. The engineering of these products is remarkable. I like the La Montana series from these folks: www.hotchillys.com/cm/Home.html 3. Do you drive a convertible? If so, go to the DZ with the top down, heater on and the tunes cranked. Acclimate and enjoy. 4. Appreciate the winter vibe at the DZ. Instead of a hanger full of manic adrenaline junkies all getting their fix – not that there isn’t a certain charm to that – on a winter day there’s often only 10 people in the hanger. The feel is more intimate and low key, with everyone really appreciating each jump. 5. Appreciate the winter air. The air is denser in the winter, which means your body and your canopy will fly better. On cold, low humidity days the visibility can be incredible. As an added bonus, trees that have lost their leaves present less surface area to disturb the winds. 6. Appreciate winter light. Really beautiful, particularly when you’re facing north. 7. Appreciate the snow. Landing in snow, especially powder, is great! (Look at the pics PilotDave posted!) You can slide and it doesn’t get your jump suit dirty. Before load one I like to trample a pattern in the snow, e.g., a 40-foot diameter peace sign. Great to look at from altitude. 8. When you’re done for the day add some Bourbon to your safety meeting. Viola! Cheers, Deanwww.wci.nyc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdrejhon 8 #22 October 7, 2009 I have a few winter jumps, including some hop-and-pops in -25C weather. I've got a few freefalls from 7000 feet in -2C weather (~30F), which naturally meant it was at below -20C at altitude. It's not bad, as long as you layer clothing very well, and keep your extremities heated -- especially hands. I use latex gloves under my regular leather freefall gloves, and very rarely ski gloves. I'm one of those who almost never wears gloves or neckwarmers during big way jumps, even from 16000 feet, when everyone else is chilly. However, during Texas winter big way camps, it becomes cold enough from 18000 feet for me to don a single layer of gloves. Slide landings on hard snow are also fun too. Just watch your distance perception if the snow is featureless. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatmiser 0 #23 October 7, 2009 Holy hell! Do you jump clothed like your avatar in February in Wisconsin? What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #24 October 7, 2009 Quote 8. When you’re done for the day add some Bourbon to your safety meeting. Viola! Hot chocolate is always a good choice ... as long as it's fortified with Bailey's or peppermint schnapps. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #25 October 7, 2009 Quote Holy hell! Do you jump clothed like your avatar in February in Wisconsin? He does yeah - you wouldn't catch me doing it!!~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
