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PM sent... Bryan

I've been on quite a few Antenna Wingsuit loads (although I'm not a BASE wingsuit pilot). Most tall antennas have quite a bit of room to move around and there is usually a decent amount of room to climb outside of the tower. However, your thinking is correct, it can be interesting at times and it certainly helps to have other jumpers assist you. It's not uncommon to have 30 to 40mph winds on tall antennas and this sometimes results in wingsuit pilots going severely head low if they let their leg wing catch wind right after the exit. I'll never forget watching Canuck M.R. go super head low on his first wingsuit antenna exit in 40mph winds. Of course, being the pro that he is, he just relaxed and flew the horizontal wind that was coming from behind until he had enough airspeed to transistion out. The grin on his face lasted for hours...

Hi Gardner -- I'm sorry it has taken so long to reply to you. I've been out of pocket for a couple of weeks and am just now catching up. I've sent you a PM with more info... Looking forward to seeing you! Bryan

Marty always goes out of his way to help people out. And personally, I find his craftmanship to be the best in the world -- period. Since starting Asylum Designs he's made several refinements to the Perigee series of containers and they are looking better than ever. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next... Bryan

Yep -- that was the jump Dwain did off of Tombie. For any of you who aren't familar with that cliff, it's a 380ft cliff that's 7ft overhung. It was an amazing jump... Bryan

Hey Spiderbaby -- So looking forward to many laughs and many jumps with you. I luv your work! C-ya soon, Bryan

Team Ill Vision will be there... It's going to be a sweet event! Bryan

Hi Tom -- I'll be in Canon City already, but depending on what time you come in, I might be able to send someone from C-Springs up to the Denver airport to pick you up and bring you down to Canon City. PM me your itinerary and I'll see what I can do. The real question is why are you not flying in Thur evening so you can partake in the fun on Fri? (just ribbing you) I'm going to disappear for the next 7 days with no phone or internet access, but will get in touch with you when I return. C-ya, Bryan

Hi MH -- If you make it, I'm looking forward to finally jumping with you. I say that we must do a 2-way together...it's only fitting. Bryan

I luv your work Nick. Very good thoughts mate, very good... Bryan

Yuri -- Congratulations! 1,000 is an awesome accomplishment... Thanks for a decade of inspiration and laughs. Now, let's cross paths so we can make a jump together! Bryan

Just use one of D.J.'s squares. He loves to take them into the water, especially on camera jumps. Bryan

Hi Canuck -- Gosh, you should have stuck around. I came out on Sunday and there was 3 of us jumping with the boat until around 2pm (that's when the rain finally moved in for good). I've done about 20 true solos where nobody is around, and I've probably made somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 jumps where I'm by myself but there are whuffos around. (potato bridge, frozen-pizza cliff, etc.) It's worked fine for me, but I would certainly never recommend it for anyone -- it's such a personal decision. To me, it sounds like you made a good decision because you followed your instinct. That little voice in our heads tells us a lot... Cheers, Bryan

Excellent! Looking forward to jumping with you soon. (I moved to Idaho while you were gone) Travel Safe, Bryan

Sweet! I am headed straight to Twin Falls tomorrow morning to visit the GAP-e-lama (Mr. Manship) and take the first GAPICC (GAP Instructor Certification Course) in hopes of becoming the first GAP-I. By doing so, I can help serve the needs of wanna-be GAP packers in Mountain Home, Idaho. I've been training hard and with any due luck, I may pass the Certification Course tomorrow. The GAP-e-lama himself even offered me a pre-course for the economical fee of $50. All I have to do is pack all 3 of his rigs after he jumps tomorrow morning and they only count as practice-evals. And heck, if I'm not ready for the course, he'll even let me pack his rigs on Sunday morning for free! The Gap-e-lama has tested this pack job personally on hundreds of jumps and it works great. And the true testament is that he's packed/jumped over 400 times in the last year and his lower back is still in tact. Yuri, I know how little you like to pack. So if you come out here and endorse this patented pack-job, we'll license you for free! (GAP-sponsored jumper) A full review to come early next week after the course... Bryan

Dams are similar to cliffs as far as wind is concerned except that usually you are in a "channelled valley" or a "canyon" of sorts. Any wind at all from the front side will usually result in an updraft. Wind from the back-side can be dangerous too as it rolls over the top of the object and causes turbulence on the side you are jumping from. In my opinion, it is best to jump dams in no wind conditions. I have jumped dams with a slight wind coming over the back-side, but only if I plan on going deep, and there is no evidence of wind at opening altitude. You mentioned that your friend jumped when the winds were good. Unfortunately, things change from time to time -- I guess the best thing we can do is make an educated decision based on the conditions over a given time. I always try to have some kind of wind indicator so I can see what the winds are doing at my opening altitude. Toilet paper if the winds are very light, toilet paper with a tiny rock in it if the winds are a little stronger, spit, etc. Either way, I usually look for no wind conditions. Hope this helps, Bryan (my experience is only based on 11 jumps from 3 different dams)

Two weeks ago brought some of the best Tri-tip, masked potatoes, Idaho corn, and Key Lime pie one could imagine. One week ago brought gourmet chicken and avocado tacos, more incredible Idaho corn, black beans and rice, and brownies and vanilla ice cream. Oh yea, to boot there was hot carmel for the brownies and ice cream. Did I mention a gathering of BASE jumpers from around the country? And all the beer and margaritas one can handle? A BIG thanks to Tom and Sharee for going above and beyond in opening up their home for wayward hungry jumpers. Tom, I've shared many an adventure with you. You're a true friend that goes out of their way time and time again to help people. Thank you my friend, thank you. C-ya this weekend, Bryan P.S. -- let's do some more research on your McSaucey 3-way. We need to refine the move for its October premier.

It looks like a great helmet. Your best bet is to try everything on. I've found big differences between models...so it basically comes down to comfort and protection vs. weight. Of course, you already know this as we were just talking about it earlier tonight. Just wanted to post my thoughts for others to read. C-ya in a week or two! Bryan

Absolutely. That's why we have DJ. Bryan

Thank you! Also, PM sent. Bryan

Why that would be T.M. -- the troll that lives under the potato bridge. One has to rise and shine awfully early to find him. Rumor has it that other trolls are emerging from the woodworks and are beginning to join him in force. Bryan

Hello -- Do you know if they are just doing general road maintenance on the road or is it something else? Just trying to get a general idea as to when it will re-open. I may be in Southern Europe from August 29th until September 14th and the Magland area is definitely on my list of places to stay. (I'm familar with most of the jumps there -- just wondering about the road) Thanks! Bryan

Sweet! It's going to be a GREAT Bridge Day. (they always are) Bryan

Rick and Joy -- Wow, what an honor! I'm really looking forward to meeting both of you as well as Jean. I love BASE history and it will be an honor to meet some of the folks that are such a large part of our sport. Bridge Day is a wonderful celebration of BASE -- now it's going to be better than ever... Bryan

I absolutely love my Hanwag Boots. While checking them out 4 years ago, Jimmy P. said it best: "They're like a helmet for your ankles." I plunked down some cash and bought a pair. They saved my ankles on several different occasions and lasted for several hundred BASE jumps plus numerous non-BASE outings. I loved them so much that I bought another pair when the first ones wore out. (they really do last a long time) As luck/stupidity would have it, I chose not to wear them for a few jumps at the Potato Bridge last weekend. A low opening had me making a light downwind landing when some weeds decided to hold onto my ankle as the rest of me kept on going forward. It wasn't anything too severe, but it sure stinks hobbling around for a week or two. I'm sure my Hanwags (which were sitting in the car) would have likely saved me. I think they are the best boots you can buy for BASE jumping and if you are going to buy a set, why not support our BASE community and buy them directly from Vertigo. Besides giving you a great price, the folks at Vertigo are super-cool and take good care of everyone in the BASE community in more ways than one. Vertigo BASE Outfitters C-ya, Bryan