ImagethisPhoto

After being laughed at by so many insurance agents, I figured it was impossible... I'd appreciate info on companies that provide coverage! Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

Ditto! I dont understand why USHGA hasnt bitched about this. Maybe they have, but I havent heard a word... I dont recall the organizations name recently started for BASE, but maybe they should team up with USHGA?? Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

"Some people also say that Psychopacking helps, but I am not sure about this." -Quote I have never heard the term psychopacking. If I had to guess, sounds like a trash pack. Can you fill me in on that??? Any packing tips, other than rolling the leading edge/nose? FYI- I also have experience packing for 'BASE'. Maybe I'll chat with Aiello about adopting some deployment methods for Skydiving. However considering my physical condition, it makes packing a REAL chore. Packing stresses my body enough that sometimes I'm unable to jump after packing. I prefer to pay a packer while I supervise (they hate that). This way I can get 2-3 jumps in a day. Dacron lines are a must for me... I hadnt considered the differnces in Grommets, thanks for the tip! Anyone else have input on that? What have I forgotten? Any tips regarding Containers/Harnesses? Is there one that will distribute the shock better? Obviously fit will determine a lot. Thanks everyone for your support, I need it! Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

A very dear friend (not a jumper) was vacationing in Phuket, Thailand when the tsunami hit. She was planning to Scuba Dive that day, but the divemaster cancelled because he knew about the quakes. So instead her and friends decided to take a Ferry to Phi-Phi Island. The tsunami hit while they were out at sea. They had no idea a tidal wave was under them. What they did notice, is the boat lay motionless in the water. The currents held the Ferry in place... When they arrived at Phi-Phi, they saw total destruction. The Ferry quickly became a rescue boat. The conversation didnt go much farther than that, for a reason. I can imagine she will need some time to talk about what she witnessed. I can bet that she was strong and did all she could to help, thats her... She is also very sensitive, and I cant imagine how this will affect her. Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

I'm looking for advice on buying a new Canopy... I have had multiple injuries,, you play, you pay! The worst injury consisted of 12 broken bones, along with a lot of nerve and tissue damage. Every Lumbar Vertebrae was broke, my Secrum and 5 ribs. Chronic pain has become a way of life... Most recently I managed to destroy my knee. This is minor in comparrison to my back, yet it is dissabling. So to continue Skydiving, I will need to invest in the best canopy possible. By Best, I mean I need a canopy that has consistant super soft openings, and an awesome flare for easy landing. Last I knew, the PD Spectre was the best option. Have things changed much in the past 1-2 years? Does the canopy size, or wing loading matter? Doesnt a heavier wing loaded canopy open faster? FYI- I'm not a swooper, so I do not need a racey canopy. I would consider myself a conservative canopy pilot. Considering my condition, I have considered retiring from both Skydiving and BASE jumping. I just cant give it up! This is my heroin! LOL... Cya, Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

I was in denial when I watched the video from the HC-40. When my wife mentioned the quality looked low, I knew it was obvious! The average person shouldnt notice a difference, but my wife caught it. My first jump was filmed with an 8mm, and ofcourse I'm stoked to have it. Who isnt happy with a video of a first jump! I'm looking for pro quality video, or as close to broadcast quality possible. The HC series regardless of Model wont to the job. HC- All models have the same resolution and Steady Shot function. Read the fine print: Sony has a variety of Zeiss Lenses and Steady Shots. Just because its a Zeiss doesnt mean its the best Ziess available. Is it Steady Shot or Super Steady Shot?? Yes, I have used a variety of lenses (.5 .42 .38). Ray / DJ, just looking for caption info. Thanks Tom. The extra shake notice was in comparisson to the PC-7. Both are very light and small, so I believe its a mechanical difference. I assumed since the PC-7 was a much older camera, that the HC series would atleast compare. Bullet Camera- I dont use them mostly because you are stuck with one size lens. There is no option for super wide fish eye lenses on Bullet Cameras that I know of. When they do, I will get one! The HC is a great throw away camera, as mentioned. JM www.imagethisphoto.com

FYI- I recently bought a Sony HC series Camcorder, and I'm not happy with the image quality. What can I expect for that price! * The lens is too small and doesnt gather much light, so the image exposure isnt as good. * I dont think the Stabilizer works as well either. I really have to concentrate on limiting movement while using the HC. So the Sony HC has become a playback deck only... If you want the highest quality images, keep looking. Can anyone ID the jumper in the attached photo? Cya, Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

My condolences to family and friends! Jason was a VERY talented jumper! He did what many cant! Attached are a couple photos of Jason in action. I will have more posted along with a tribute page on my web site soon... Cya, Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

Hey Russel, Have you tried a DHV2 or higher rating. I had a 2 and it was very responsive and faster. Next step is to fly a higher wing loading just like skydiving. You might be impressed with it! I attached a photo of the owner from Gradient flying a prototype Comp wing. He was scream'n under that thing! Jason, I have been told by a few Paraglider pilots that paragliding was also not allowed in NPs. Let me know if I'm wrong and I'll be at Yo.... ASAP! I dont get how they can allow Hang Gliders, but not Paragliders. What happens if a HG pilot has to deploy his reserve parachute? Do they arrest them after landing? One pilot/jumper said its to close to BASE so its not allowed... Any input?? Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

As a paraglider pilot I have learned ALOT about weather to fly. I was also thinking it could be wind shear on the skydive. I'm surprised we havent heard about more of this happening to others. Was there any signs of a storm front coming,, or going? WS Base jumping a big walls with tail wind has always made me wonder about rotor. Rotor could easily flip a person over with a WS. A strong thermal could also do this. If one side of your body hits a thermal it can flip you over. Check out the recent paragliding article that was posted on the home page of DZ.com Tip: imagine wind is water flowing like a river. In a river the rocks cause a big pour over creating a rapid like a wave. These winds that swirl back are the ones that kill. Also keep in mind that Canyons can act like venturies, making winds much stronger than predicted. Moral of the story, high winds, are good days to be grounded... Hope this helps! Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

I hate hearing about this kind of BS. Not knowing your rights (or the law) is similar to not having any! I highly recommend getting a lawyer, but it may be too late. Did you confess your intent to Jump when busted? If you didnt deploy a parachute than there was no aerial delivery. Say your in a Cessna flying with an emergeny rig on over a restricted area (no jumping allowed) would they bust you for jumping when you landed the plane,,,no. So all they have is the trespass violation! Keep in mind the NPS gang is alot like your local mall security. They love the authority and dont hesitate to use it. F*cking cowards, all of them! I cant say it will work/help, but you may want to pitch that one to the media. Any one have any thoughts on that? Anywho, sorry to hear your the one they nailed! All the best of Luck!! JM www.imagethisphoto.com

Here is a sequence of photos from Russels first jump on Friday. What a Stud!! Josh Morell www.imagethisp1hoto.com

QuoteGot any pics of me black helmet w/ go fast hawkeye mirage stickers and a top mount camera nice steel camera case....my rig has a skull and crossbones on a black and purple rig or bio hazard in red on an all black rig thanks Sky Looks like I have a total of 8 photos all in sequence from exit to canopy deployment. I'll attach some samples. Hope you like 'em!!!! Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

Totes. I was doing mainly solo belly-to-earth jumps and I'm awesome... at everything... always. OK, maybe not. Anywho... I was the guy with the no helmet and a lip ring. I usually wore jeans or shorts and one time a red Nintendo jacket. If you got any pictures of me, I'LL KICK YOUR ASS! I mean, er... duck? I'm still afraid of bears. Well I guess my ass is OK, I dont have any pix of U. I did see you and the Portland crew arrive late Saturday, right when I called it quits. Sorry about that,,,if you wanted pix.... I'm in Medford and travel to P'land often. Let me know if I can photo some jumps at your local sites. Please forward this to Ray L.... Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com Josh Morell

In general I have several pix of the Aussie crew. I do believe there was two different groups (both from OZ) of them, that didnt know eachother... The main group was Jason, Liv, Rusty and Dallas (I think) If Rusty is the Aussie with the colorful Tats on the right arm,,I have a bunch of photos of him. Those guys jumped more than any other group there. At times I would double take because I just watched them jump, and they were right back at exit within minutes! I did leave my card with most all of them. Check Out my website for pix of Jason and Liv. I hope these attached pix are them!!! Josh Morell www.imagethsiphoto.com

Sup Canuckle, Sorry I missed your jump/s! PM me and maybe I can get you in action at your local site/s. I'm sorry to have missed U!!!! Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com TOO ALL- As luck would have it, my modem/computer is acting up so my replies may be slowed a touch....

My advice, Get a Paraglider Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

Yes the video turned out great! I will be getting a copy of the video from Russel,, Thanks for the offer!! Can you send your info and your jump'n buddies, for credit. BTW- I do have pix of the 5 way. the lighting (bridge shadow) was bad, but the pix turned out,, somewhat. Late, Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com imagethisphoto@lycos.com

Adam, Check these 2 pix out. Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com imagethisphoto@lycos.com

Is this Adam, "That was Dumb" that was sporting the Belly Cam? If so, I do have a few Pix of you. I will get them converted for e-mail and post them asap. Thanks for the wild show! Cant wait to see the video again! Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com imagethisphoto@lycos.com

Yes I do. The Colours logo isnt very big,,but its there. I also have several photos of Russel Packing his canopy. I'll be sending Russel a CD (full res.) of his pix. Should I send one to you also? For those of you wondering what we are chatting about: Tom's Wife brought up the idea of getting a sponsor/s for Russel. One Company was Colours, a wheelchair MFG. Anyone have any leads or suggestions fire away... Tom, will you and your wife adopt me,,,,LOL! You guys are great! B Chat'n Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com imagethisphoto@lycos.com

I'll start looking... Can you give me any more details, like rig color, brands/logos. Also if you know the day and approx time you jumped... B N touch, Josh Morell imagethisphoto@lycos.com www.imagethisphoto.com

Thanks for the props on pix, glad you like 'em. Congrats to the first timer!! I have too many pictures to send them all,,unless your rich$$ then we can work something out... I'd be happy to search for the desired photos and e-mail them 2 U. Send me a description of the Rig Colors, Brands/Logos, Helmet, ect... Also check out my web site, I'll be posting new pictures daily. www.imagethisphoto.com Cya, Josh Morell imagethisphoto@lycos.com

Greetings, This weekend was a wild one in TF. Many jumpers from all over showed up, and pulled off alot of jumps! The Australian crew jumped non-stop,,,very impressive jumps too! Liv pulled off what could have been a very bad landing under line twists. She rode it all the way to the rocks and was injury free,, AWESOME! Russel made 4 jumps. He made his first delays,, a Hand-held and then a stowed jump. Nice JOB Russel,,wish I hadnt missed that!!! Anywho, I'll post some of my favorite pix. In all I shot over 700 photos, so if you were there,,odds are I have your picture... I will have many more posted on my web site ASAP. Hope you like the pix!!!!! Later Josh Morell www.imagethisphoto.com

I would recommend a BASE rig. A Tandem Paraglide jump is also risky for the Tandem Pilot. After you exit the pilot is under a very low wing loading on a wing thats made to take you up, not down like a parachute. Most Tandem pilots wont allow this stunt when the lift is present, or strong. The Tandem pilot risks getting stuck in the air or getting cloud suck! Basicaly you want a rig that is versatile for low openings (4 sled rides) or high altitude/ long delay slider up jumps. You never know, some tandem pilots (Yaro) are crazy enough to fly in lifty condition! Recently a Buddy was unable to jump because he had a Skydive rig and no BASE rig. The lift was very minimal that weekend so he couldnt get the altitude to make a jump. With a base rig you could make several jumps in a day! www.imagethisphoto.com Josh Morell