bad luck or lack of expirience?

[guest]

It was five minutes to midnight, 31st of December 1999. We were on the top of a 520 feet building waiting for the fireworks to start before we jump. All of a sudden the wind changed and started to blow into our faces, it came from the front and side
(2 O’clock if our jump direction was 12 O’clock).
It was a bit strong, maybe 7 to 9 knots.
The landing area was small, there were few other objects around us and it was the first time on the object, we decided to descend.
both of us have about 40 jumps, mainly low freefalls, all objects included.
Was it a lack of experience or bad luck?

[guest]

Many of us "old timers" are more proud of our Chicken BASE (back off each object at least once) than we are of our real base numbers.

Just as in aviation, where they say the hardest maneuver is the 180-degree turn, perhaps the hardest thing in BASE jumping is to go back down with your rig still packed.

BUt you did it and you oughta be proud that you did so, especially on a jump where there were no doubt plenty of "dare you demons" shouting at you to go for it.

[imported_mknutson]

This is what we need more of! Rational!

I have walked down off all four objects at least twice now!

[guest]

Good Move Fellows;

Walking back down is easy! (And cheaper, and less painful, and shows you do have a life wish)!

I've walked away from all the categories too. On the Great American Building in San Diego I climbed down three times, and everything each time was jake, no wind, no traffic, no worries at all, but it just didn't feel right.

Always listen to your inner self. After a while you can tell the difference between the normal pre-BASE jump willies and the real thing.

Nick
Chicken BASE

[guest]

I too climbed down an object on December 31 at 12:00 because of high winds and bad direction.
I guess the good thing is that the so called 'experts' say that the real Y2K happens on Dec 31 2000. So we have a year before we try again

[guest]

You guys are smart enough to know when to yield to mother nature. Good Job!

Earl

[Mike]

Now don't get me wrong here...I think backing off a jump is always a good idea, but this may be a good time to discuss winds on building jumps.

On an antenna, you always want a little tail-wind to keep you away from the thing in case of a 180. You're usually going to be landing in a wide open area, and there won't be much (if any) turbulence coming off the tower, right? BUT it's different downtown. I used to think a light tail wind was ideal for a B. But, maybe not.

Tell me if this makes sense: Any amount of wind is going to cause all kinds of weird air-flow patterns in a downtown setting. Wind DIRECTION becomes arbitrary when you've got rotors and downdrafts all over the place. If a light wind is hitting a face of a rectangular building, it has to go around it. BUT, it then comes around and hits the opposite side of the building, like a burble. That's some bad air to be jumping into. I'd rather jump into the (light) headwind and just take a decent delay, so I don't have to fly through all the turbulence. At opening altitude the wind should be dead, especially if there are surrounding buildings. Besides, you're never going to have a 'real' tailwind on a B. There is nothing to push the air away from a building face, air can only move inward or along the side. Like I said, a tailwind on top will be a headwind because of the 'burble' effect. The only ideal situation is no wind at all. A light crosswind should not cause turbulence either, if the building is shear.

I have some experience with buildings both into and with the wind. I honestly have to say, the canopy ride was a lot less bumpy jumping into a light headwind or crosswind.

BUT, it all depends...on everything. Winds are funny on buildings, and there's no standard way to approach any given building. You have to consider altitude, surrounding objects, proximity, etc. It can get real complicated, so use your brain and trust your gut.