An Introduction to BASE Jumping

In this post I’d like to inform you about the incredible sport of BASE jumping. BASE is an acronym that stands for Buildings, Antennas, Spans and Earth. In BASE jumping, participants jump from a fixed object and use a parachute to safely descend to the ground. Jumping from a fixed object is the main difference between skydiving and BASE jumping. Another big difference is that BASE jumping can be done and is usually done at much lower altitudes.

Statistically, BASE jumping is one of the most dangerous recreational sports that has ever existed. Along with having much less room for error, one of the main things that makes BASE jumping significantly more dangerous than skydiving is the fact that BASE jumpers only have a single parachute. (Skydivers jump with 2; One main and one reserve) Although jumping with no backup chute is certainly more dangerous, BASE jumpers use a special canopy that is specifically designed for the sport. They are designed to open much more quickly and efficiently than a traditional skydiving canopy. BASE jumping has exponentially grown in popularity over the past couple of decades or so. Every year newer, better and safer equipment is constantly being created. It is a sport that takes a lot of dedication, but it is very rewarding in the end. Many participants end up traveling the world in pursuit of it. A lot of the places it can take you are beautiful, particularly the mountains. One interesting aspect to me is that it incorporates the activity of mountain climbing in with it. The idea of climbing to the top of a mountain to jump off with a parachute sounds pretty exhilarating, doesn’t it? Check out this video taken in Norway, it is so crazy that it almost doesn’t even look real! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbq4llUqFVM

The most amazing area of the sport is something called wingsuit proximity flying. Wingsuit “pilots” jump wearing full-body aerodynamic suits designed with chambers that fill with air and create lift. (Picture a flying squirrel, the suit looks similar to one.) “Proximity flying” is the practice of flying the wingsuit close to the faces and ridges of the mountain. By flying near terrain, wingsuit pilots feel a greater sense of speed due to having a close visual reference. At full speed, a wingsuit pilot is traveling about 60 mph vertically and 120 mph horizontally. One of the most amazing things about a wingsuit is that it allows humans to do something that we have been dreaming of for thousands of years, flying. It may not be flying in the traditional sense, (like a bird) but it sure is close! It definitely looks like these guys are flying. Check out this incredible video of some professional wingsuit pilots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GASFa7rkLtM I personally think it would be amazing to experience this one day. It may look a little crazy, and it definitely is, but I’m at least open to the idea. I’m not sure if I’ll ever actually participate in the sport, but I have had a fascination with these videos for many years.