Very few things that are true for skiing are true for base jumping.
- Base jumping is the world's most dangerous sport. It's one of a very few sports
where you put your life at risk every time you do it.
- In 2014 we lost 24 jumpers – that's a lot in a community of some 3500 active
jumpers. I personally lost two friends.
- Any time a jumper goes in, it's in the news. I can read in European newspapers
when an Australian jumper dies.
- All deaths are dramatic. Most deaths are horrible. Rescue workers get traumatized.
It's not a surprise that all accidents make it into media.
- If you're caught jumping in a national park, you face up to $2,000 in fines + you'll have
to pay the cost of any rescue operation + cops or NP rangers will confiscate your gear.
There's more, but I'll stop there…
So, base jumpers are questioned everywhere. Even in places where jumping is legal.
Consequently, one of the worst things a base jumper can do is something that will make jumps more difficult for other jumpers. On that list is getting arrested after the jump, getting caught trespassing, damage property or drawing attention to the illegal side of base.
So the guy jumping in Whistler isn't really the most popular guy among base jumpers.
So, comparing it to ducking the rope somewhere isn't really on point.
If you get your ski pass revoked for whatever reason, it won't really hurt the entire ski community
- and I doubt that you will end up in the news.
See the difference?
:: hkn ::
