B A S E Jumping: Worlds best drops

If adrenaline is your addiction, BASE jumping is certain to get you high (if it does not kill you first, but that is another section!). B A S E Jumping, the daredevil activity designed for the insane, is the most extreme variety of skydiving designed for those seeking the ultimate in adventure and thrill. B A S E stands for the four types of structures that jumpers jump from, Building, Antennae, Span and Earth. The B A S E points include buildings, television and mobile network towers and other antennae, bridges, cliffs mountain peaks and any other locations that may catch the BASE jumpers fancy. If you take a jump and survive, it is seen as successful.

B A S E Jumping

What makes B A S E jumping different from normal and relatively safer sky diving?

Unlike sky divers, B A S E jumpers have two obstacles, low altitude is one and the other is extreme closeness to the B A S E you are jumping from. Sky divers generally deploy their parachutes at around 2000 feet. This gives them time and breathing space to deploy the chutes gradually. Also, if the main chute is malfunctioning, there is still time to use the backup chute.

But B A S E jumping is a wholly different story, many B A S E jumps start out at a height a lot less than 2 000 feet. Skyscrapers and antennae are rarely taller than 1 500 feet. Due to this the jumpers have to deploy the parachutes rapidly. The margin for error is so low as to be negligible. There is also very little chance to use the back up chute if the first one malfunctions. Many B A S E jumps are so low that you reach the impact only about 5 seconds of free fall after jumping.

Safety

Before outlining the spots that B A S E jumpers all over the world consider the greatest, some words of caution are necessary. Only if you are an expert B A S E jumper with years of experience should you consider jumping from these locations. The rules and regulations of each location should be rigorously followed, and no jumping should be done with out the required permits. Do not jump from places where B A S E jumping is illegal. Always check your equipment before jumping.

B A S E Jumping Spots

Meru Peak, Himalayas

The mighty Himalayas were witness to a stupendous jump of 6 604 meters down the east face by Glenn Singleman and Heather Swan. This was the highest B A S E jump in the world.

Trango Towers, Pakistan

The absolute height of the towers above sea level is a massive 20 623 feet. Nick Feteris and Glenn Singlemann made a B A S E jump from a 5 955 meters high elevation on the Northwest face.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

The majestic Angel falls is the highest waterfall in the world at over 3 200 feet. The vertical drop of 2 600 feet makes this an attractive spot for B A S E jumpers the world over.

Kjerag, Norway

The Norwegian mountain Kjerag has a drop of 3 200 feet and is a very popular B A S E jumping destination. In the recent years more than 29 000 jumps were performed here.

Perrine Bridge (Twin falls, Idaho)

This is the only structure in the United States where B A S E jumping is legal year round with no need of permits. The Perrine Bridge has a 486 feet drop to the Snake River, and is a very popular destination.