The Perrine Memorial
Bridge over the Snake River Canyon marks
the northern entrance to Twin Falls, Idaho. At 1500 feet in
length, the longest span bridge in the United States' west stands 486 feet
above the Snake River.
The Bridge has particular significance for B.A.S.E jumpers as it is possible to jump there every day of the year, legally. With an excellent landing area and the services of a boat crew to retrieve you after each jump, its B.A.S.E jumping paradise and the perfect place to learn.
The BASEClimb Team drove to Twin Falls via Salt Lake City (about a 4 hour trip) in a big 'RV' (recreational vehicle). In hindsight driving such a big vehicle on the other side of the road (Australian's drive on the left) was by far the scariest part of the trip! We stayed at the KOA RV Park in Twin Falls, amazed that our RV was small compared to the dozens of other monsters at the Park.
When I first saw the bridge I was not happy. I had expected a quiet pedestrian affair, not a four lane interstate with huge trucks thundering across it every few seconds. There was a 4-foot guard rail to negotiate and on the other side just enough room to rest your heels! At that stage I didn't even bother to look over the edge, I had already decided that I couldn't jump off it.
Marta and her partner Jimmy had been at the Bridge for a few days when we arrived. We'd just missed her 800th BASE jump. I was really happy to see her and not happy at the same time (I was thinking if we couldn't find her I wouldn't have to jump off). I said to her "I can't believe you brought me all the way from Australia to jump off that!". She laughed (all very well for her I thought).
Vertigo BASE Outfitters runs B.A.S.E courses from the bridge and one of our friends, Brad Jones, had also come all the way from Australia to learn. When we arrived he had made a couple of jumps and reassured me it was 'great, no problem'. Later that day I watched him jump again and the look on his face told another story, he was just as scared as I was. I appreciated him trying to make me feel better though!
I watched quite a few other B.A.S.E jumpers before making my first jump. I hadn't slept the night before I was so worried so when the time came it was a relief to get it over with. The climb over wasn't nearly as bad as I expected and all things considered I felt pretty comfortable standing on the edge. The water below was reassuring, even though from that height, it may as well have been concrete.
The jump went well. All the training we'd done from the hot air balloon ensured my body position was good and I had no problems landing my canopy in the right spot. My first BASE jump was a success, and I loved it! It is a beautiful sport. In just two seconds of free fall, your awareness expands to embrace an incredible range of images and sensations. Unlike skydiving, B.A.S.E jumping is very quiet. I found it peaceful and exhilarating at the same time. Of course a bridge is very different to a cliff, but the same principals apply and I am looking forward to jumping cliffs in Moab early December.
We spent a fantastic week in Twin Falls jumping from the bridge, packing and eating! We met and jumped with a lot of really great people. To top off an unbelievable week we made a night jump. The moon was full and the night still and clear. We lit the landing area with glow sticks so it was clearly visible. Jimmy, Marta, Brad, Lee, Glenn and I made the jump, enjoying an incredible experience. To me it was like jumping into black velvet. I will never forget how it felt.
The next stop on our journey is Nepal. Check back at the end of November to see how we go.
