There are all types of crimes in this world. There are crimes we deplore, crimes that make us shake our heads at humanity, crimes that we don’t really care about and basically shouldn’t be crimes and then there are the crimes we admire, the ones we secretly wish we could do ourselves. These are the crimes that take guts to pull off and never put anyone other than the criminal in harms way.
A great example of the latter type is illegal BASE jumping because at the end of a failed attempt it’s only the criminal that has anything to worry about. Remember, that a BASE jump is infinitely more dangerous than skydiving. For one thing the environment in BASE jumping is less controlled than in skydiving so there are more factors to consider and more things that can go wrong. But the biggest risk is that fact that a BASE jumper has no reserve chute because a BASE jumper is never high enough in the air to deploy one anyway. So if the chute doesn’t open then the chute doesn’t open and you’re dead. Full Stop!
Here are some examples of legal and illegal BASE jumping from around the world. I can’t help thinking that some of the criminals out there are only a talented bunch of nuts that just need an adrenaline fix like a junky needs a needle in his arm. Remember that BASE jumping itself is not illegal but when you start jumping from buildings you are usually looking at a trespassing charge and whatever else the police can trump up against you.
Anyway, illegal jumping or not these criminals get my respect!
Petronas Towers
This is a good example of the fully illegal BASE jump because this guy has to dress in disguise just to get up to his launch point. He’s like Clark Kent en route to the top and then he gets there and dons his flying suit turning into Superman. Maybe its bizarro Superman because he’s on the wrong side of the law. Sometimes I wish I could fly.
Turning Torso BASE jump
This is another quality illegal BASE jump that gets included because of the added complication of starting a few thousand feet above the building. I have to admit though with the REDBULL logo splattered everywhere it looks like it might be a stunt which would probably have been cleared with the tower owners thereby disqualifying it from the illegal category. Still, it’s a cool jump. Anyone who has ever landed a parachute knows that hitting the top of a rotating building is no easy matter.
Girl has bad BASE jump
Here is a very, very good example of why most of us do not and never will muster the courage/stupidity to jump from a tall building. And the fact is that this is the best of the worst case scenarios. This girl missed the ride of her life by the skin of her teeth. A very lucky outcome and a good reason why doing it on the sly (illegally) is not such a good idea because if something goes wrong you just might want a few dozen people there to help you continue living.
Wingsuit BASE jumping
And finally a totally legal beyond comprehension BASE jump. In case you are wondering why people would risk life and limb this is the reason. I will never in a hundred lifetimes be able to do anything like this but I sure with I could. Imagine the adrenaline, the freedom and the sheer rush of flying a wingsuit down the side of a mountain.
All in all BASE jumping is only for the brave, the very brave and the terminally stupid. But either way I am inclined to believe that if you want to jump from a tall building please be my guest, just don’t put anyone else in harm’s way. But since suicide remains a crime in most of the world it will probably be a long, long time before the average person can just walk to the top of a building and jump off without risking some sort of legal repurcussion.
Pity!
