BAFFIN ISLAND 2011 Basejumping Expedition

We are incredibly excited to announce the 2011 Baffin Island BASE Jumping Expedition, arguably the holy grail of big-wall basejumping in the world. This will be our fourth year to Sam Ford Fjord, Baffin Island in the Arctic Circle of northeastern Canada. At last count, we have 23 named exits off of 12 major wall systems as high as 5700’ (1700 m) above the ice, with most over 4000’ (1200 m). This is truly the most coveted basejumping location in the world with more big walls waiting to be flown than could possibly be jumped in an entire year. Want to open up your own big wall in the Arctic? No problem! Want to jump a different wall on every single load? Easy! Or do you want to run laps on the “local” 3200’ (1000 m) Kiguti wall above camp that is overhung enough for AFF? Sam Ford Fjord has everything from massively overhung walls for crazy fun jumps to the most technically demanding wingsuit proximity lines on the planet.

When: April 14 – May 8, 2011

Where: Sam Ford Fjord, Baffin Island in Nunavut, CANADA

Who: For those who have the required commitment, skills, judgment and resources

Cost: USD $6200

Includes:
*Round-trip airfare from Ottawa, CAN to Clyde River, Baffin Island
*Transportation from Clyde River to Sam Ford Fjord via snowmobile and sleds
*More food than you could possibly eat in a month
*All camp-specific logistics equipment (stoves, generators, satellite phone/internet, etc.)
*Brutally tough tents from Mountain Hardwear including 2 gigantic SpaceStation community dome tents, 1 enormous Stronghold dome tent and as many personal tents as required (2 people per 3-man tent)
*Inuit guide(s) in-camp for polar bear protection and snowmobile transportation to trailheads
*Group snowmobiles and sleds
*Sub-zero temperatures, polar bears, baby seals, caribou stew, arctic char & 24-hour daylight
*The world’s highest density of gigantic walls!

What you bring:
*Everything you want for inside your tent (sleeping bag, foam mattress, television, etc)
*Complete personal clothing assembly for extreme arctic conditions
*Winter hiking safety gear (crampons, mountaineering boots, trekking poles, ice axe, etc.)
*Standard basejumping travel gear
*Any extra toys such as skis, snowboards, speedwings, kites, paragliders, hot air balloons!
*Common sense, sound judgment, solid jumping/tracking/wingsuit skills
*Strong legs and a strong back

Now for the reality check.

This expedition is not meant for the casual BASE traveler. It includes numerous, very dangerous hazards including avalanche, rock fall, ice fall, blizzard, crevasse and whiteout conditions. We have seen all of these hazards every year.
However, our in-depth experience in Sam Ford Fjord provides for safe access to exits as long as precautions are followed for individual trails. No mountaineering experience is required. However, being comfortable hiking and jumping in crampons is a must. Solid self-arrest skills are highly recommended.

Team member selection is critical and is only open to suitably qualified and compatible jumpers. This expedition is ideal for people who can adapt in quickly changing conditions and can make consistently sound judgment calls. It requires consummate team players willing to step up to the plate and look out for each other as situations present themselves.

This expedition is NOT a guided, commercial or insured expedition nor is it a catered, spoon-fed vacation with tent-side service. Everyone will be asked to pitch in and help with day-to-day camp duties… but hey, when’s the last time you had to stab a harpoon into a crystal blue glacier to get drinking water? It’s awesome fun!

With that being said, each of the last 3 expeditions have seen pristine jumping conditions in a stunningly beautiful arctic setting with people begging to stay at the end of the trip. The exits we have earmarked to open are truly spectacular, yet the ones we have already opened are begging for multiple laps. You will honestly be dumbstruck with the hard choice of which walls you must pick to jump. There is not enough time to even scratch the surface of what is jumpable. It is truly a basejumper’s paradise.

If you think you are serious, first go to www.baffinbase.com and read our blogs from our 2010 trip. If you're still psyched, serious inquiries only may be sent to rich@baffinbase.com. Please provide your jump experience, along with any other skills or qualifications you deem relevant. We are in the early stages of planning, and more information will be released as details are progressively finalized.

Get psyched for the adventure of your life!

Richard Webb
2011 Baffin Island BASE Jumping Expedition
Expedition Leader
www.baffinbase.com
rich@baffinbase.com

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