180 openings

[guest]

How likely is someone able to turn around a mojo from a 180 opening of a cliff jump that has no overhang and only a 1 sec delay? It seems possible but people still hit cliffs and buildings! Are you most likely, or unlikely to live through a strike?

just wondering thanks.

[guest]

Potsie,

I don't have a great deal of Mojo experience. I jumped a borrowed one about six times and it was a good canopy. However, I do have a great deal of experience on low cliffs. I must say that a 180 after a 1 second delay from a cliff with no overhang is pushing the very limits of one's skills. I try to find overhanging cliffs if they are low. I tend to avoid sub 300ft. cliffs and buildings, especially if there is any wind against me. I am certain that wind plays a major role in off-heading openings and with deep brake settings, penetration into wind is a difficult and dangerous scene if you are still very close to the object. It is therefore, considerably less dangerous if there is no wind and you take a bit longer delay to get at least a little bit more separation from the object. I once came extremely close to hitting the steel on a coastal bridge in the Northwest due to a tiny bit of head wind and a 90 right opening. I could not riser turn and had to un-stow one side to get the canopy to obey me. I came so close to hitting the bridge verticals that it made a "lasting impression" on me, changed my way of thinking and made me a much better jumper in only one jump. If it had been a cliff, I probably wouldn't be here. To answer your other question; I have been with two people who hit cliffs. Both had to be carried out and both hurt for a while. One was a compound Tib/Fib and required an all night rescue in the water in a flash flood. One was a giant bruise from head to toe on one side with a head injury and resulted in over a month on crutches and permanent damage. I have also seen two building strikes with injuries. Let's just say that it is something you definitely DO NOT WANT TO DO. After you push this sport to a certain point, it is more like Russian Roulette than a somewhat reasonable activity. "One must know oneself". Take care and be careful.

Earl