Helicopters, Americans and BASE

[guest]

I understand that Aerial Extreme (Mark Lichtle) is planning a private (i.e. just open to the Aerial Extreme group) helicopter boogie at Kjerag for the first week of August.

I am wondering how the locals (Scandinavians, or any other Europeans, actually), feel about this event.

Is this likely to be another case where the "ugly American" just irritates the locals, or is this a well planned, pre-informed event that the locals will support?

Anyone have any opinions on this?

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu

[guest]

I wasn't with the Aerial Extreme group, but I was in Lysebotn while they were there. I paid my own slot for two rides to the top of Kjerag on the helicopter last summer.

I was told that helicopters are not generally permitted to land on top of Kjerag during tourist season for safety reasons, but that Aerial Extreme had acquired the necessary film permits to allow such an activity.

I was there for a week after the Aerial Extreme group left. I never got the impression that anyone was irritated or upset.

Mark S.

[guest]

Let's just hope that Mark has the sense to open his "private" boogie to other jumpers willing to pay for a slot. No matter how much preparation went into this, if jumpers want a helicopter ride, and are told they can't because they are not part of the Lictle group, there WILL be trashing of those ugly Americans. So come on Mark, don't try and make this trip Cave BASE 2, even if you do have the "air of knowledge".
Maybe the Scandinavians will make July the month of the "private", no Americans boogie...."No man, I'm not American, I'm Canadian eh, I don't even know that guy who owns the Mexican cave!..."

Words to the wise; BEFORE you give "some people" a dub of your video, ask him if you can get his as well, if he tries to charge you for it, you will understand the term, Ugly American.

Peace, love, and big rocks, M4

[guest]

well well. I fail to see how this "event" is exclusive to Americans or Aerial Extreme Group. Anybody (repeat, anybody) can setup a chopper ride if they wish. And of course, humans being what they are, the path of least resistance usually wins (as true in nature). What I mean is this, you can either take the initiative and organize a chopper to be available, OR, you can lurk and piss and moan when there isn;t enough room for the whole world be parasitic on the efforts of others. I guess it kinda a lead or follow thingy. As always, proper respect is expected to be shown. There is my opinion. (blast away) Cheers, Jeff

[guest]

amen. what a bunch of socialist pukes. get your own damn chopper and quit whining about what Mark does.

[guest]

Yo!

I wasn't criticizing (heck, I wasn't expressing an opinion of any kind). I was asking what opinions, if any, the locals had.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu

[guest]

Tom, we know what you were really saying, and your use of poison arrow frogs to impale local bar owners will not be tolerated on this forum. Helicopters indeed. Why don't you say what you really mean, that you think Mark has had one set of ribs removed to give his waist that slimmer-trimmer look so popular with models these days. You Marxist-Leninist-Trotskyist. Fie on you!!!

[guest]

Oh Yea Baby,

I can't wait. I hear those Scandanavian chics are very permiscuious. I'm really looking forward to chugging down some booze and gettin lucky with some of the fair haired locals.

Lets all just have a good time sewing some seeds.
Peace and lots of love.

[guest]

Ok, ok, I am not a "registered" socialist, nor do I think Mark looks all that good with his new slim-waisted-no-rib look. I did sound a bit harsh, but those associated with the Mince Division are expecting nothing less. Actually, I have known Mark for quite awhile, and I consider him a friend. (Don't get me started on the charging for a dub incident, though!!x(
I do hope his group, as well as any other group who might charter a helicopter, would gladly let any other jumpers pay for any slots open. I guess what most of us would like to see, is more coming together of BASE jumpers, regardless of national origin or breast size.
So Mark, I hope this guilts you into letting all of my friends ride your chopper for free all week, and if you want to, you can give me a free dub. Naw, actually, the jump sort of sucked anyway, keep it.

Chugging brews and sewing seeds? Martian Bob, assumed name or not, we see you.
Once again, Traci Lords is NOT Scandinavian!

M4

[guest]

That's more like it, bro; offering to pay for open slots. pure capitalism, tempered by botherly access.

[guest]

Don't sign any form of release papers for him as a basis of getting the airlift to the top,or a waiver that sells your soul so he can make money off of you. You should get half of whatever profit he might get out of using your acrobatics or whatever else you do.
PP

[guest]

Mark does not exist to serve YOU, punk.

Go buy your own damn helicopter, go buy $30,000 worth of your own cameras.

I suppose you think gas stations and airlines and hotels should sell you services at a loss too, or give them away to you because you're a base god who deserves it.

Mark may or may not bat 1,000 percent on the personal and business ethics ballfield, but at least he's out there trying to make a living and benefiting BASE along with himself... unlike punks such as yourself.

Did you demand free rigs and parachutes too?

:* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :*

[guest]

Benefiting BASE jumping? How?

[guest]

I have tried to get on Mark's loads before. It's like trying to get into an Academy Awards party. It's who you know or who you're sleeping with who knows Mark. If he really wanted to make some money he'd let some men and women who can really do aerials onto his loads. But that might steal his sunshine.

Anyway, that's not what I wanted to say. I wanted to say - Nice comeback Mark! Or is this Mark's wife replying.

[guest]

He sells cool base stuff that gets widely aired, increasing the exposure of the sport, and educating the public about it.

[guest]

this isn't mark or his ho'-- just somebody who's sick of punks and pukes like you who think they're somehow ENTITLED to sharing (free of charge, of course) in the fruits of other people's hard labor and cash outlay. Too bad there are now so many of you in BASE jumping, but when all good things become popular enough, the nosepickers and whiners start slobbering all over it.

Slam somebody who deserves it -- like, say, that misbegotten wench who spawned YOU.

:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

[guest]

With the possible exception of BASE 581 (I don't know where he's from), and a few email replies (confidential by request), everyone who has responded to this thread is an American.

I was really looking for the opinions of the locals (Scandinavians, or even other Europeans).

Please, let's not start another war of words between us Americans.

Does anyone who is NOT an American have a view?

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu

[guest]

After 9 hikes to the top of Kjerag my feet were toasted. I asked Mark if there were any spare slots on the chopper and if so, could I have one. One hour later I was ferried to the top with 3 friends after paying what seemed like a fair price. If my memory serves me correctly, a request was put out for those interested in covering ferry costs and then using the chopper. I think a lot of people "hung back" because of either the a) cost or b) possibility of paying for a ferry without a guarantee of jumping if the weather deteriorated. If I am mistaken, apologies. However I was appreciative of the chance of getting a load to exit point 6.

[guest]

Yo !

Tom, i know it's a bit off the subject, but with a wingsuit and some experience it's rather pointless to hike beyond #1, unless you want to visit #8 ;-) Smellveggen is slightly higher than #5..7. With some wind you can take a 40+ sec flight and still land at the campground, no wind may cut it by a few seconds. Thus most of your hikes will be under 30 minutes, hardly worth paying for a chopper. No boat rides either! ;-)

bsbd!

Yuri.

[imported_mknutson]

Yuri, I was curious....
How close to the campground can you actually fly with the wingsuit befor opening?

Also, which suit did you use to get a 40+ second delay? Classic or Skyflyer?

[hr]

Thank You
Mick Knutson :D

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[guest]

Yo !

I was flying an old Classic last year. On better flights from #1 my impact point would be over the rocks behind the shoreline. On the last flight i got 41sec pulling just under 1000' (turning left away from the cliff, over the water) and landing by the campground. If you want to risk a water landing you can push 50 from either Smellveggen or #4 and #5 (highest exits for Kjerag).

There is a tiny rocky beach behind the ridge (half-way from #1 to the campground) where you can land dry - just in case.

Skyflyer gives me exactly the same flight time, but it does covers more distance.

Now if you really want to have fun, go for #8... but don't let Feral shoot the video! ;-)

bsbd!

Yuri.

[feral]

Settle down my ruski mate jeb just emailed me and i have been hired to be your camera man so don't mess with me or my batteries will be flat..


bsbd feral