Big Nik made his last jump

guest · August 7th, 2002, 05:57 PM

I have always been proud of my big brother in life, but never have I realized how many people he has impacted and inspired. Reading your messages brings some peace in my heart. He has helped influence my own character in striving to carve one's own path, no matter who disagrees. I was one of the few family members who did not try to talk him out of BASE jumping because it was such a passion of his, though now a part of me wishes I did. We all know that he loved it too much anyway, and no matter what anyone could have said, this could not have been taken away from him. He always told me he had no intention of living to be an old man, but nothing could have prepared me for the part of me that has died with him. Please never forget what a special person Nik was. I love you all as much as he did...because, he did.

-Ali

guest · August 7th, 2002, 06:17 PM

I have always been proud of my big brother in life, but never have I realized how many people he has impacted and inspired. Reading your messages brings some peace in my heart. He has helped influence my own character in striving to carve one's own path, no matter who disagrees. I was one of the few family members who never tried to talk him out of BASE jumping because it was such a passion of his, though now a part of me wished I did. We all know that he loved it too much anyway, and no matter what anyone could have said, this could not have been taken away from him. He always told me he had no intention of living to be an old man, but nothing could have prepared me for the part of me that has died with him. Please never forget how special Nik was, and is. I love you all as much as he did...because, he did.
-Ali

guest · August 7th, 2002, 08:30 PM

Nothing compares to losing someone that makes you realize just how much you valued having them as a friend.

I didn’t know Nik for very long, and I’m not a BASE jumper so I wasn’t very familiar with that aspect of his life. However, in the short while that I had the privilege of knowing him, I quickly learned what an amazing person he truly was. As I read everyone’s comments I realize that I’m not alone in recognizing that he was an incredibly unique and special person. Nik accomplished more during his short life than most will in three lifetimes. But more impressive than his list of accomplishments, was his surprising generosity. Nik had a great talent for nonchalantly noticing very subtle aspects about a person, and then relating to them in a way that let them know that he had genuine concern for their well being.

I didn’t realize just how much I valued his friendship until he was gone. Today has been very sad indeed. I will miss you Nik!

Ali, if you read this, I want to let you know that if there is anything I can help you with in SB please don’t hesitate to ask, I’ll help in any way that I can.

Matt
mattcanham@yahoo.com

guest · August 8th, 2002, 02:29 AM

O.K. we just returned. It was beautiful, towering cumulus, blue skies, brilliant sunshine, green meadows, yellow cliff faces, friends that love him.
Nik's memorial jump in Lauterbrunnen. Dwain Weston, Karin Sako, Ray Losli, Fast Al Scott, Robert Pecnik, Doug Mickle, Jeb Corliss, Anne Helliwell.
We have Nik's lucky meteorite bag, we each carried a lucky charm from it, did our best Nik jump to gather in the landing area of Nik's favorite jump in the valley, La Mouse. We toasted Vine Rouge in his honor with his Psilocybin Solution.
Nik you are the SOLUTION
Always in our hearts
We love you very much forever

The crew you left behind in Lauterbrunnen
We will meet again

guest · August 8th, 2002, 05:25 AM

Nik: Thank you so much for your loyal friendship. You will be missed more than you would have ever imagined. I have many fond memories of you I just wish I had more. God took you home too soon. I keep smiling thinking about that stellar tennis court landing you did in Malaysia. I'll never forget that. I also know that many in the law enforcement community are already missing you and talking about what a great asset you were to your profession. You were larger than life Nik. I'll never forget you. Friends always, Coop.

guest · August 8th, 2002, 09:10 AM

Nik's coming back to Portland on Saturday, August 10. There will be an informal memorial service at Wilhelm's Funeral Home,6637 SE Milwaukee Ave, Portland, OR, on Sunday at 4:00 PM. Everyone who can make it is invited. Nik's party....for everyone...will follow, but details are still to be hammered out.

Thanks,

Dale

imported_mknutson · August 8th, 2002, 09:56 AM

This posting just made me remeber Bridge 1999 on the IPBC competition Jump of Nik's. it is on tape and Dennis has it:

Nik steps up to the ramp for his jump. He says "Slider up jump, 4 second delay, flat and stable with a with a 45 degree..........."; he pauses to look down the front of his pants (looking at the position of his Psilly guys ;-) ), the he says "LEFT (very confidently) opening!".

He then jumps, a very incredible flat and stable exit, 4 seconds, he pitches the pilot chute.

AND GUESS WHAT.....
He gets his 45 degree LEFT opening.

I can't remeber if he got an opening award for this or not?
Does anyone else remeber this?

imported_mknutson · August 8th, 2002, 10:12 AM

The BASE-Board remebers Nik:

http://www.blincmagazine.com/cgi-bin...89&forum=board

http://www.blincmagazine.com/cgi-bin...48&forum=board

http://www.blincmagazine.com/cgi-bin...44&forum=board

http://www.blincmagazine.com/cgi-bin...09&forum=board

I am still looking for the Cross-dressing jumps and photos.

guest · August 8th, 2002, 03:42 PM

hey slim,
if there is anything you would like said at his funeral please let me know.

briannelsonis@msn.com

nik's friend ,
brian

guest · August 9th, 2002, 02:22 AM

Thanks to a personal note from Mik I just got the news about Nik. I must say it has taken the wind out of me.
Nik was a great friend and supporter of everything BASE. His gregarious attitude and loving nature made him one of a kind.
Nik always supported the IPBC, Bridge Day and any other event he took part in. He did it with passion and commitment not seen from many people. This support of the sport took many other forms as well. For this reason the sport is much different because of him. Nik Really made an impact, one that is far-reaching in it’s own way.
I will miss you Nik and you will always be there with me tipping pints and chasing girls.
Thanks Nik
Harry Parker

guest · August 9th, 2002, 02:49 AM

Nik I will look forward to jumping with you in again!!

I will miss you and will always remember the good memories in Moab, Twin Falls and BD!!

You made the sport and the lives of people around you flourish with humor and smiles:-)

I am a better person for having known you and will never forget you!

Blue skies forever!!

Timmm

guest · August 9th, 2002, 03:29 AM

I was very fortunate to have the honor and priviledge of working with Nik. I am the diving coach that has worked closely with Nik, Slim, and Dwain, and have taught them a lot of aerial skills that I thought would help in saving their life someday. I did this because they all came to me and truly wanted to take base to a new level. As a coach, you become very attatched to the people you are working with - and they have all made a huge impact on my life. I will always cherish the time spent with Nik. His charm, wit, and willingness to work as hard as he was capable - always made our time together memorable and fun.
Nik, I bid you farewell on your journey through eternity.
Cheers,
Ron

guest · August 9th, 2002, 06:49 AM

Your Idaho family is at a complete loss...known Nik since we were both 15, incredible man, and an incredible family. Nik, you will be missed more than one could ever imagine....

Joe

guest · August 9th, 2002, 12:16 PM

I have a picture of Nik that I would like to share with everyone. Please see my page at tetralite.com/nik [link:tetralite.com/nik|Nikolas Hartshorne] for a larger image.
Please feel free to use this picture in loving memory of Nik. Also find my email address there and write me if you want a copy of the original high-res digital image (349KB size).
http://tetralite.com/nik/Nik_7K.jpg
Taken June 30, 2001

We love you and miss you, Nik.

Mark Snyder,
Just one of Nik's many friends in Seattle

rawtrick · August 9th, 2002, 02:24 PM

It's hard to beleive it when I heard Nick had a wall strike. He was a true freind, one of the few real base jumpers that did it from his heart, I'm lost for words here, just want to say to his relatives and freinds that Nick was special to me, and model person un-matched by any other. He was real, honest, caring and loved by all! I will miss him.....
rawtrick@sbcglobal.net