Bridge Day 2008

[junkman_56]

As some of you know I’m a caver and also like to rappel long drops.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to rappel the New River Gorge Bridge on the annual Bridge Day celebration.
What a BLAST!!!
From the top of the bridge to the water is 876’.
We setup our ropes on the catwalk under the bridge and the distance we rappel is between 850’ to 750’ (depending on where your rope is place in the superstructure).
Our rope was at the 840’ level.

It is quite a rush to rappel that distance. It’s like being a spider on a thread.
I was able to get in 5 rappels before they shut things down at 3:30pm

After all was said and done I settled down to a couple of fine cigars (WOAM from 06 & an Anejo #46 from 05) and a lot of beer.

Here is a link to some of the pictures I took during the day:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27728557@N02/...57608214860473/


One other thing: BASE Jumpers are freaking crazy…

 

[MoeCizlak]

Zoiks!!! That looks like it takes a strong constitution.

 

[stevehawk]

Caving? No...

But rappelling, I'd be all over that! Sounds like you had a blast. Wish I coulda been there.

 

[handyman dave]

As a base jumper I am amazed that you wimped-out using a rope!!

REAL men leap for joy and trust what's on their backs to let them down easy.

Glad you had fun! :thumbs: (Even using a rope, Bridge Day is a BLAST!)

 

[Brickhouse]

That's awesome Carl. I don't think I'd have the guts for it, hehe.

Great pictures as well. You have some gorgeous ones in your albums....looks like a great hobby to have.

 

[cabaiguan juan]

wow, amazing pic's! anyone exiting that bridge from anywhere other then the opposite end is crazy!

 

[junkman_56]

As a base jumper I am amazed that you wimped-out using a rope!!

REAL men leap for joy and trust what's on their backs to let them down easy.

Glad you had fun! :thumbs: (Even using a rope, Bridge Day is a BLAST!)

At least I can stop if I need to... :laugh:

 

[AVB]

You know what they say.......


It ain't the fall that kills you it's the sudden stop.


Any bungee folks there?

As a base jumper I am amazed that you wimped-out using a rope!!

REAL men leap for joy and trust what's on their backs to let them down easy.

Glad you had fun! :thumbs: (Even using a rope, Bridge Day is a BLAST!)

At least I can stop if I need to... :laugh:

 

[junkman_56]

No bungee jumpers at Bridge Day.

 

[AVB]

Do any Australian repelling on one of your five?

 

[Nimrod]

Looked like a thrill to do.
The party afterwords was well deserved.

Good job.

 

[mysterea]

Looks like a great time, and an incredible day!
You ever been up to Cathedral Ledge in North Conway NH? That's a good 700' drop.

edited to remove a question the pics answered..

~R

 

[junkman_56]

Do any Australian repelling on one of your five?

No, they did not permit any upside-down rappelling on Bridge Day.

 

[MoeCizlak]

I've done a little bit of repelling and did it Australian style but it was a 30' drop. I can't imagine doing it from that height.

 

[AVB]

Too bad, I've gone off 100' towers and I can imagine that 800' would be a real rush, almost like jumping.

Do any Australian repelling on one of your five?

No, they did not permit any upside-down rappelling on Bridge Day.