Archive for the ‘Testimonials’ Category

West Virginia Zipline

Friday, October 9th, 2009
West Virginia Bishop on the Zipline

West Virginia Bishop on the Zipline

The first time I zipped off the New River Bridge, I thought to myself, why would anyone want to step off a perfectly good bridge? The excitement and thrill of just the thought of going down the zip line was almost more than I could fathom.

I went down under the roadway, to find a small camp-like set up, with people milling around, and getting organized. As I look around, I realize that I have a few of the bridge, and of the jumpers, that almost no one else has ever had. Looking up, and out, at the jumpers, and seeing the underside of the bridge, is something that very few have ever had the priviledge of seeing.

There was a small ladder leaning up against the wall, leading to the catwalk. I looked at it, and thought “No big deal. It’s just an extension ladder.” I was right. It was no big deal, to climb up the ladder. However, moving from the ladder to the catwalk WAS a big deal. It’s only a little more than 2 feet wide. Only has two rails on either side to hold me in, and it leads out over the ground that disappears rapidly, as one walks out toward the middle of the bridge. Being the gorge, the wind picks up considerably, the farther one walks out.

I don’t know if anyone ever noticed, but there are what appear to be ‘trap doors’ on the catwalk, that lead to small ladders that hang down. I wonder what those are for. Someday, maybe I’ll have an opportunity o investigate.

Finally, when I get to the starting point of the zip line, the person in charge tells me to stand on the lower rail. (Right!) Then he hooks me up, and tells me to swing my right leg onto the left rail. (HA!). Now, climb over, and hold on.

Now, step down onto the flange. It’s only about a 6” x 6” piece of steal. Trying to do this blindly is certainly a test of faith.

Then he says, there’s another flange below that. Step down on that. Now THIS is a faith journey!

Once upon that, he says, “Lean back slowly, and let go.” Who’s he kidding? Let go? You got to be kidding.

But…once I let go, and start down the line, I have the most wonderful, exciting ride I’ve ever had. The adrenaline is rushing, and there is more to look at than there is time to take it all in.

I land at the bottom, and only wish I could do it all again.

What a great time!!!

Special Guest Post By:

The Rt Rev W Michie Klusmeyer
Bishop of West Virginia

Posted in Testimonials, Visitor Information, Zip Line | No Comments »

A Local B.A.S.E. Jumper’s Perspective

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
Marcus Ellison - A "Local"

Marcus Ellison - A "Local" Jumper

I grew up in Oak Hill, WV right next door to Fayetteville where Bridge Day is held every year. It’s always either on or right after/before my birthday, so I remember nearly all of them and always look forward to the day every year.

But I don’t remember any other Bridge Day quite as well as last year, October 18, 2008. It was the first time I got to know what being a B.A.S.E. Jumper on Bridge Day was like. And, as a bonus, it was all in front of the hometown crowd, and on my birthday!

Early, during the first round of jumps, not many spectators are there. But most of my friends were out there to see me jump, yell at me, and make it really memorable ( in addition to being my first BD jump and all). It was all that and more- and awesome jump, any way you look at it.

However, my second jump of the day was definitely one to remember. A group of my skydiving friends and I had a little private packing area in the median of the road right beside a vendor booth that my parents were running for their church. By this time it was noon, and the crowd was out in full force. I had tons of people that I know crowded around me while packing, asking questions taking photos and all that jazz. I finished packing, stood up to put my rig on, and started walking.

A Birthday B.A.S.E. Jump

A Birthday B.A.S.E. Jump

I told my mom I loved her, and some other jumper friends walked along with me as I made my way out to the bridge. We were getting on down the road when a local friend of mine comes up to me and tells me to turn around and look. I did.

There, I saw a swarm of people, all from my hometown, following me to the platform to watch my jump. Everyone from my sister and brother, to people I haven’t seen since I graduated high school in ’03. It was astonishing. We got to the end of line of jumpers and the swarm thickens, more questions, photos and even a couple kisses!

A buddy and I had planned on doing simultaneous gainers right beside each other and I was going low and he was pulling high so we were sticking to it. We get to the platform and the mc comes to me and asks what we were planning to do on our jump, and as I’m about to tell my friend butts in, “It’s this kid’s birthday!” I was thinking Ok here go, but the guy was like, “No way, what’s your name and where are you from?” So I tell him I’m Marcus Ellison and this is my hometown right here.

The crowd went nuts and the mc said that I had groupies! So he gives us the platform, it was our turn to go, crowd still flipping out and I was literally about to do the same. We take off toward the edge, get there, jump, (my buddy decided not to flip at the last second and didn’t tell me) go into the rotation, flatten out look to see my buddy, he pulls, I wait another second and dump!

I could hear the crowd from the time I left the bridge all the way to the landing area at Fayette Station, where my dad was waiting on me and gave me a big ol’ hug! That’s what it’s like to be a local B.A.S.E. Jumper on Bridge Day! See you this year October 17, 2009.

Special Guest Post By: Marcus Ellison

An Oak Hill, WV native and West Virginia University Student, Marcus is into jumping from things and general shenanigans.

Posted in BASE Jumping, Testimonials | No Comments »