BASE JUMPING IN MOAB
MOAB IS A PRIME DESTINATION FOR BASE JUMPERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. THE HIGH DENSITY OF SHEER, EASILY ACCESSIBLE CLIFFS MAKE IT AN EXTREMELY DESIRABLE BASE LANDSCAPE.
MOAB BASE HISTORY
BASE jumping in Moab started in the 1990s with a few rugged outdoor enthusiasts. As it has grown from its infancy on the fringes to what is now a well-known extreme sport, its popularity in Moab has grown as well. Though NOT its most frequent customers, BASE jumpers greatly appreciate the local Search and Rescue team and started a fundraiser in 2000. This annual fundraiser has grown each year and has spread its reach to include Grand County EMS, Bureau of Land Management and many local community programs.
CAN YOU CONTROL WHERE YOUR PARACHUTE GOES? WHERE DO YOU LAND?
Yes, modern parachutes allow a jumper to control where they are flying, much like steering while coasting on a bicycle. Jumpers select a landing area that is generally clear of boulders, trees and other hazards prior to jumping and have a plan for their flight path to get there.
HOW DO YOU LEARN HOW TO BASE JUMP? DO YOU PACK YOUR OWN PARACHUTE?
The prerequisite to learn to BASE jump is a minimum of 200 skydives. Skydiving allows the jumper to learn to fly a parachute and basic parachute rigging including packing in an environment that is safer than BASE jumping. After 200 skydives, one is able to sign up for a BASE “First Jump Course” offered by a few companies or individual instructors. Moab is considered an advanced BASE jumping site and is not recommended for beginners.
HOW HIGH DOES THE CLIFF HAVE TO BE?
While this varies as a personal preference from jumper to jumper, the low end of what
is considered jumpable is generally 36.5 – 55 meters (120-180 feet).
Modern equipment and special deployment/rigging techniques allow a jumper to open their parachute very quickly.
HOW LONG CAN YOU WAIT BEFORE YOU DEPLOY THE PARACHUTE?
It depends upon the height of the cliff, type of gear and a few other factors, but in Moab the simple answer is about 0-2 seconds.
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