People frequently ask whether I’ve experienced any near misses while BASE jumping. It’s a valid question every jump operates on an edge where seconds and meters can dictate success or disaster, so potentially I would say every jump brings us precariously close to a disaster. Nevertheless, there have been a few standout moments that have imparted crucial lessons, particularly regarding speed and energy management when navigating close to terrain—where, paradoxically, speed can be your ally.
In the mountains, I’ve encountered several close calls. While BASE jumping inherently carries risks, I find the mountains to be uniquely unpredictable and objectively hazardous. One memory that stands out vividly is our return from Aconcagua after I successfully completed the first ever wingsuit flight.
We were roughly 10 kilometers from the park gate, trudging the last few kms with sodden clothes, our heads down looking at the next few metres in front of us. Our group thoroughly exhausted and the rain and mist didn’t help our enthusiasm. The steep valley walls were strewn with loose rocks, and every so often, we heard the telltale sounds of small rocks slipping and tumbling down. Our concern heightened when we heard a disturbance that signaled larger debris was in motion. We paused to observe a rockfall across the valley until suddenly, a massive boulder—about the size of a dinner table—was dislodged. “RUN!” I yelled to Ewa, feeling as though we had stepped into an Indiana Jones film.
I initially hoped the river would act as a barrier, but the boulder bounced through the water, splashing us with icy meltwater before ricocheting onto our side of the riverbank, narrowly missing our group.
I reflect on such moments more often. They remind me that unforeseen factors are always there and the more time we spend in these environments the more likely you are to experience them. However, I’ve learned that there are often ways to anticipate such dangers and take proactive measures to mitigate them.
