Links & Common Questions

How can I check my order status?

Please login for your complete order history, or fill in the following fields for a specific order

How fast will my order ship?

Most orders are shipped within 24 hours, unless product customization is required. Customized products include bellymount camera platforms and photo enlargements which may take 24-48 hours to ship. Other products such as Bridge Day jump passes and first jump courses are charged to your credit card, but not provided until the event date.

Will you send me shipment tracking information?

Yes, tracking information is sent for every order that requires shipping.

Why isn't my gmail account receiving emails from Vertical Visions?

Gmail has an aggressive spam filter that often filters valid emails. Please check your spam folder for Vertical Visions emails. By clicking on the "NOT SPAM" link in Gmail, you can help educate their spam filter so that our emails are properly received.

Will you send my Bridge Day jump pass via snail mail?

No, you can pick up your jump pass at onsite registration during the two days prior to Bridge Day. See the for details.

Bridge Day Registration Questions

Number of Skydives and BASE Jumps

Per our requirements, jumpers must have at least 100 parachute jumps prior to Bridge Day. Skydives and/or BASE jumps qualify as a parachute jump. If you do not have 100 parachute jumps when you purchase your jump pass, you can still register to jump. When you arrive at Bridge Day, we will verify that you've made additional jumps to meet this requirement.

Date of Last Parachute Jump

Per our requirements, jumpers must have made a parachute jump in the two years prior to Bridge Day. Skydives and/or BASE jumps qualify as a parachute jump.

Bridge Day Harness/Container

You must use a BASE specific harness and container at Bridge Day. Please reference our Bridge Day Gear Guide before you purchase a jump slot if you have questions. Experienced jumpers who used skydiving gear at Bridge Day in the past are permitted to use that same gear. Jumpers with unique gear or special circumstances should contact us before registering for Bridge Day. We're pretty flexible on gear, but we also want to make sure you have the right gear. If you're renting BASE gear, simply indicate this during your registration.

Bridge Day Parachute & Size

You must use a BASE specific or approved skydiving parachute at Bridge Day. Please reference our Bridge Day Gear Guide before you purchase a jump slot if you have questions. Experienced jumpers who used skydiving gear at Bridge Day in the past are permitted to use that same gear. Jumpers with unique gear or special circumstances should contact us before registering for Bridge Day. We're pretty flexible on gear, but we also want to make sure you have the right gear. If you're renting BASE gear, simply indicate this during your registration.

First Time BASE Jumper

First time BASE jumpers are required to receive some form of BASE jumping training before attending the event. The following choices are available:

Attend our 3-day Bridge Day BASE Jump Course. This course typically consists of 18-20 jumpers who want advanced training and the ability to pack by themselves.
Attend our 6-8 hour Bridge Day Introductory Course. This course typically attracts around 70 jumpers who want the basics at a reasonable price (or those with tight schedules).
You can be trained by a qualified mentor.

Qualified Mentors

If you're a first time BASE jumper and you have been or will be trained by a mentor in preparation for Bridge Day, please list your mentor's name and email address in the comments text box when purchasing your jump pass. Qualified mentors should be experienced BASE jumpers with 100+ BASE jumps performed from a variety of fixed objects. Your mentor must have attended and jumped at Bridge Day in the past. By purchasing a Bridge Day jump pass, you authorize us to contact your mentor to verify your training and your mentor's BASE jumping experience.

Late Arrival Option

If you've been to Bridge Day in the past and you'd prefer to simply show up at the exit point on Bridge Day morning to pick up your jumper ID badge, or you're unable to arrive onsite by 4pm on Friday, October 15, 2010, please consider this option. The late arrival option is designed for jumpers who know how Bridge Day works and they'd prefer to skip the onsite registration process. Essentially, jumpers could arrive in Fayetteville on Saturday morning, pick up their jumper ID badge (jump pass) at the exit point, and be off the bridge in a matter of minutes. Here's how it works:

After selecting this option, we'll email you our Bridge Day 2010 waiver with complete written instructions.
You sign the waiver and mail it back to us along with a 2x2 headshot photo and a miniDV tape (or DVD). The miniDV tape (or DVD) will contain video of you reading our standard video waiver, so you'll have to have access to a video camera.
You can skip the Friday night jumper meeting.
Pick up your jumper ID badge via Jason Bell at the exit point on Bridge Day morning. We'll take a quick look at your gear at this time. You're ready to jump!
All waivers, 2x2 photos, and miniDV tapes (DVDs) must be received by October 9, 2010. No exceptions.
Your free Bridge Day T-shirt can be picked up at the Saturday night party or have someone pick it up for you.

If you have already purchased a Bridge Day jump pass and you'd like to take advantage of the late arrival option, simply contact us. We'll email you our waiver along with complete instructions and you can pay the $7.99 fee when you arrive at Bridge Day.

Definitions

Aerial Delivery

Illegal Aerial Delivery is a 1965 law originally set in place to prevent the resupplying of squatters in the National Parks via parachute. It has been repeatedly used against backcountry parachutists for decades.

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 36 - PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY, CHAPTER 1 - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PART 2--RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION

36 CFR 2.17 - Aircraft And Air Delivery
(a) The following are prohibited:

Operating or using aircraft on lands or water [...]
Where a water surface is designated pursuant to paragraph (a.1) of this section, operating or using aircraft under power on the water within 500 feet [...]
Delivering or retrieving a person or object by parachute, helicopter, or other airborne means, except in emergencies involving public safety or serious property loss, or pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit.

2006 NPS Management Policies
8.2.2.7 Parachuting
Parachuting (or BASE jumping), whether from an aircraft, structure, or natural feature, is generally prohibited by 36 CFR 2.17(a)(3). However, if determined through a park planning process to be an appropriate activity, it may be allowed pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit.

...and here is the old policy for reference:

2001 NPS Management Policies
8.2.2.7 BASE Jumping
BASE (Buildings, Antennae, Spans, Earth forms) jumping? also known as fixed object jumping? involves an individual wearing a parachute jumping from buildings, antennae, spans (bridges), and earth forms (cliffs). This is not an appropriate public use activity within national park areas, and is prohibited by 36 CFR 2. 17( 3).

BASE Jumping

BASE Jumping is an acronym for the four types of fixed objects that are utilized for these foot-launched skydives: (B)uilding, (A)ntenna, (S)pan, and (E)arth. BASE jumpers first skydive hundreds of times from aircraft before attempting to BASE jump, which is undoubtedly the world's most extreme sport. Unlike skydiving, BASE jumpers typically use only one parachute as the lower exit altitudes of 200-2000 feet above the ground do not normally permit deployment of a reserve parachute. While it is legal to jump at Bridge Day for six short hours, any jumps made outside this small window can result in $5000 fines, gear confiscation, and a year in jail as imposed by the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS owns a small landing area on the East side of the bridge, but they've often arrested and prosecuted jumpers who've landed on private property several hundred yards outside the park border. Fortunately, there are many legal bridges and cliffs around the USA and Europe for parachutists to enjoy their sport, but the safest ones reside in National Parks.

Background Checks (Bridge Day)

Background checks are required because jumpers will be the only people permitted to carry "backpacks" on the bridge. When jumpers submit their names, date of birth, and SSN or passport numbers (if not a US citizen), this information will be used for a background check performed by the Sheriff. No background checks are needed if you previously registered for Bridge Day since 2002, as this process is only needed the first year you register to jump. Situations that would disqualify you from jumping would include: Outstanding felony warrants, previous arrests for explosives, terrorist-related activities, or similar records. Misdemeanor warrants for items such as traffic tickets, or prior arrests or convictions for BASE jumping offenses will NOT affect your jumping at Bridge Day. Since 2002, no BASE jumpers have failed the background check. All SSN and passport number information will be destroyed immediately after background checks are performed. The NPS has nothing to do with background checks, although it is possible (albeit illegal) that the Sheriff could share information with them.

Copyright

All material on this website is copyright ©2010 Vertical Visions. Unauthorized use or copying of any material on this website, unless explicitly stated otherwise, is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of Vertical Visions. Copyright ©2010 Vertical Visions. All rights reserved.

Mesh Slider

Slider Similar to a standard sail slider used for skydiving, a mesh slider contains a mesh material in the middle that permits air to flow through it. The increased air flow doesn't hold the slider up near the canopy as well as a sail slider during opening. Since they pose less resistance to the wind, mesh sliders come down faster and allow the canopy to open more quickly. Mesh sliders are typically used for delays from 2 seconds up to terminal velocity (with proper reefing). Make sure you get one that is similar in size and shape to your current slider.

Photo (2x2) for ID Badge (Bridge Day)

Bridge Day Badge All jumpers and staff must bring a 2x2 headshot photo to Bridge Day. Once you arrive in Fayetteville, come to River Expeditions for onsite registration and bring the photo with you. After you sign our waiver, we'll check your driver's license or passport to verify who you are, then we'll make you a Bridge Day ID badge using the photo you've given to us. The Bridge Day ID badge is mandated by the State of West Virginia and must be worn at all times during Bridge Day. This ID badge is very important and will provide you with the following opportunities:

Access onto the bridge with your "backpack" or rig
Access to the jumper exit area
It will serve as your jump ticket
It will contain important medical data in case you are injured or become ill
It will allow us to categorize you into four groups of 113 jumpers
It will allow us to mark the number of jumps you have made during the day
Free bus rides from River Expeditions to the bridge and from the LZ to the top of the bridge
Access to the pizza and drink at the Saturday night party
It will serve as a souvenir of the Bridge Day event
We'll mark what time you jumped on your badge to help you find Bridge Day photos after the event

Your 2x2 photo should consist of the following:

Photos can be in black and white or color
Photos must be approximately 2" x 2" square in size
We would suggest you use a Polaroid camera, passport photo services, or your own personal color printer to provide a suitable photo for your ID badge
If you forget to bring a photo to Bridge Day, we can take your photo during onsite registration at Bridge Day for a $5 fee

Social Security Numbers (SSN) or Passport Numbers (Bridge Day)

Jumpers are required by order of the State of West Virginia to submit their names, date of births, and SSN's (passport numbers and country if not a US citizen) during registration for a background check, unless you previously registered for Bridge Day since 2002. Canadian jumpers who don't have a passport can simply provide their Canadian ID number (equivalent to US citizen's SSN).

Pilot Chute (PC)

A pilot chute is a miniature parachute released by a freefalling jumper in order to produce drag and subsequently pull the main or reserve parachute from the container. BASE jumping pilot chutes are typically 32"-48" in diameter and made from F-111 or zero porosity nylon with a mesh bottom. A 9' long bridle is utilized to attach a pilot chute to the main or reserve parachute. New jumpers often hold the pilot chute in their right hand for easier deployment while the more experienced prefer to store it in a spandex pocket at the bottom of the container. Contrary to popular belief, there is no ripcord or cord. Rather, jumpers typically reach for a circular disk made of thick fabric or a cylindrical plastic handle located at the apex of the pilot chute. Jumpers will be required to use a minimum 38" diameter pilot chute (4-7 second delays) and a 9' bridle. 42" pilot chutes are recommended for 2-4 second delays.

Tailpocket

The tail pocket is a Velcro-closed pouch that holds the lines during deployment and is very similar to the pocket on most CRW canopies and reserve freebags. Parachute lines are symmetrically placed inside the tailpocket in a Figure 8 or "switchback" type pattern rather than using rubber bands as seen on skydiving rigs. Your rigger or a BASE gear manufacturer can easily sew on a tailpocket for you at cost of $30-$50.