Bird Dream

by Matt Higgins

  On October 14, Felix Baumgartner, the pioneering professional BASE jumper, rode in a capsule beneath a balloon 128,100 feet up into the stratosphere for the Stratos Project, sponsored by Red Bull. When he plunged out, Baumgartner set the record for the highest free fall and broke the speed of sound during descent, plummeting at more than 830 miles an hour. The same week, Jeb, Iiro, and Frank Yang returned to China for the debut of the World Wingsuit League, a three-quarter-mile wingsuit race they organized from the platform on Tianmen Shan. Although he was jumping again, Jeb could not compete due to lingering injuries to his knee. Some of the world’s foremost pilots took part, including Joby, Tony, Jeff Nebelkopf, Jhonathan Florez, Jokke, and Douggs; Julian Boulle wound up winning.

  Matt Gerdes formed a wingsuit manufacturing company called Squirrel Suits, Inc., and Roberta and Douggs each found a niche, and their voices, hosting their own Web series. Joby continued planning and training for another first: an attempt in 2014 to climb Everest and launch from the summit with a wingsuit, a spectacle to be broadcast live by the Discovery Channel. (By April, Joby would make it to base camp, but an avalanche would kill sixteen sherpa guides, some working for his expedition, canceling the project).

  For Gary, there was no great windfall resulting from his wingsuit landing. He struggled just to find stunt work in TV and film. Were employers thinking, Wow, he’s done that, he’s done the Olympics, we can’t afford him? Or, We won’t even bother ringing him because he’ll be so busy because of what he’s done? Gary didn’t know.

  But he had been enriched in other ways. On May 25, 2013, a year and two days after he landed, Gary took some visitors out to Mill End Farm. The place still conjured powerful feelings. “I’m trembling,” he said. “I’m going all goose bumpy just putting myself back there again. It’s never something that’s going to go away. It’s wonderful.” Driving back to Henley, he mused on mortality. First a man’s mortal body goes, then he dies again once his name and deeds are forgotten. “You die a second time when people stop talking about you, when no one knows your name,” he said. The first death was inevitable, but he was hoping to delay the second. That’s what the wingsuit landing had been about.

  On August 14, Mark Sutton was killed in Switzerland while he and Tony were flying wingsuits. They had jumped out of a helicopter together, and Mark struck a ridge in the Swiss Alps along the French border, near Trient. He was forty-two. Sutton’s death made news worldwide for a few days. He was one of a record twenty-two pilots killed that year.

  Two months later, on September 28, approaching two years after crashing at Table Mountain, Jeb returned, pulling off a spectacular wingsuit stunt, jumping from a helicopter and, at 122 miles per hour, slicing through a crack sixteen feet wide in Jianglang Mountain, in eastern China. “It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever done,” he would say about a feat he called the Flying Dagger.

  He had been so scared in the chopper that he began crying and considered calling off the jump altogether. He reminded himself that he would die anyway, eventually. And he knew that if he couldn’t continue, he would be finished. He would never jump again.

  And then who would he be?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Writing may be a solitary exercise, but no writer operates without considerable assistance, and this book owes a debt to a great many talented and articulate people, particularly Jeb Corliss and Gary Connery, gifted raconteurs both. Their generosity and patience while taking time to explain and share many personal aspects of their lives made them essential partners in this enterprise. Jeb sat through more than one hundred hours of interviews and allowed me to accompany him in the United States, Switzerland, China, and South Africa. Gaining access to a subculture as notoriously closed to outsiders as BASE jumping would have presented some obvious challenges, too, if not for his guidance.

  Gary also endured dozens of hours of telephone interviews and reminisced about his landing while providing a walking and driving tour of Henley-on-Thames, Mill End Farm, and the surrounding English countryside. I also want to thank him for making his military records available.

  Despite their reputation for secrecy, the BASE-jumping and wingsuit-flying practitioners I met were warm, friendly, and delightfully down to earth. I particularly want to thank the following people for indulging my many questions: Joby Ogwyn, Chris “Douggs” McDougall, Anne Helliwell, Todd Shoebotham, Nick DiGiovanni, Karin Sako, Tony Uragallo, Jeff Nebelkopf, Karina Hollekim, Matt Gerdes, Roberta Mancino, Barry Holubeck, Iiro Seppänen, Loïc Jean-Albert, Luigi Cani, Maria von Egidy, Gary Cunningham, Jokke Sommer, Stephan Mueller, Jhonathan Florez, Brian Drake, Julian Boulle, Taya Weiss, Steph Davis, Gary Kremer, Miles Daisher, and Mike Swanson. I especially want to remember Mark Sutton, whose many contributions were invaluable, and Mario Richard, who gave me a lift in Switzerland and offered to take me jumping; both men died within a week of each other in August 2013 while flying wingsuits.

  While traveling, a writer is bound to meet many good-hearted people, and I’m thankful to the following for their fellowship and conversation: in Switzerland, Mark and Ursula Nolan; Dr. Bruno Durrer; Christian and Andreas Gubser; Gian Autenrieth, who gave the Web “Grinding the Crack”; Marc Dorian from CBS; and Kurt and Thorsten Hoefle.

  In China, I discovered many curious people whose humanity heartens me when I recall those times. Frank Yang was essential in assisting hapless foreigners. I thank him for never leaving me behind, even when I deserved to be. The translation of Minos “the Wizard” Degel and Monica were essential. Gigi Fitzmorris demonstrated from whom her son derives his backbone and shared her family’s fascinating and adventurous history. Nic “Moose” Good’s droll wit and companionship kept a leash on my sanity. “Papi” Sommer and Mr. and Mrs. Eskoo Seppänen served as an example for supporting your children’s dreams, no matter how unusual.

  In South Africa, I want to thank the aptly named Good family, for their warm hospitality and hot meals. Thanks to Kristian Schmidt for unparalleled views of Camps Bay, and Teddy Msuku for a reminder to not take a moment for granted. Thanks also to the crew from HBO’s Real Sports’s Spencer Wilking, Tim Walker, Jon Frankel, Chris Everson, and Ken Geraghty. In Florida, thanks to the folks at TonySuits, Inc., especially Tony’s lovely wife, Mary, for tolerating my intrusions during work time. In Britain, thanks to Vivienne Connery as well as Chris and Hazel Bullock. Jon Bonny, Andrew Harvey, and Nick English also provided essential assistance.

  Some men of science patiently explained theorems related to what’s necessary to fly and land a wingsuit, both from a technical and a mental standpoint. Roy Haggard, a true believer of unwavering confidence, convinced me early on that talk of a landing was more than mere bravado. Jean Potvin not only believed a landing could be achieved, but explained how aeronautics and physics said so, too. Marvin Zuckerman has made it his life’s work to study the personalities who live on the edge, and occasionally cross over.

  I would never have had an opportunity to begin this project if not for some folks at the New York Times. They not only consented to my wishes to write about arcane sports, but actually encouraged me. Many at the Times were helpful and kind, but I specifically want to mention Tom Jolly, Jason Stallman, and especially Bob Goetz, who not only saw the early potential in a story of a possible wingsuit landing, but pushed to get it on page one. Bob later read an early draft of the manuscript and provided valuable suggestions. Others who took the time to comment on drafts include Sachin Shenolikar and Nick Friedman.

  For their understanding and support, when this project took me from family obligations, I thank my parents and siblings, Andrew Higgins and Emily O’Connor. My wife, Ann, is my first reader. Her patience and pep talks urged me on. Our wonderful sons, Ryan and Shane, inspire me every day.

  At The Penguin Press, Laura Stickney first saw promise in my proposal. Colin Dickerman kept the fires burning for two years. Every page has benefited from the influence of Ben Platt, whose editing is as strong and concise as his name. I also want to thank Will Palmer for s
moothing my copy and nailing down facts, and Ann Godoff for her support.

  Special thanks are reserved for Todd Shuster, my agent extraordinaire at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth. Todd is a writer’s best friend. He believed in me and the book before I knew I had anything worth writing about. He and Rachel Sussman taught me to craft a proposal, and Todd steered me through the publishing process. During the writing of Bird Dream, Todd’s wise counsel encouraged me to push past obstacles. Performing his job with consummate poise, Todd occasionally made me laugh when I badly needed to.

  NOTES

  Everything in the book, from events to dialogue and other details, were either what I saw or heard myself or were told to me directly by people who saw or heard them, or were recorded somewhere, on video or in writing. Most details were corroborated by multiple sources. Nothing was made up.

  Interviews with Jeb Corliss, Gary Connery, and many others numbered in the hundreds, and in the interest of keeping the notes as concise as possible, they are not cited; nor are well-established or uncontroversial facts.

  This book benefited from the outstanding research of other authors. Some of the books I’ve relied on for the history, characters, and technical aspects of BASE jumping include The Great Book of BASE by Matt Gerdes and Confessions of an Idiot by Christopher McDougall. Michael Abrams has written a thoroughly researched and humorous history of wingsuits, Birdmen, Batmen, and Skyflyers, which was very helpful. Two books assisted greatly with understanding the neurochemical and psychological components of fear: Transcending Fear by Brian Germain and Extreme Fear: The Science of Your Mind in Danger by Jeff Wise.

  Abbreviations

  AP: The Associated Press

  BBS: Birdmen, Batmen, and Skyflyers

  GBB: The Great Book of BASE

  NYDN: New York Daily News

  NYT: New York Times

  INTRODUCTION

  Most of the material in this section was drawn from my firsthand observations and interviews while in Switzerland, July 2011.

  “Who are these”: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991), p. 949, Old Testament.

  Jeb’s Iconic Jumps (Jeb had plunged): A 10:00 compilation video from 2003 titled A Year in the Life, 2003; The Ground Is the Limit, 2005 documentary film by Iiro Seppänen.

  Hinderrugg: The official spelling of the mountain, in English, according to the official Web site of Switzerland Tourism is “Hinterrugg,” http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/hinterrugg-the-highest-of-the-seven-churfirsten-peaks.html.

  20/20: “Superhumans: Bird Man,” ABC 20/20, July 22, 2011, a segment produced by Marc Dorian about Jeb’s July 16, 2011, flight at the Crack, http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/corliss-jeb-fly-bird-birdman-wings-super-2020-14140045.

  Wingsuits: “Can We Fly?,” Nancy Shute, National Geographic, September 2011 cover story; BBS by Michael Abrams (New York: Three River Press, 2006), pp. 3–10.

  high-rise hotels: A Year in the Life 2003, The Ground Is the Limit, 2005, a documentary film by Iiro, Seppänen.

  Empire State Building: “Been There, Leaped Off That,” Bill Hutchinson, NYDN, April 28, 2006, http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/leaped-article-1.638131; “Cops Stop Fall Guy. Foil Empire State Jumper,” Celeste Katz, Oren Yaniv, and Leo Standora, NYDN, April 28, 2006, http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/cops-stop-fall-guy-foil-empire-state-jumper-article-1.606079; “Metro Briefing, New York: Manhattan: Parachute Attempt Stopped,” Karim Fahim, NYT, April 28, 2006, (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E5DD103FF93BA15757C0A9609C8B63.

  without using a parachute: GoFast Sports & Beverage Company press release, announcing plans to land a wingsuit, November 23, 2004, http://www.zoominfo.com/#!search/profile/person?personId=139317216&targetid=profile; “Flying Humans, Hoping to Land with No Chute,” Matt Higgins, NYT, December 10, 2007, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/sports/othersports/10flying.html?ex=1354942800&en=fa831ea44c1a5ff7&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss; “The Aerialist,” Outside magazine, July 2011, 80; BBS, Abrams, pp. 268–75.

  “We laugh”: Jean Potvin, telephone interview, October 2007.

  “Anything’s possible”: Roy Haggard, telephone interview, October 2007.

  “not possible”: Jeb Corliss, telephone interview, November 2007.

  viral: “Grinding the Crack,” Gian Autenrieth, ed., which can be viewed at YouTube.com, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWfph3iNC-k.

  Byron: “Lake Geneva as Shelley and Byron Knew It,” Tony Perottet, NYT, May 27, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/travel/lake-geneva-as-byron-and-shelley-knew-it.html?pagewanted=all.

  thirty-five Swiss francs: Hotel Horner website, http://www.hornerpub.ch/Neue%20Seiteeeee/neue_seite_1eeeee_Hotel.htm.

  where jumpers go to die: Ursula Nolan interview, July 2011.

  seven jumpers were killed: Dr. Bruno Durrer interview, July 2011; Swiss BASE Association, Lauterbrunnen BASE Fatality List, http://www.basejumper.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26.

  “Reckless”: “Reckless Jumpers Annoy Valley Dwellers,” Von Bruno Petroni, Berner Zeitung, Christopher Cotter, tr., http://www.bernerzeitung.ch/region/thun/ Ruecksichtslose-Jumper-aergern-Talbewohner-/story/28221050; “Village Appalled by Thrill Seekers’ Deaths,” Lukas Eberle, Der Spiegel, http://www.spiegel.de/ international/europe/base-jumping-in-switzerland-village-appalled-by-thrill -seekers-deaths-a-784896-2.html.

  High Nose: Swiss BASE Association, http://www.basejumper.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=58.

  Seven Summits: Jobyogwyn.com, http://www.jobyogwyn.com/about/ and http://www.prweb.com/releases/wingsuit/everest/prweb5255324.htm.

  Adventure Wanted: http://natgeotv.com/me/adventure-wanted/about.

  fifteen-second plunge: Swiss BASE Association, http://www.basejumper.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=58.

  Depression, a heyday: BBS, Abrams, 39–109.

  memoir: Confessions of an Idiot, Chris “Douggs” McDougall (Base Dreams, 2009).

  Red Bull Air Force: Redbullairforce.com, http://redbullairforce.com/pilots.

  CHAPTER 1: BEGINNINGS . . .

  For centuries: “A Brief History of the Parachute,” Byron Kerman, Popular Mechanics.com, http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/safety/a-brief-history-of-the-parachute#slide-1; Parachuting: The Skydiver’s Handbook, Dan Poynter and Mike Turoff (Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing, 2007), pp. 85–92.

  Frederick R. Law: “‘Hero’ Leaps Off Bridge,” NYT, February 17, 1912, http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F20612F63C5813738DDDAE0994DA405B828DF1D3; “Parachute Leap Off Statue of Liberty,” NYT, February 3, 1912, http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F40916FB3C5813738DDDAA0894DA405B828DF1D3; “Wall Street Sees a 500-Foot Leap,” NYT, April 9, 1912, http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F70D14F73F5813738DDDA00894DC405B828DF1D3; “Leap Year 1912,” Lisa Ritter, Parachutist, February 2012.

  Mike Pelkey: “Skydivers Leap Off El Capitan,” Los Angeles Times, July 26, 1966; “Base Jumping Pioneer Falls to His Death,” United Press International, October 23, 2006, http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2006/10/23/Base-jumping-pioneer-falls-to-his-death/UPI-75451161621501/; “Someone You Should Know . . . 15 Questions with Mike Pelkey,” Cynthia Lynn, basejumper.com, http://www.basejumper.com/Articles/Interviews_and_Profiles/Someone_You_Should_Know . . . 15_Questions_with . . ._Michael_Pelkey_868.html; “Mike Pelkey: El Capitan BASE Jump 1966,” Mike Pelkey, basejumper.com, June 18, 2007, http://www.basejumper.com/Articles/Stories/Mike_Pelkey_El_Capitan_BASE_jump_1966_771.html.

  the name BASE: GBB, Gerdes, pp. 164–77; interviews in Augest 2011 with Nick DiGiovanni, Anne Helliwell, and July 2011 with Todd Shoebotham; “Who Needs an Airplane?,” Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, August 26, 1985, http://sportsillus trated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119795/1/index.htm; “The Acronym,” Nick DiGiovanni, basejumper.com, June 19, 2007, http://www.basejumper.com/Articles/Stories/The_Acronym_786.html; “Know Your BASE Jum
ping History,” Nick DiGiovanni, apexbase.com, https://www.apexbase.com/base-jumping-history-by-nick-di-giovanni; “Stars: The 2012 National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame Inductees,” Parachutist, August 2012, p. 63; “BASE Jumping: How It Began,” Nick DiGiovanni, officialbridgeday.com, http://officialbridgeday.com/bridge-blog/tag/nick-digiovanni/; “BASE Jumpers Fall for Thrill-Seeking Lifestyle,” Cynthia Dizikes, Chicago Tribune, April 22, 2011, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-22/news/ct-met-basejumping-20110421_1_base-jumpers-thrill-arrest; “Dropping in the Series,” Stephen Kiesling, Sports Illustrated, October 9, 1989, http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068903/1/index.htm; “Twin Tower Parachuter,” C. J. Sullivan, New York Press, June 4, 2002, http://nypress.com/twin-tower-parachuter/; “BASE Jumping Historical Time Line,” Blinc Magazine, http://www.blincmagazine.com/forum/wiki/Timeline.

  rain falls annually: The Weather Channel, Average Monthly Averages for Perris, CA, http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/92570.

  burnt-out lawns: “California Town to Spray-Paint Lawn Bald Spots,” AP, March 18, 2009, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/29759735/#.Upzy0if-Xwg.

  parachute: “How a Parachute Works,” United States Parachute Association.

  “gear”: GBB, Gerdes, pp. 62–75.

  Basic Research: GBB, p. 167.

  Bridge Day: Officialbridgeday.com, http://www.officialbridgeday.com/bridge-day-history-facts.

  X Games: The Insider’s Guide to Action Sports, Matt Higgins (New York: Scholastic Reference, 2006).