We found that the weekend we were staying in Beckley, WV – the annual New River Gorge Bridge Day - was happening, Saturday October 21st. Mike researched the details of attending and I was intrigued about base jumping (I confused it with bungee jumping until Mike explained the difference). The event was scheduled on the New River Gorge bridge in Fayetteville, WV for that Saturday from 8am-3pm. Thankfully the weather was absolutely gorgeous. We arrived around noon, and already there was a huge crowd. As we walked over to the bridge, you could hear the cheers from the crowd as people leapt off. The scenery around the bridge was beautiful, we even noticed a river rafting group underneath the jumpers.
Upon getting closer, I became terrified for these poor souls, but I soon realized the adrenaline rush must be amazing. They even had a contraption called, “The Rastapult” a catapult that flung you into the air. We were standing next to it one of the times it went off, and I shrieked as I watched this guy be flung 10-15ft from the bridge. Jumpers were doing flips, jumping tandem, and even waiting until everyone on the bridge screaming, “Pull the cord!!!” to produce their parachutes. Thankfully no one “bought it” and there were powerboats below them in the water to grab any jumpers who didn’t make it to the target on the shore. It was phenomenal!
Mike was snapping photos with abandon and a tight grip as he leaned over the railing. I didn’t take any photos, I have a slight fear of heights, and a slight terror about losing my phone over the edge. Take a look:
And here are some landings:
Check out these videos Mike took of a few of the jumps:
We had a blast!
