Author works for Base Camp.
Sam Cook, WCU student and Base Camp Cullowhee staff, will not forget this Halloween adventure. Photo by
“We have a problem,” said my instructor, Peanut, with no trace of panic in his voice.
We had just opened up the parachute, and before he said this I was just screaming in excitement. Before I knew it, we were free falling …again. I was still clueless and continued screaming until I realized that this was not supposed to happen. The second parachute opened up, and I noticed it was orange and white, the color of the emergency parachute that he told us all originally to never touch.
Peanut gave me some gadgets to hold and said, “Don’t let go!” Suddenly I was terrified. I went from excited kid jumping out of a plane and screaming in joy and laughter to a deer in the headlights who knows he’s about to die.
And that was my pre-Halloween scare. And I’d do it again!
This was my adventure on the WCU Base Camp skydiving trip in Chester, South Carolina on Oct. 27.
Overall the trip was a success, and 10 students had a blast on their first experience skydiving from 14,000 ft.
“It was an absolutely fantastic experience. The instructors were true professionals and I felt strangely at ease despite the adrenaline rushed experience. I would recommend it to anybody,” said Joseph Davis, student at Western Carolina.
WCU student Mason Janusik skydiving from 14,000 ft. Photo by Carolina Skydive.
Zach Heese saw Peanut and I free falling for the second time.
“I was so in my moment to even worry about the fact that I was watching Sam dying. I figured it would be fine, and it was. I had so much trust in everyone,” said Heese.
Once we all landed on the ground, which was a surprisingly soft landing, Peanut explained how the second release button for our parachute did not release, so we had to ditch the parachute mid-air. Apparently, that is dangerous, and does not happen often. Since Peanut was so calm throughout the whole three minute fall and extra 10-15 second free fall I didn’t really have the time to panic more than I did.
All of the instructors from Skydive Carolina are experienced and know what they are doing, which makes for a fantastic and safe experience.
“I loved the free fall and will definitely be going skydiving again in the spring,” said Mason Janusik, WCU student.
Regardless of the scary Halloween surprise of a second free fall, I had an incredible experience and got two free falls for the price of one.
The trip was $215 for students, and includes transportation, camping, food, and one tandem skydiving jump. If you want to skydive solo, you will have to do that on your own time because you need training to do so. For tandem skydiving, the instructors give you a suit, helmet, and gloves to wear, tell you how to exit the plane and land, and before you know it you are on the plane preparing to jump. It is not stressful because the instructors do everything for you. Whether you have been skydiving before or not, you are welcome to sign up for an unforgettable experience.
Watch the clip below to see Base Camp’s skydiving adventure!
Base Camp will have another skydiving trip in the Spring 2016.
