Imagine standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim at 8am on a Tuesday, the vast expanse stretching out before you. You are about to take that adrenaline-fueled leap, a BASE jump that promises the ultimate thrill. Justin Guthrie, a 43-year-old man from Saint Anne, Missouri, had a quest for adventure that turned into a cautionary tale for many young folks trying to go viral on social media.

What is BASE Jumping?

BASE jumping is the recreational sport of jumping from fixed objects, using a parachute to descend to the ground. BASE is an acronym that stands for four categories of fixed objects from which one can jump: buildings, antennas, spans and earth

Justin Guthrie’s ill-fated jump earlier in August wasn’t just a leap of faith; it was a stark reminder that nature’s beauty can be deceptive. BASE jumping, the extreme sport where participants jump from fixed objects and use a parachute to break their fall, is not for the faint-hearted. BASE Jumping is not something you do on a whim, especially not in the Grand Canyon, where the terrain is extremely tricky even to the most savvy of BASE jumpers.

Tom Aiello, a leading BASE instructor and the owner of Snake River BASE Academy, has weighed in, and his insights are a wake-up call to anyone who might consider following in Guthrie’s footsteps. Aiello, with 20 years of teaching experience, knows the ropes better than anyone. His take? Yavapai Point, where Guthrie jumped, is no place for a BASE jump. It’s not an “exit point,” a term used by the BASE community for safe jump sites. The cliff is underhung, the landing area is virtually non-existent, and summer heat brings turbulence that only adds to the danger.

Why is BASE Jumping in the Grand Canyon So Risky?

A spot like Yavapai Point in Grand Canyon It’s all about the technicalities. Exit points are carefully selected for their height and structure, ensuring a safe jump and parachute deployment. The international BASE community, a tight-knit group of thrill seeking individuals, understands the importance of these details. They typically start with a solid foundation in skydiving, honing their freefall and canopy skills before even thinking about a BASE jump.

There’s no official BASE jumping license (much like recreational boating), which means that anyone can pack a rig and jump. Most instructors and gear retailers require proof of those canopy skills. Skydive Mag recommends at least 150-200 skydives and a skydiving license before making that first BASE jump. The USPA, skydiving’s governing body, keeps an online record of everyone who’s completed the prerequisite training. Guthrie was not on that list.

Brief History of BASE Jumping

­Modern base jumping was invented by Carl Boenish in 1978. He became convinced that modern skydiving equipment could allow for a safe jump off El Capitan. After several scouting trips, Carl and four friends hiked to the top and Carl filmed the four of them jumping. Everyone landed safely. Shortly after that, Carl and several other BASE pioneers came up with the BASE acronym for this kind of jumping — an early alternate idea was BEST jumping (Bridge, Earth, Span, Tower)

Despite the risks and the renegade history of the sport, some still sidestep the safety recommendations. Aiello shared with Outside that DIY-style first-time BASE jumps are on the rise, leading to tragic outcomes. Just last year, a 17-year-old with no experience took a leap off Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan. The aftermath? A deleted Reddit post, a tangled canopy on a GoPro helmet cam, and a community in disbelief at the reckless gamble with life.

A BASE jump from the Grand Canyon isn’t beginner’s luck; it demands intermediate-level skills. New jumpers start with tall bridges, like the 486-foot Perrine Bridge or the 410-foot Limska Draga, where open air is the only concern. Earth jumps come later, at places like Italy’s Becco dell’Aquila. Only after hundreds of successful jumps would a BASE jumper dare to face the Grand Canyon’s challenging “big wall.”

Let’s not forget the legality of it all. BASE jumping in National Parks is illegal without a permit. But for Aiello and many others, it’s not just about the law; it’s about the physical possibility of a successful jump. The Grand Canyon has a long history of BASE jumping, with established exit points both inside and outside the park boundaries. Pioneers like Jonathan Bowlin and stuntmen like Miles Daisher have turned it into a dream destination for base jumpers.

For Justin Guthrie, however, that dream turned into a nightmare. The National Park Service is still piecing together what happened, unable to comment on Guthrie’s gear or experience. Aiello hopes this tragedy doesn’t attract inexperienced jumpers but instead serves as a stark reminder: BASE is not a do-it-yourself sport. The increased availability of gear and online tutorials can’t replace real-world experience and training.

So what’s the takeaway from Guthrie’s story? It’s a sobering reality that in BASE jumping, as in life, shortcuts can lead to dead ends. The Grand Canyon’s allure is undeniable, but it demands respect. As Aiello puts it, you wouldn’t try to free-solo climb a 5.14 route without the skills, because you can’t do it.
The same goes for BASE jumping.

This tale of adventure turned tragedy is a reminder to us all: respect the journey, respect the training, and most importantly, respect the power of nature. Justin Guthrie’s story may be a sad one, but let it be a lesson to all who seek the thrill of the jump. The Grand Canyon will always be there, but only those who are truly prepared should ever consider taking that leap.

Cuidado Grasshopper, Cuidado.

 

Thank You For Reading the Best Men’s Lifestyle Blog!

 

 

 

You Might Also Like

How to Dress for Your Body Shape

Where To Find Single Women – Part Two

Getting In Shape Starts At The Grocery Store