Has Anyone Ever BASE Jumped From Mount Everest?
In the world of adventure sports, BASE jumping is perhaps one of the most extreme and adrenaline-pumping activities. Standing for Buildings, Antennas, Spans (bridges), and Earth (cliffs), BASE jumps involve jumping from fixed structures or cliffs with a parachute. One destination that comes to mind when we talk about BASE jumping from cliffs is the highest point on Earth-Mount Everest.
The Allure of Mount Everest
The first known summit of Mount Everest was by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Since then, over 5,000 different climbers have reached the top. Base jumping from this peak has been the dream and ultimate challenge for many extreme adventurers. The height of Mount Everest makes it an alluring platform for BASE jumpers – standing at an elevation of 8,848.86 metres, or 29,031.7 feet.
Is it Possible to BASE Jump from Mount Everest?
Theoretically, BASE jumping from Mount Everest should be possible, especially since we’ve witnessed skydives from heights exceeding Everest. However, the practice and execution of such an act involve countless variables that need to be considered.
The First BASE Jump from Mount Everest
In May 2006, the world saw its first and only successful BASE jump from Mount Everest, conducted by Valery Rozov, a Russian extreme sport star. Rozov had to battle severe challenges – high winds, lack of oxygen, not to mention the extremely cold and unpredictable weather. Rozov spent over two years preparing for the jump, including specially designing a new wingsuit. He successfully launched from an elevation of 7,220 meters, considerably lower than the tip but still higher than any other BASE jump ever attempted.
The Challenges of BASE Jumping from Mount Everest
BASE jumping from Mount Everest is not as straightforward as dropping off a plane or a building. The intense altitude affects the body’s perception, making it difficult to judge distances and spaces. The thin air at these elevations also means a slower parachute deployment and a potentially faster and harder landing. In addition to this, there’s also a severe lack of helicopter rescue services in the region, so a safe landing is absolutely critical.
FAQs
1. Have Many People Attempted BASE Jumping from Mount Everest Since Valery Rozov?
There are no known attempts made by anyone to BASE jump from Mount Everest following Rozov’s successful jump. The inherent risk and the complexities involved have deterred adventure seekers from attempting it.
2. Is BASE Jumping Legal in Everest?
BASE jumping is not legal in Nepal without permission. Those planning such an act would have to procure special permissions from various authorities, making it a complex process.
3. Has Anyone Died While Attempting BASE Jump from Mount Everest?
No known fatalities have occurred from BASE jumping attempts at Mount Everest. Valery Rozov, however, sadly died in 2017 while BASE jumping in the Himalayas.
4. Can a Novice Attempt a BASE Jump from Mount Everest?
BASE jumping from Mount Everest is not recommended for amateurs. It requires tremendous skill, extreme physical fitness, and thorough preparation to attempt such a feat. Even seasoned professionals consider it risky due to the multitude of variables involved.
5. What are the Alternatives for Adrenaline Junkies who can’t BASE Jump from Mount Everest?
Those unable to BASE jump from Mount Everest can consider alternative activities that are challenging yet thrilling, such as paragliding in the Annapurna range, bungee jumping in Last Resort, or white-water rafting in Bhote Koshi River.