FLY Documentary Film Special | | National Geographic

Key Concepts

• BASE jumping as a deliberate engagement with lethal risk for mastery, joy, and a profound sense of freedom.
• The tight-knit, supportive, and grief-sharing community built around shared passion and danger.
• The inherent, accepted, and often sought-after mortality and high stakes of the sport.
• The evolution of safety measures and techniques, alongside the constant potential for tragedy.
• Personal journeys of passion, love, loss, and the struggle to balance extreme sport with conventional life and parenthood.
• The addictive nature of the experience and the unique worldview of jumpers.
• Acceptance of mortality as a core philosophical tenet within the community.

The Allure and Philosophy of BASE Jumping

The documentary opens by establishing the inherent danger of BASE jumping with the historical anecdote of Franz Reichelt’s fatal parachute test from the Eiffel Tower. It posits that BASE jumping is not merely thrill-seeking, but a deliberate engagement with risk to achieve a profound sense of mastery and joy. Jumpers actively seek lethal situations, deriving satisfaction from successfully navigating them, framing it as a pursuit of dreams and a rejection of conventional life. Many jumpers feel like “foreign species” to those prioritizing safety, highlighting a fundamental difference in worldview. The experience is described as “therapeutic,” with one jumper stating, “BASE jumpers would not jump off a mountain if there was zero risk.” This pursuit is addictive, leading to a constant craving for the “absolute bliss” felt during a jump, where “there's nothing else that exists in the world.”

Community, Culture, and Shared Experience

A tight-knit community, forged by shared risk and passion, is central to the sport. Events like the Turkey Boogie foster camaraderie and knowledge sharing. The sport has evolved from a clandestine activity, where jumpers were considered “criminals,” to a more accepted, though still dangerous, athletic pursuit. This community is supportive, with experienced jumpers mentoring newcomers and a strong emphasis on shared responsibility for safety. However, it also grapples with “survivor’s guilt” and the frequent loss of fellow jumpers. An annual event, organized by Jimmy and his friends, serves as a celebration of life, honoring both those still jumping and those who have died, providing a space for remembrance, support, and a reaffirmation of their shared passion.

Risks, Safety, and the Acceptance of Mortality

The inherent dangers of BASE jumping are repeatedly emphasized, with jumpers acknowledging the potential for fatal consequences and the importance of meticulous planning and execution. Safety measures have progressed from early days using only skydiving gear to specialized wingsuits and techniques. However, increased popularity does not equate to increased safety, and complacency is cautioned against. The community implicitly acknowledges the high mortality rate. A recurring theme is the acceptance of mortality; Jimmy Pouchert, a central figure, had contemplated his own death and requested that his passing not deter others. His partner, Marta, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the acceptance of inherent risk and avoiding excessive sorrow for someone who lived life on their own terms. As one jumper reflected on Jimmy's death, "It doesn't make much sense. Like, it doesn't really any sense. So I just kind of reflect that back on myself to be like, hey, I mean, got a lot of commitments. Going in would really fuck that up."

Personal Journeys and the Balance of Life

The documentary interweaves several personal narratives:

• Jimmy Pouchert & Marta Empinotti: Their story details their journey into the sport, their eventual marriage, and their establishment of Vertigo BASE Outfitters. Marta served as Jimmy’s instructor, and their relationship exemplified mutual understanding and acceptance of each other’s high-risk passions.
• Scotty Bob: His story highlights pushing boundaries, embracing risk, and a relentless pursuit of challenging jumps, with a foreshadowing of future tragedy.
• Espen Fadnes: His journey from climbing to BASE jumping, rooted in his upbringing in the mountains, is explored, alongside his relationship with Amber. He demonstrates the impulsive nature of the sport, stating, “I have not had time to think about the jump. And just now, I got that little, 'Whoo!' thinking about doing a gainer.”
• Amber Forte: Her journey is one of transformation from a conventional life to one defined by BASE jumping. She sustains severe injuries, including a broken femur and dislocated spine, from a jump, describing her recovery: “It's a weird feeling to put so much strain on your back when you know that it's just held together by metal.” Later, her pregnancy introduces a significant conflict between her passion and the responsibility of motherhood. She wrestles with anxieties about continuing to jump, the impact on her relationship, and questioning her priorities, finding pregnancy-safe activities unfulfilling. She articulates the inherent selfishness of the sport: “It's one of the most selfish sports out there, entirely selfish, you know? But when you decide to create another life and have a child, then that's just--that's another choice and decision. You have to own it.”

The community then grapples with the profound loss of Jimmy Pouchert, who dies during a wingsuit BASE jump. The segment provides a detailed account of his final jump, including radio communication and the immediate aftermath, serving as a stark reminder of the sport's dangers. Marta shares her immediate reaction and past experiences with loss, emphasizing acceptance. Following a year-long hiatus, Amber successfully completes a jump, symbolizing her continued connection to the sport and her ability to balance her passion with her new role as a mother.

Technical Aspects & Terminology

• BASE Jumping: An acronym for Building, Antenna, Span, and Earth – the four fixed objects from which jumpers launch.
• Wingsuit BASE Jumping: A more advanced form utilizing a specialized suit that creates lift, allowing for extended flight and proximity flying.
• Proximity Flying (Proxy Flight): Flying a wingsuit extremely close to terrain.
• Exit Point: The specific location on a BASE jumping object from which a jumper launches.
• Canopy: The parachute used to slow descent.
• Terminal Decision: A decision made during a jump that could result in death.
• Muppet: Slang for a particularly challenging or dangerous jump.
• Pilot Chute: A small parachute used to deploy the main parachute.
• Landing Area: The designated zone for safe parachute landings.

Key Quotes

• “BASE jumpers would not jump off a mountain if there was zero risk.”
• “We are deliberately putting ourself in a lethal situation. And then we try to solve it. And when we elegantly, within the plan, solve it, we feel enormous joy and mastery.”
• “There's this feeling-- when you left the object, there's nothing else that exists in the world.”
• “I don't want to ruin this. I want to be back here next year.” – Jimmy Pouchert
• “I have not had time to think about the jump. And just now, I got that little, 'Whoo!' thinking about doing a gainer.” – Espen Fadnes
• “It's a weird feeling to put so much strain on your back when you know that it's just held together by metal.” – Amber Forte
• “Don't feel too sorry for me. I have lived my life exactly how I wanted to live it. And if I happen to die BASE jumping, I realize that that is one of the consequences. So don't feel sorry for me. Just be happy that I lived my life how I wanted to live it.” – Marta
• “It's one of the most selfish sports out there, entirely selfish, you know? But when you decide to create another life and have a child, then that's just--that's another choice and decision. You have to own it.” – Amber
• “I want to live every day, all day, as hard as I can. And we party hard and we love hard and we jump hard because we're reminded way too often that it can end like that.”

Conclusion

BASE jumping is portrayed as a high-stakes pursuit driven by a unique psychology of mastery over inherent risk, fostering a deep and supportive community bond. It forces individuals to confront mortality and make profound choices about how to live, especially when faced with life-altering events like severe injury, the loss of loved ones, and the responsibilities of parenthood. The sport, while inherently selfish in its pursuit of individual freedom and extreme experiences, is balanced by the unwavering support and shared understanding within its community, ultimately celebrating a life lived fully and passionately despite its inherent fragility and unpredictable nature.