The New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville, WV is the highest bridge east of the Mississippi. With a roadbed of 3,030 feet it is the world’s longest single-arch steel bridge and is 876 feet above the New River. (That’s 325 feet higher than the Washington Monument) Its construction was a ten-year project and before the bridge was opened to vehicular traffic in October of 1977, for one day, people were allowed to walk across the bridge. Many people wanted to walk it again so the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce made "Bridge Day" an annual event...held on the third Saturday of October every year.
Bridge Day is the largest BASE jumping event in the world, held on the third Saturday in October every year in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Over 450 BASE jumpers and up to 250,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s Bridge Day on Saturday, October 16, 2004. The New River Gorge Bridge is the world’s 2nd longest single arch bridge, providing the launch point for six hours (9am-3pm EST) of legal, safe BASE jumps. Jumpers from all over the world will be lined up to take their turn leaping from the 876’ tall New River Gorge Bridge. Although 876 feet is extremely high (you could stack the Statue of Liberty twice and the Washington Monument beneath it) it is a quick 8 seconds from the bridge to the water of the New River. Most will fall from the bridge for 3-4 seconds before deploying their parachute. Then they’ll spend the next 20-30 seconds floating down to the designated landing zone located at the water’s edge.
"BASE" is an acronym which stands for the four categories of objects from which one can jump – Building, Antenna, Span (the word used for a bridge), and Earth (the word used for a cliff.) BASE Jumping is known as being the world's most extreme sport. Bridge Day is the largest extreme sports event in the world, and is West Virginia’s largest one-day festival, rated one of the top 100 in North America. The festival is unique in that it is the only day visitors may walk across the bridge, BASE jumpers can parachute from the railing and rappellers are allowed to descend and ascend fixed ropes. Vendors line both ends of the bridge selling crafts, shirts, photos, souvenirs and refreshments.
Making a return this year will be the popular 16’ commercial aluminum diving board, first introduced last year. “Last year, I finally got the chance to make a BASE jump by springing myself over the edge like an Olympic diver. I was pretty nervous, much more than a normal BASE jump,but it is a jump I’ll always remember,”says Jason Bell. BASE jumping aerialists from countries as far away as Australia and Russia will again travel to Fayetteville, WV, to amaze the spectators with multiple flips and twists before they deploy their one and only parachute. The Vertical Visions team also plans to have a landing accuracy contest with cash prizes, a BASE jumping video festival, and some special jumps that should make for an exciting Bridge Day 2004 for both jumpers and spectators.
BASE Jumping Through the Years
BASE jumpers have jumped from the New River Gorge Bridge every year since the first Bridge Day on November 8, 1980 (the only exception being the cancellation of Bridge Day 2001 shortly after 9/11). The first Bridge Day saw five skydivers making BASE jumps from the bridge in the early days of the sport of BASE jumping. Over the years, Bridge Day became the place for thousands of skydivers to make their first BASE jump. It is also the largest gathering of BASE jumpers each year, complete with first jump seminars, packing classes, a BASE gear trade show, and a film festival.
BASE Jumping Registration Information
All BASE jumping activities at Bridge Day 2004 will be coordinated by Vertical Visions LLC, owned by West Virginia BASE jumper and skydiver Jason Bell (BASE #428, D-16725), assisted by his wife Jennifer, Charleston native Bill Bird (D-6977), and over 50 staff members.
For the brave, the number to call to register to jump is:
(707) 793-2297
