Skydiving with the Outdoors Program - Jamie Brown - 2/22/2023
I recently had the opportunity to go skydiving with the Oregon Tech Outdoor Program and make one of my dreams a reality. This adventure took me to Skydance Skydiving in Davis, California.
It was already pretty late when I arrived in Davis the night before the jump. The facility provides a small campground so that nobody is late in the morning, and it is here where the adventure begins.
Once you park, you have to check in, but as soon as you’ve done that you are free to have fun and explore. Some people were in a field playing games, some were relaxing by the fire pit, and others decided to go to sleep early.
I decided to hang out at the fire pit for an hour or two where I got to get to know some other students, some of the instructors, and some regular visitors. It was crazy to realize that just like everyone else they have a hobby that they do every weekend, but their hobby just happens to be jumping out of planes. Most of them were just average people who work an 8-5 job, not just adrenaline junkies.
Waking up the next morning is probably the worst part of the trip because you have to get up super early and the entire time you are feeling incredibly nervous, scared, and excited. Breakfast was provided by the Outdoor Program, but some people decided eating wasn’t the best idea.
Soon, names start being called to go do a final check-in before suiting up and a quick safety briefing. You are ushered into a room where an instructor will teach you how the parachute works and what you’re going to expect. This is also the best time to ask questions and see just how adventurous you can get. While sitting in that room it is hard to pay attention because you are feeling every emotion you’ve every felt before, but now it’s time. You see the excitement on everyone’s face, including the instructor. Then you are released again.
Not long after the briefing the first group was called up. They got suited up and heard more of the same information as before just to make sure it sticks. They then walked out to the runway where they boarded the plane and took off.
I was in the second group to go up and as we climbed into the sky, we could look out the window and see the first group falling. That for me was the most nerve-wracking experience because I knew that would be me in about five minutes.
As you are reaching altitude, your instructor will attach you to them without you even really noticing they will then help you put on your goggles, and then the door opens.
They start inching you closer and closer to the door until they have you hanging out of it. This is the part that they said would be the scariest, but then you fall. The moment that there is no longer contact with the plane was the scariest part for me. For a couple of seconds, you are in complete free-fall, spinning and flipping until the instructor get you both under control and pulls the first parachute to stabilize you. This all happened in about three seconds.
Once you are in control, you feel like you are in a state of bliss. You are falling but are in control, all you hear is the wind, and you get to look out at the great views and beautiful colors. I was only falling for about a minute before it was time to pull the parachute. Once it is time to pull the parachute, the instructor will guide your hand and have you pull it. Be prepared for a sudden jolt because it slows you down very quickly.
After that you are just floating back to the ground, and if you have a cool instructor like mine they will let you steer and do spins if you want. This part was also very peaceful, and the adrenaline rush starts to wear off. Now that you are floating down you can see the world more clearly and process what you just did.
As you get closer to the ground, your instructor will start preparing to land. They will do some maneuvers while telling you how to prepare yourself. All you need to know is that you need to pick your feet up and that you will be sliding in on your bottom. You might think that you are going a little fast or that it will hurt but you have nothing to worry about because the instructors are incredibly talented and even if the landing would normally hurt, you won’t feel a thing after all the adrenaline you just had.
After landing you head back to the hangar where you will take off your jump suit and receive a certificate that will tell the world that you were crazy enough to jump out of an airplane. You just experienced what most people can only every dream of.
Now that you have landed and received your certificate, I would recommend waiting around and watching others fall from the sky before you try to make the journey home. For me, it didn’t feel real, but I could still relive the experience in my head and react to everything again and again.
It was already pretty late when I arrived in Davis the night before the jump. The facility provides a small campground so that nobody is late in the morning, and it is here where the adventure begins.
Once you park, you have to check in, but as soon as you’ve done that you are free to have fun and explore. Some people were in a field playing games, some were relaxing by the fire pit, and others decided to go to sleep early.
I decided to hang out at the fire pit for an hour or two where I got to get to know some other students, some of the instructors, and some regular visitors. It was crazy to realize that just like everyone else they have a hobby that they do every weekend, but their hobby just happens to be jumping out of planes. Most of them were just average people who work an 8-5 job, not just adrenaline junkies.
Waking up the next morning is probably the worst part of the trip because you have to get up super early and the entire time you are feeling incredibly nervous, scared, and excited. Breakfast was provided by the Outdoor Program, but some people decided eating wasn’t the best idea.
Soon, names start being called to go do a final check-in before suiting up and a quick safety briefing. You are ushered into a room where an instructor will teach you how the parachute works and what you’re going to expect. This is also the best time to ask questions and see just how adventurous you can get. While sitting in that room it is hard to pay attention because you are feeling every emotion you’ve every felt before, but now it’s time. You see the excitement on everyone’s face, including the instructor. Then you are released again.
Not long after the briefing the first group was called up. They got suited up and heard more of the same information as before just to make sure it sticks. They then walked out to the runway where they boarded the plane and took off.
I was in the second group to go up and as we climbed into the sky, we could look out the window and see the first group falling. That for me was the most nerve-wracking experience because I knew that would be me in about five minutes.
As you are reaching altitude, your instructor will attach you to them without you even really noticing they will then help you put on your goggles, and then the door opens.
They start inching you closer and closer to the door until they have you hanging out of it. This is the part that they said would be the scariest, but then you fall. The moment that there is no longer contact with the plane was the scariest part for me. For a couple of seconds, you are in complete free-fall, spinning and flipping until the instructor get you both under control and pulls the first parachute to stabilize you. This all happened in about three seconds.
Once you are in control, you feel like you are in a state of bliss. You are falling but are in control, all you hear is the wind, and you get to look out at the great views and beautiful colors. I was only falling for about a minute before it was time to pull the parachute. Once it is time to pull the parachute, the instructor will guide your hand and have you pull it. Be prepared for a sudden jolt because it slows you down very quickly.
After that you are just floating back to the ground, and if you have a cool instructor like mine they will let you steer and do spins if you want. This part was also very peaceful, and the adrenaline rush starts to wear off. Now that you are floating down you can see the world more clearly and process what you just did.
As you get closer to the ground, your instructor will start preparing to land. They will do some maneuvers while telling you how to prepare yourself. All you need to know is that you need to pick your feet up and that you will be sliding in on your bottom. You might think that you are going a little fast or that it will hurt but you have nothing to worry about because the instructors are incredibly talented and even if the landing would normally hurt, you won’t feel a thing after all the adrenaline you just had.
After landing you head back to the hangar where you will take off your jump suit and receive a certificate that will tell the world that you were crazy enough to jump out of an airplane. You just experienced what most people can only every dream of.
Now that you have landed and received your certificate, I would recommend waiting around and watching others fall from the sky before you try to make the journey home. For me, it didn’t feel real, but I could still relive the experience in my head and react to everything again and again.
TOKETEE FALLS - JAMIE BROWN - 11/ 7/ 2022
I recently had the opportunity to travel to and experience one of the most well-known waterfalls in Oregon: Toketee Falls. This gem can be found in the Umpqua National Forrest just west of Toketee Lake off of highway 138, also known as the highway of waterfalls.
To experience the Toketee Falls, you must go on a short hike to the viewpoint. I went in early spring and could not have asked for a more perfect day. The sun was shining but it was still nice and cool temperatures, there was no wind, and no leftover snow from winter. This made for a perfect day for a hike.
When you reach the trailhead, you start in a small parking lot between forest and a massive wooden pipeline. This pipe is 12 feet in diameter and made out of redwood. This pipeline is there because water is used to make electricity and it helped Douglas County and the regional economy after World War 2. The water flows from less than a mile upstream of the falls to Deer Leap Rock where it powers generators that have enough capacity to hold 45 megawatts of electricity or enough energy to power roughly 22,500 homes. This pipeline can be seen spewing water out of many small holes, which makes for a nice refresher on a hot day if you really need it.
As soon as you start the trail, you can find signs that give a little background and history on the falls. Then you will cross a small bridge into a new world. As soon as you cross this bridge, you are surrounded by massive trees that seem like they are towering hundreds of feet over your head. Everywhere you look there are vibrant colors from the leaves of the trees, the small plants by your knees, and the moss all over the ground and tree trunks.
The hike is perfect for hikers of all levels but especially beginners because there are no parts where the footing is super tricky and while there are elevation changes, most of them are not hills. Some of them are even staircases with railings. There are also plenty of places to rest if you need it. Benches are placed along the trail at some of the more beautiful sceneries, thought every step is a beautiful scenario.
After about half a mile of walking, you will reach the look-out point and have a great view of the falls. You can see what looks to be a two-tiered waterfall coming from a small canyon surrounded by vegetation and rock walls. You will feel like you are in a miniature paradise where everything is peaceful and beautiful. There is green all around and above you, and some of the clearest blue water I have ever seen.
If you arrive at the right time of day, which I found to be about 11:00 am, the sun will shine directly thorough the canyon onto the small lake, creating rays of sunshine from the sky that meet the steam rising from the water.
Some people find themselves right next to the water. There is a broken fence at the look-out point that people are not supposed to go through, but people do anyway. After all, that is where you will find the best views and feel fully emerged with the surrounding scenery. People go down there all the time, and you can see that from the rope that someone attached to help people do the rock climbing more safely. I am not saying to go down there because you aren’t supposed to, but if you do ever find yourself there, it is an experience like no other.
Once you have experienced everything there is to experience at the falls, it is time to head back. The journey back is just as exciting as the way out because you are going a different direction and seeing new things.
This was a great experience that I am glad I got. I would highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys hiking because it is truly like nothing I have ever done before.
To experience the Toketee Falls, you must go on a short hike to the viewpoint. I went in early spring and could not have asked for a more perfect day. The sun was shining but it was still nice and cool temperatures, there was no wind, and no leftover snow from winter. This made for a perfect day for a hike.
When you reach the trailhead, you start in a small parking lot between forest and a massive wooden pipeline. This pipe is 12 feet in diameter and made out of redwood. This pipeline is there because water is used to make electricity and it helped Douglas County and the regional economy after World War 2. The water flows from less than a mile upstream of the falls to Deer Leap Rock where it powers generators that have enough capacity to hold 45 megawatts of electricity or enough energy to power roughly 22,500 homes. This pipeline can be seen spewing water out of many small holes, which makes for a nice refresher on a hot day if you really need it.
As soon as you start the trail, you can find signs that give a little background and history on the falls. Then you will cross a small bridge into a new world. As soon as you cross this bridge, you are surrounded by massive trees that seem like they are towering hundreds of feet over your head. Everywhere you look there are vibrant colors from the leaves of the trees, the small plants by your knees, and the moss all over the ground and tree trunks.
The hike is perfect for hikers of all levels but especially beginners because there are no parts where the footing is super tricky and while there are elevation changes, most of them are not hills. Some of them are even staircases with railings. There are also plenty of places to rest if you need it. Benches are placed along the trail at some of the more beautiful sceneries, thought every step is a beautiful scenario.
After about half a mile of walking, you will reach the look-out point and have a great view of the falls. You can see what looks to be a two-tiered waterfall coming from a small canyon surrounded by vegetation and rock walls. You will feel like you are in a miniature paradise where everything is peaceful and beautiful. There is green all around and above you, and some of the clearest blue water I have ever seen.
If you arrive at the right time of day, which I found to be about 11:00 am, the sun will shine directly thorough the canyon onto the small lake, creating rays of sunshine from the sky that meet the steam rising from the water.
Some people find themselves right next to the water. There is a broken fence at the look-out point that people are not supposed to go through, but people do anyway. After all, that is where you will find the best views and feel fully emerged with the surrounding scenery. People go down there all the time, and you can see that from the rope that someone attached to help people do the rock climbing more safely. I am not saying to go down there because you aren’t supposed to, but if you do ever find yourself there, it is an experience like no other.
Once you have experienced everything there is to experience at the falls, it is time to head back. The journey back is just as exciting as the way out because you are going a different direction and seeing new things.
This was a great experience that I am glad I got. I would highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys hiking because it is truly like nothing I have ever done before.
Proudly powered by Weebly