Outposts looks back at 2010: Unusual news

With the year ending, it is worth looking back at memorable posts of 2010. Each day this week through Friday, Outposts will recount some of the records broken, the achievements reached, the notable passings and the downright unusual during 2010 in the outdoors, action and adventure world.

Toddler using Barbie fishing pole lands 20-lb. muskie

Two-year-old Ella Haag was fishing with her grandparents at Round Lake near Randall, Minn., on May 15 when she landed her first fish, using her pink Barbie fishing pole.

Her grandfather grabbed a net and soon they pulled in a 30-inch muskie weighing in at a little under 20 pounds -- a fish bigger than the angler who caught it.

Screen grab: Fox 9 News Minnesota video

 

American adventurer crosses English Channel using helium balloons and a chair

In a stunt definitely from the "don't try this at home" category, American adventurer Jonathan Trappe crossed the English Channel on May 28 in a chair attached to a cluster of helium balloons, touching down safely in a French field.

When asked what had inspired him to make the journey, Trappe replied, "Didn't you have this dream, grabbing onto a bunch of toy balloons and floating off?"

Photo: Gareth Fuller / Associated Press

 

Wingsuit base-jumping video well worth watching

This video, on YouTube since June, is awesome to watch. The wingsuit base-jumper displays some daring moves as he navigates cliffs and mountaintops before opening his parachute.

One thing I keep wondering is: How does one test such a suit to make sure it works as intended before jumping?

Screen grab: YouTube.com/JokkeSommer

Wingsuit base-jumping video well worth watching

The above video was sent to my attention recently. Although it's been on YouTube since June, it's still awesome to watch.

Makes me wish I knew more both about the wingsuit and the man wearing it. He certainly displays some daring moves as he navigates cliffs and mountaintops before opening his parachute.

One thing I keep wondering is: How does one test such a suit to make sure it works as intended before jumping?

Hope that Outposts readers enjoy watching this as much as I did!

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Credit: YouTube.com/JokkeSommer

Skydiver survives 3,000 foot plunge after parachute tangles

A skydiver must have had her guardian angel jumping with her, surviving after plummeting 3,000 feet to the ground when her parachute failed to deploy properly.

The Sun reports that Lareece Butler, 26, escaped with a broken leg, concussion and bruises after plunging to the Earth as her boyfriend watched from the ground in horror.

Butler was on a training course at EP Skydivers in King William's Town, located in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.

She leaped from a plane with a parachute that was supposed to open automatically, but it suffered problems within seconds of exiting the aircraft.

"It should have all run smoothly but she exited the plane in an unusual and unstable position," said skydive manager Joos Vos. "This caused the parachute leads to become entangled. Although the parachute did partially inflate, it was rotating and becoming more entangled as she dropped."

Vos added that the novice skydiver is very lucky to be alive. "She had been trained to use the emergency procedure but unfortunately she did not and instead fell towards the ground."

Butler remains in intensive care where doctors said she was in a stable condition.

"The doctor said it was nothing but divine intervention, nothing short of a miracle," said Butler's stepfather, Victor Peterson.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: A skydiver (not Butler) floats back down to Earth. Credit: Los Angeles Times

To follow this blog on Twitter, please visit @latimesoutposts

Skydiver survives plunge after parachute fails to open

A skydiver suffered few injuries after plunging 2,000 feet and hitting an aircraft hangar when his parachute failed to open properly.

According to the London Times article, skydive cameraman Paul Lewis was filming another parachutist who was making her first jump from 10,000 feet near Whitchurch, England, last week.

At 3,000 feet Lewis pulled his main parachute, which failed to deploy. He then tried his reserve chute, which malfunctioned and only partially opened.

Lewis spiraled rapidly the remaining 2,000 feet, hitting the steel roof of an aircraft hangar. His parachute snagged on the roof, halting his fall to the ground.

Former President George H.W. Bush skydives on 85th birthday

Fans of skydiving will argue that it's a dying sport only if your parachute does not open.

Whatever its popularity these days, it's a thrilling form of outdoor recreation and former President Bush (George H.W.) can attest to this -- again -- after jumping from a plane today to commemorate his 85th birthday.

Bush, who also parachuted on his 75th and 80th birthdays, negotiated a tandem jump from 10,500 feet with Sgt. 1st Class Mike Elliott of the Army's Golden Knights.

At least Bush was in good hands. He said to the Associated Press of his adventure over Maine, during which he plummeted to earth at 100 mph:

"Just because you're an old guy, you don't have to sit around drooling in the corner. Get out and do something. Get out and enjoy life."

It's a commendable attitude and accomplishment, to be sure. Bush said he had such a good time that he planned to do it again when he turns 90.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Former President George H.W. Bush rides tandem with Army Sgt. Michael Elliott of the Army Golden Knights parachute team as he celebrates his 85th birthday today with a parachute jump. Credit: Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press