Submission + - BASE jumper dies in 1,000 foot Grand Canyon fall (azdailysun.com)
Flash Modin writes: A Norwegian BASE jumper plummeted to his death Tuesday afternoon after a 1,000-foot fall near the confluence with Grand Canyon National Park. Authorities say the victim was 37-year-old Eiliv Ruud, a highly-experienced wingsuit BASE jumper and alpine climber. Two other BASE jumpers, a Norwegian man and woman, watched Ruud leap off the cliff and fall about halfway into the gorge, officials said. About 500 feet from canyon bottom, the pair said they saw a gust of wind catch Ruud and slam him into the cliff face. His main parachute didn't deploy afterward and he spiraled to his death. Ruud is often featured in pro BASE jumping videos wearing a wingsuit as he skims above rivers, treetops and cliff faces. While hundreds jump illegally in Yosemite each year, the park service has banned the practice and the Grand Canyon typically doesn't have to deal with BASE jumpers.