Bloukrans: a jump of 216 meters

Could not I have closed the mouth before promising, puffing out his chest, that if we could repair the car jump at Bloukrans? What could not have thought that at least Bloukrans is the world's highest bungee jump? For not, I did not do it.

We had landed in Cape Town with a rickety car, which sailed from Buenos Aires, to begin the last leg of our round the world. Africa had the entire front and 4x4 in a workshop, with poor prognosis. What happened from that moment until I put harnesses for the jump deserves a separate chapter. There was hope, broken engine, unexpected travel, avatars of a route that took us to Suaziladia and Lesotho, mechanical miracles and finally the threshold of promise: Bloukrans.

Was the vision of the bridge, the shape of a giant inverted "U", I hit the pride, I was paralyzed while the legs. We decided to record my jump to give some rhythm to the documentary. On paper it was an exciting piece, adventure in its purest. On the bridge in question seemed like the stupidest idea he ever had in my life.

The company that organizes the jumps is advertised with a slogan eloquent: “Face your fear”, something like "face your fears". But I did not need a psychologist, If I lived happily with my vertigo!… What need was there it cebarme? Bungee jumping is an activity insane. Unlike other extreme sports, here lies the merit of betraying your intuition, do exactly the opposite of what anyone would do in that situation. A climber clings to the mountain, dodge the rocks rafting but here are to be interpreted with faith suicide tied to the harness, in the elastic cord and the concentration of operators.

On paper it was an exciting piece, adventure in its purest. On the bridge in question seemed like the stupidest idea he ever had in my life

"They are 7 you 8 seconds of free fall, "he tells me a bald guy with hands in pockets, as he tells me the direction of a pharmacy. “Ah, Look how well, and gives me time to remember all your family "I think, already affected by nervous tension.

As if the jump is not enough, to access the top of the bridge I engage in a zip and descend like a wimp, whom the panic of what's to come you from feeling the fear of what is going. As I slip between the piers of the bridge I can see the abyss, feel the wind in feet, without a floor to lean.

At the top of the bridge, monitors get loud music, something like bakalao, thereby causing the clients who come there to stop thinking. Anesthesia is a form of mental, accountability. But, we needed to get a sequence silence pure and the silence was heard the wind, the air that was about to surrender.

The last step

José Luis was placed in front of the bridge, to capture a shot. Alfonso was near me, tied to a rope, holding the camera to the edge. I did not give any instruction from camera. Basically because she could not speak, like to think I was framing. Only one thing worse than the fear of falling. It was the fear of ridicule. We had paid 80 EUR, had two people with cameras pointed at me and also, felt the weight of the given word. Thus, I assumed the status of prisoner and was escorted by my "killers" at the edge of the bridge. The tip of my shoes sticking out from the edge of concrete. Below, very very very low, a river and a tangle of trees. "What the hell am I doing here!?” thought. The workers began the countdown. I've never felt such panic and then, 5, 4,… Oh mother!… 3, 2,… Oh my God!…¡1!… and jumped.

I shouted as I could and I stopped being afraid, because fear ends with doubt and I was flying 130 kph, sharply. On that note down, rather felt that the world came over me, and I think I was grinning like an idiot.

Then I noticed something stuck to my ankles and bounced several times with the string taut and giggles. After a few seconds I stood. I was laughing because I do not know if it was over or because they thought my picture, upside down, about 105 meters of floor and ceiling. Then a kind of nothing, off the hook of the bridge. He introduced himself as Spiderman. The hand of the. It was a surreal greeting. With a pulley system brought me back to the launch pad, the world of sanity.

I would add that both Jose Luis as Alfonso had shared my promise and both met the ordeal to take that last step into the void.

That night we had a few beers with his neck stretched, glancing to see if anyone listened to our feat. No use, among other things because no one in that bar and also speak Spanish, well thought all we did was take a step, but in that way we shed the fear, we are filled with pride and close a promise.

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Comments (20)

  • Ann

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    Sight, as a flying tea bag…

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  • Fernando

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    Go jump, yes you need to have h… to make. Bravo to this intrepid traveler, I really like your videos by the way. Greetings from Castellón city.

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  • Juancho

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    Never, never. Not even if I play the most sacred, I would do that. Is, I would die of heart attack in mid-leap. Congratulations to those who survive, but then are unable to leave otherwise healthy track…

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  • Lula

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    diOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

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  • Daniel Landa

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    Here, flying teabag!! The truth is it was good, but I will tell you now. Anyway, I still shake and I start to!

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  • Ann

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    of la verdad, if there were no cameras, no jumping or crazy.. we, nor for pride

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  • loreto

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    Reminds me of my first jump from the trampoline to the pool (7 years)with the difference that I recorded mietras my father with his super 8 camera, of both signals crossed,the movie was completed,without having made the leap.
    Of course ,without cameras, not jump ,I turned around and even 10 years at least,I tried again not.
    Do not laugh is the very same thing,Panic gripped my

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  • Daniel Landa

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    I'm not laughing, I do not laugh, just look at my video camera to realize that I am not willing to laugh at anyone. And yes, Ann, nobody could possibly without cameras captured the ridiculous turn around!

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  • Shepherdess

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    How much beauty in this documentary ( A WORLD APART ) have done work
    With great sensitivity and sympathy while ..... that beautiful places and lovely people ....... congratulations to the three kisses ..

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  • Daniel Landa

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    Thanks Pastor, that was the, to enjoy traveling!!

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  • José Manso Toledo

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    Greetings, I would like to tell me that his writings are interesting, I've seen little about their trips, are attractive, I would like to contact you. Thanks

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  • José Manso Toledo

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    Daniel, I hope answers

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  • Daniel Landa

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    Hello Jose. If you are so kind, Leave your email and I will gladly contact you.

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  • Lydia

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    From the beginning of the video give the feeling of thinking : «with how handsome I am quiet, Who would send me to that promise?» and as Ana says, also gives the impression that if you could, would have turned around.
    With the dizziness that I have, not crossed my mind to do bungee jumping. My hair is like hooks to think.
    I guess you would know beer glory.

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  • Daniel Landa

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    Course, Lydia, the jump we just assuming inertia, for fear of ridicule. If I had to choose today, I think I would stay with the beer directly… 😉

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  • Nacho

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    You could not have kept my mouth shut no, know why… because people like you are eating the world and asks another for dessert.
    Fantastic, dizzying and daring experience… like life
    Do not you think?

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  • Daniel Landa

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    Agree, Nacho. In life you have to jump, no matter how hard the fall…

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  • gisela candle

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    Q Q balor pants to jump that height Dani dsd,I think the not having pnzado q both gave you to jump balor,Hubies silo porq done so just for a second .. you had not jumped,I q some life situations should be this way and throw you to experience awaits q

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