Joshua Bregman, a 34-year-old British adventurer, has set a new Guinness World Record for the highest altitude ski-BASE jump. Bregman leaped from an impressive height of 18,753 feet on Mera Peak in Nepal, surpassing the previous record by over 4,000 feet.
Previous Record
The previous record for the highest ski-BASE jump was held by French athlete Matthias Giraud, who achieved the feat in 2019 from an altitude of 14,301 feet.
What is Ski-BASE Jumping?
Ski-BASE jumping is an extreme sport that combines skiing and BASE jumping. It involves skiing off a cliff or mountain, free-falling through the air, and then deploying a parachute to land. This sport demands both the thrill of skiing and the daring of BASE jumping.
Preparation and Challenges
For his record attempt, Bregman spent two weeks on Mera Peak. During this time, he and his team faced several challenges, including:
- Acclimation: Hiking, skiing, and camping to adapt to the high altitude.
- Physical Difficulties: Dealing with lack of oxygen and constant headaches.
- Site Preparation: Clearing debris and creating a suitable jumping site. Initially, Bregman’s team struggled with a suboptimal jump spot but eventually found a suitable slope.
Final Attempt
Bregman and his team were fortunate to receive a 2 cm dusting of snow on the night before the jump, which, although modest, improved the conditions slightly. Despite the challenging circumstances, including a rocky runway, Bregman successfully completed the stunt.
Purpose of the Jump
Bregman staged the world record jump not just for the thrill but also to raise awareness about human trafficking in Nepal and to support thousands of child victims with the funds raised from the stunt.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. What is the new Guinness World Record altitude set by Joshua Bregman for the highest ski-BASE jump?
a) 14,301 feet
b) 16,000 feet
c) 18,753 feet
d) 20,000 feet
Answer: c) 18,753 feet
2. Who held the previous record for the highest ski-BASE jump before Joshua Bregman?
a) Joshua Bregman
b) Matthias Giraud
c) Felix Baumgartner
d) Jeb Corliss
Answer: b) Matthias Giraud
3. What are the two main components of ski-BASE jumping?
a) Skiing and parachuting
b) Skiing and bungee jumping
c) BASE jumping and skydiving
d) Skiing and rock climbing
Answer: a) Skiing and parachuting
4. What challenges did Bregman’s team face while preparing for the jump?
a) Unfamiliar terrain and poor weather
b) Lack of oxygen and debris
c) Equipment failure and altitude sickness
d) Hostile wildlife and strong winds
Answer: b) Lack of oxygen and debris
5. What was the purpose of Joshua Bregman’s record-setting jump?
a) To raise funds for environmental conservation
b) To promote adventure sports
c) To raise awareness about human trafficking in Nepal
d) To support earthquake relief efforts
Answer: c) To raise awareness about human trafficking in Nepal