Comments on: People acting squirrelly

By: Romeo Vitelli

Romeo Vitelli — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:21:35 +0000

“I can’t think of any better way to die than flying like that.”

Really? Dying of extreme old age would be my preference.

By: Mike Haubrich, FCD

Mike Haubrich, FCD — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:14:41 +0000

That really looks like fun, and I would try it if I were younger and in better shape and had life insurance for my kids. I can’t think of any better way to die than flying like that.

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:02:31 +0000

I have seen flying squirrels in both North America and Africa, and the difference is if you drop even a regular squirrel about 40 times its body height it (usually) is uninjured, but if you do that to a person they (usually) don’t survive!

Now, that video … I don’t know about that video …

I prefer this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZgcBUx0Vwg

By: Pyre

Pyre — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:35:13 +0000

Something that you have to be a bit squirrelly to do, but not exactly squirrel-looking.

Greg, I’m surprised at you. Haven’t you ever seen a flying squirrel? They use the webbing between “arms”/”legs” and body to glide and thus extend their jumps from tree to tree. These suits very strongly resemble flying squirrels.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=flying-squirrel

By: Pyre

Pyre — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:24:28 +0000

Mike V: it was the second Tomb Raider, “The Cradle of Life”. That shows the switch to parachutes in order to land. Great scene. Real stunt, not CGI.

By: Carlie

Carlie — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:55:15 +0000

Ha! My first thought was also "Hm, but they're not showing any landings..." Put me in mind of this video. (Kiwi!, for the click-averse)

By: Doug Alder

Doug Alder — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:26:22 +0000

It’s the “evolution” of BASE jumping and is becoming quite popular. The clip posted is from an action DVD called Seven Sunny Days by Matchstick Production. Checkout some of their other films at http://www.mspfilms.com/msptv

By: Mike V

Mike V — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:02:20 +0000

Those make an appearance in one of the Tomb Raider movies (don’t recall which one). A daring escape ™ is made by putting those on and leaping from an under-construction skyscraper.

By: David Lee

David Lee — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:49:36 +0000

I don’t. terminal velocity, a 45 degree angle and rocks doesn’t leave much room for a mistake. Must be getting old…

By: george.w

george.w — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:32:52 +0000

Holy schnitt that looks like a lot of fun. How long until someone tries it off a really tall mountain?