need to add title here

The Birdmen

October 11, 2009 5:20 PM

In the latest craze that has killed several extreme adventurers, men don wing suits, jump off mountain tops and glide at speeds of 140 miles per hour. Steve Kroft reports.

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by probob97 October 25, 2009 9:21 AM EDT
That's not flying! That's falling with style!!!
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by Jumptolive October 23, 2009 3:05 AM EDT
As a skydiver...or rather ex-skydiver. Stopped jumping 5 years ago. It is not hard to understand why they do this. If you have not at least goen skydiving, you will never never never be able to understand the rush and yet calming feeling. It is not a deathwish...it is a living wish. To truly know what it means to be alive.
Most people go through life never knowing that they are alive. Sadly, never knowing what it means to take yourself mentally or physically to the limit.
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by jtweezo October 19, 2009 9:33 AM EDT
Wow, that is truly amazing. Tell me thats not the coolest thing you ever seen?

Jessi
www.anonymous.ua.tc
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by jtweezo October 19, 2009 9:32 AM EDT
Now tell me thats not the coolest thing you ever seen!

JT
http://www.anonymous.ua.tc
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by twhowley October 18, 2009 1:46 PM EDT
I'm an avid skier fan of the late Shane McConkey whom you mentioned died last year doing this when his ski failed to release. His passing was a huge loss to the skiing community and, I am certain, to his young family. In the realm of extreme sports, where athletes make a living at this, this is as risky as it gets. All will tell you that they calculate the risk and are aware of the consequences, however, when you have a bad day at the office at this job, you die and your family has to deal with the consequences. To me, when you have kids, you have to think of them as well. Failing to do so is a personal choice, but, in my view, it's pure selfishness.
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by thelibyan October 18, 2009 4:58 AM EDT
by ALI RAMLI - LIBYA
Oh my God
This is so extrordinary , unbelievable
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by Pastorjlang October 17, 2009 9:51 PM EDT
This is so extrordinary!!! These guys are utilizing their God given gifts!!!
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by ggwh3511 October 16, 2009 10:08 PM EDT
I have never comment on anything. But, I have to say these guys are amazing! To have the guts to do what they do and do it so beautifully! I would pay $10.000 plus to get that rush! Well, maybe if I wanted to fulfill my deathwish. So completely glad you cannot BUY the priviledge to do what these men have earned!!!
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by je1finkel October 16, 2009 1:32 PM EDT
With all due respect, this isn't really flying... its controlled falling.

For the real closest thing to flying like a soaring bird, where, for example, you gain altitude, check this out as but one example....

http://www.experiencefestival.com/forum/Video-Viewing/CGU0c78V9qI
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by lafferty4 October 15, 2009 5:17 PM EDT
WOW, Dean358 I guess at least they keep track of the fatalities. I used to sell life insurance and one of the questions they asked is if you have ever base jumped, participated in extreme sports, rock climbed, sky dived, hang glided, etc. You can see why. All it takes is a minor mistake and it's all over. You have to admit though, it's fascinating to watch. These guys are professional outdoorsman, atheletes, skiers and hikers all living their dreams. WOW.
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by bwilson1940 October 15, 2009 8:42 AM EDT
This post is response to azNephite Do you even know what your talking about,i have been in this sport for 5 years and to me it is the best part of my life i have trained harder then some olympic athletes and to me its my religion.

I live my life to explore and push myself i dont cheat death i know exactly what i am doing, people like you only hold back the dreams of people like me,that is why we dont immense ourselves with people like you.

people said to walk on the moon is crazy,when the first car came out that too was crazy,what about spending your life in a office working 6 days a week now thats crazy. you only get on average 75 years go and live yours and stop criticising others for willing to dream..
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by azNephite October 15, 2009 12:27 AM EDT
U people are crazy. U think U are in control, but it is only an illusion. U have to keep on finding ways to get closer to cheating death in order to get your rush. U are addicted to this just like a user on cocaine & cannot stop even if you wanted to. Except when U hit rock bottom it is literal & U will...
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by dean358 October 14, 2009 11:48 PM EDT
This was a great story with fantastic visuals, but with all due respect to the writers at 60 Minutes, I don?t think they really conveyed how insanely dangerous BASE jumping is. (And I?ve made 1058 skydives.) You think you want to try BASE? Please read this:

http://www.splatula.com/bfl/

Warning: please don?t open that link it you?re easily upset.
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by Cherish-you October 14, 2009 8:00 AM EDT
i like this idea,i want to have a try!
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by Fjordfun October 14, 2009 7:12 AM EDT
Explore the Birdmen-area in Western Norway here: http://www.fjords.com
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by hate_viagra_commercials October 13, 2009 12:37 PM EDT
wanted to watch the bird men but that stupid viagra commercial came on and I would rather stick a screw driver in my ear than hear that again.
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by TheChief_1 October 13, 2009 10:53 AM EDT
Great interview JT, you nailed it. Nice plug for Porters too.
Congratulations. Sorry Shane wasn't with you, or maybe he was.
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by wizerd431 October 12, 2009 7:25 PM EDT
WOW!! what an amazing story.top notch story telling.60 minutes rocks!
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by srmerg October 12, 2009 6:17 PM EDT
Obviously these young men do not listen to their mothers!
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by ylloh1 October 12, 2009 6:13 PM EDT
Great story CBS, as a former FIS & Olympic ski jumper myself back in the late 50s early 60s. I can appreciate the experience of weightless flight but for nowhere near the amount of time these guys get too experience it.
I'm jealous and very envious of their ability to fly for over a minute, with control and direction. If only I were in my team again or 20 I'd be there with them. Again great story CBS.
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