Volcano Bungee Jump,

About me:

 

I am a bungee addict.

100% Adrenaline, Junkie

On record, I have 7 jumps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfgMP6tdkJ0   40 meters over the Auckland Bridge ( New Zealand) 2 years ago. After that jump, I made a promise to myself I am going all the way to reach the ultimate height.

One Jump of 134m over the Nevis Bungee Jump New Zealand 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBffpyZzP0c   134m plus swing in Switzerland ( warm-up)

A James Bond Bungy Jump the second time of 220m in Switzerland at the Contra Dam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfZukBPha9o&t=2s

A military jump for my soldiers as you see me carrying my military flag on me in Macau at 233m at night. On landing, I left my flag at the bottom, went back and did another jump.

( I work in the Israeli Army as a volunteer in an elite unit helping the youngsters integrate into army life from school. It's a challenging job that I love to do. I act like a Daddy to them and they love me for all the care that I do for them even at my age at 64.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=273Ie1jjwaE&t=181s

Before my jump, I climbed up the Macau Tower( China) during the day. at 338m  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_fmQFO4DmQ&t=237s

 

 

As you see, I am climbing the ladder to reach the ultimate height and experience, that will last me for a lifetime. I have been doing my research and I found out about the Glass bridge Bungy Jump. in China. I checked the site and unfortunately when I try and make a booking they say I must register early so I can be as they say"contracted" The website is:www.bungychina.com. That was over a year ago. I managed to find a Chinese Travel agent who will try and help me. Unfortunately, all the replies that I get are negative. While I was in China at the Macau Tower run by AJHackett a well-known company and is the founder of Bungee Jumping, I asked the question about the Glass bridge. The press released videos on the 7/6/2018 about a new Bungee Site over the Glass bridge at the height of 260m Seeing that I have jumped 233m that's "peanuts" for me. On Youtube, there were videos and a lot of excitement which made me make more investigations about it. There is a phone number that does not work. AJHackett told me that there was a suicide attempt and that they stole money from AJhachett.  That was a year ago. They also don't have a safety certificate. The government is investigating the issue. It was a great shame as I was in China and I really wanted to go there to do the bungee at 260m.

 

 

With all that said, I carried along with my research and I found BUNGEE.COM. I was astounded and excited to see what the company has to offer. I scrolled down and fond out about the Volcano Bungee Jump in South America in Chile. I looked at it a number of times. I saw a small video also. I checked the whole package and what it has to offer. On more research that I did, was to find out who the CEO is. It's Casey Dale and he has a number at the bottom of the website. On numerous times I tried the number but no one answered. One time  I managed to get hold of him and he told me at that time about a year ago that he was very busy and must email him. Like I am sending this email to you I sent it to him. I had a feeling he was involved in the Will Smith Bungee Jump and I was right. I waited and waited until after Will's bungee then I contacted him again through skype and spoke to him. He told me that all the spots were taken for the month of March 2019.but in November 2018 he was going to send out forms to various applicants who applied before and he has to decide who is coming and who will answer the questionnaire that he will send out.

 

One time I managed to get hold of him during a break of his meetings and offered my assistance as a volunteer on this amazing adventure to Chile. He answered he doesn't need volunteers and on that, he says I am not qualified to jump. That really upset me. The price for the whole package is over $16,000. I have gone through the site and just about know everything. I have been checking the site every day and I still see that the next bungee will be in March 2019. That's history!!

 

 

At present, I have jumped the highest in the world that is the Macau Tower in China at 233m. My family and friends think that this is crazy I ask them to define the word crazy. Crazy is just a word. My method is so simple. All you have to do is the second before you jump is to close up everything that you have in your head with absolutely nothing inside and then jump. The adrenaline which comes over you is beyond words of explaining. Two options remain for you. One is you are a dead chicken, and the second you are brave and will never forget that experience. I am not scared of anything. I think the roots of this adrenaline comes from my military experience. Many times I have had the sad occasion to bury soldiers who were killed in action, I cannot count how many times I have had to bury my soldiers and face their families to try and to comfort them. (By the way, Menachem means to comfort in Hebrew) I have also personally buried both my parents  6 years ago. They died 3 months apart. That's life!!

 

On the money side and the most important side of this email. I am on a pension with a small amount of about $1,100 a month. I saved like crazy to go on those jumps. I am single, honest and very friendly. Only recently two years ago. I embarked on this bungee adventure from a friend of mine in New Zealand. Never in the whole world did I ever dream of a bungee jump. Look what I have achieved. It hasn't penetrated into my head yet. I am still speaking and showing people all those videos. My second jump 220m in Switzerland has topped over 1.6k on youtube alone.

 

$16,000 I certainly cannot afford to do this amazing dream that I really  want to do is to bungee over the volcano for the following reasons:

1) To show my soldiers and to set an example that even at my age I am able to take the leap of faith.

2) To speak about the experience for a lifetime.

3) To show people with mental disabilities that if you want to do something out of the box and exciting this is the chance.

4) To explain my method by switching off everything in your head the second before you jump and use humor which helps a lot for example if I had chicken for lunch before the jump and something happens to me. The rest of the party can enjoy a real roasted chicken from my bones which will have roasted in the volcano.

5)To define death into an experience of a lifetime. 

6)I have what it takes to be a great potential jumper for this adventure without any doubt.

7) Plenty more reasons but unfortunately there is a big wall in front of me that's the price $16,000

 

 

I was born in South Africa and we came as a family to Israel in 1977. I have 3 brothers one is living in Dublin. One is living in Sydney and I have a brother here in Israel.

Apart from my Bungy life, I am active with a youth movement called Aharai  http://partners.aharai.org.il/en/homepage-en/ I work in the logistic department as a volunteer. I really love helping the kids before their military service. I am an honest, reliable fun going person and easy to get along with. I have a great sense of humor which comes in handy.

 

 

 

 

Application for sponsorship:

 

The questionnaire which I got from Bungee.com    

Expedition Application Volcano Heli-Bungee
Pucon-Villarrica, Chile

 

*Bungee.com requests that I need to send this form not later than the 17th December so it enables me for an opportunity to be one of the 10% that will be accepted. (at the bottom you will see the detailed medical information)

 

1)Do you have a current passport?
2)Have you traveled internationally? (If yes)
3)Where and when?
4)What is the longest trip abroad?
5)Have you suffered from any illness or anxiety while traveling abroad?
6Do you have immunizations for travel in South America (Chile)?
Blood pressure
7)Are you currently taking any medications? If yes, are you able to travel with a week’s supply of those medications?
78)Do you have medical insurance that will cover you on this activity while traveling abroad?
9)Do you have specific evacuation, emergency air transport insurance back to the USA?
10)Have you ever been part of an expedition involving over ten people? (If yes)
a)      Where?
b)      How long?
c)      What type of activity?
d)     What was your role on the expedition?
e)     Were there any incidents or problems you or other members of your group experienced while on the expedition?
f)      Can you supply a list of three reference names of other members of the expedition?
11)Do you speak Spanish?
12)Are you under any legal restrictions that would potentially affect your ability to travel abroad?
13)Why is it that you want to participate in this Volcano Heli-Bungee?
14) Are you fully aware that you will be riding on the outside (skid) of a helicopter and bungee jumping into the caldera of an active volcano and do you realize that this is a dangerous activity and you could potentially lose your life if something were to go wrong?
Oh and since we are talking about the “what if’s”, you understand that you will be required to sign one of that hold-harmless, release of liability, indemnification, contractual agreement thingy’s if you want to be part of the 10% chosen and allowed to participate in this little international adventure?
15)Do you understand that the cost of this expedition is $16,000 (US) with an initial 50% non-refundable deposit two-months prior to the mid-march jump date (If the trip is canceled prior to the organizers arrival in Chile to stage and complete this stunt, you will receive a 100% refund of your deposit)? Do you also understand and accept that the the balance will be due and payable either (a.) by wire transfer one-week prior to your arrival in Chile or (b.) in US currency upon arrival in Chile and prior to boarding the helicopter for your jump whether you complete your jump or not?

To be perfectly clear, now that we are committed to carrying out this stunt we will do everything on our end to bring it to fruition, just as we have for the past 32-years of offering jumps to tens of thousands of jumpers.

 

Hello Menachem,
 
Season’s greetings to you and yours, we hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

Thank You. Here in Israel, we celebrate Hannuka which is the same time as Christmas. For further info about Hannuka you can take a peek view here:

https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102911/jewish/What-Is-Hanukkah.htm

In the review of the applications, it has come to our attention that some of the potential participant forms sent out may have been missing some medical information questions. (Lost and found offices all around:) If you have already answered these questions please do not worry about resubmitting your responses. However, it appears for many of you the only medical question that you received was asking if you suffered from high blood pressure. The following is the full list of medical questions we need you to answer as quickly as possible since we are nearing the announcement date. 

 Here is my medical questionnaire in full:

Are you under currently or have you previously been under treatment for any medical or psychological conditions?
·         Cardiac/Heart                                           N/A
·         Vascular or High Blood Pressure              N/A
·         Neurological/Psychological                       N/A
·         Skeletal, Joint or Muscle                           N/A
·         Vision or Hearing                                       N/A 
 

Do you have a history of any untreated joint, back, neck, shoulder, hip, knee problems or from the above-listed conditions?

I have 7 jumps on record and all is well

 
We realized we neglected to ask all of you a few additional questions: 
·         Do you suffer from any allergies? (food, fauna, bees, etc.)  N/A
·         Do you wear contact lenses?                                                NO

·         With regard to those of you who wear contact lenses. We will need to know if you are able to see without them and will you have a pair of glasses as a backup?

I have glasses to read-only including a spare pair.

·         Who will be your emergency contact back at home (Name, relationship, phone number, and email address)? 

Brother: Dr.Yoni Grossman

 Mobile:+972522923471

email:*****@****.***

·         Additionally, we need to know your height 172cm and weight,66kg along with your chest 92cm and waist96cm measurements? (needed for harness sizing purposes)
 
If we do not have all of the responses we need from those still under consideration we will need to push the announcement notification date past Christmas Day and closer to New Years'. 
 
If you are selected to participate in this high-adventure expedition, we will be sending you a list of items to make sure you bring with you in your personal gear to South America and specifically to participate in all of the air, land and water adventures.
 
FYI, we do provide goggles but we need to know about your contact lenses as well, in case the goggles were to fall into the volcano, (look Mom No EYES!:) we want you to be forewarned and have a better understanding of two of the more significant elements (wind and cold) and the challenges they present as a component of this jump. Your eyes will water a lot if you are without goggles and may still water a little even with them on. Therefore, if you end up getting one of the spots to join us you will want to plan accordingly for the "contact lens contingent".
 

When you are riding the skid,(I have plenty of jokes while standing on the outside of the helicopter,) we are flying at about 120 knots, at approximately a 10,000 ft. elevation (or 3,000 meters) for 15 minutes with the cold wind blowing in your face making your eyes water. Then after you jump, you will not be pulled back into the helicopter,(NICE!) instead, you get a “long-line” ride suspended by the bungee system for 15 minutes while flying under and chasing the chopper down the volcano, over the glacier and back to the LZ (Landing Zone) at the Pucon airport (this is one of the most awesome parts of the entire experience!). Can't wait for that!!

I have a playboy magazine to read...:)

Do you supply a GoPro camera for rent?

What is the height that the cord will reach over the volcano? when I jump over the volcano? in meters, please. I am trying to make the difference as I jumped 233m over the Macau Tower in Macau China. March 2019

 

 
Happy Holidays to all of you and we hope you are having a wonderful celebration with family and friends.
 

God Bless You

Shalom From Israel

See you on 20/03

This is the reply I got from Casey Dale from Bungee.com:

 

 

Wed, 1 Jan 2020 at 22:58 Casey Dale <*****@****.***> wrote:

 

Menachem,                                                                January 1, 2020

What a way to being the new decade, congratulations, YOU’RE IN!!

I hope you are enjoying your New Year's Day and are looking forward to the new decade of the 20-0’s as much as our bungee crew is. (I am spending New Year’s Day with my Jewish sister and brother in-law). This will definitely be an amazing kick-off of the new decade with this Volcano Heli-Bungee in March!

Regarding this jump, we are announcing today the folks who will be joining us for this aerial expedition to South America.

Menachem, I was hoping that you could forward me your cell phone number so that we can have a brief chat? I look forward to meeting him in person this March in South America.

As our bungee crew looked at what the various candidates were bringing to the experience by joining us, we all believe that you will be a good addition to the group. From your travels and jumps in New Zealand, Macau and Switzerland, and your life of service in Israeli.

Since the inception of my company 32-years ago, we have offered jumps to local military combat veterans from the local bases as part of a PTSD therapy program run through the US Pentagon. Therefore, we have a real appreciation Menachem of what you have been doing for your I.D.F. soldiers. This jump will inspire many to face the fears and look at the excitement that life, post service, can still offer them.

So congrats, you’re in!! Again, we will look forward to seeing you in Temuco, Chile on Friday March 20th for dinner with the group before we start jumps on Saturday morning March 21^st and Sunday March 22nd! (We will be happy to schedule your jump on Sunday after Shabbot. Also, please share with us if you have specific dietary restrictions?)

I will be in contact regarding the next steps as we confirm who else has made the cut and who will be one of the dozen or so names on the alternate list. 

Again Menachem, Happy New Year and we looking forward to starting off the new decade with you on a truly epic adventure!

Respectfully,

Casey Dale

 

This is my URGENT reply to  Casey:

 

 

 

 

Hi Casey, warm greetings and I hope you are well. I’m writing to clarify things about my trip to Chile and the jump so that there is no misunderstanding between us. As you know, I have received a formal acceptance email, telling me that I am ’in’ the group to jump. I was delighted to receive this notification but want to be clear. While I cannot afford the cost of the jump the next best thing for me is to be there and offer any help required, without interfering in the the group dynamic and the jump itself. I don’t want to cause any bother.

 

Should you be in agreement with this arrangement, I will be happy to be there. I have in fact booked my flight and it would be good and necessary for both myself and yourself, the company, to know in advance of my arrival that this is the arrangement between ourselves. Please let me know in writing that this to your satisfaction.

 

This is the hard work that I have done since the beginning of wanting to go:

I got hold of Danny( a partner) and since then I have been in contact with him and here is our correspondence: From August 2019:

 

"Hello, My Friend.
It It is good to hear from you. I am sorry to hear that your birthday was filled with stress.  I must be honest with you, however, the way that you are talking with me is frustrating to me.  I have made it clear that I am trying to help you be involved in an event that would cost a lot of money to those who are invited and I am trying to include you by not only NOT accepting payment but I am incurring costs of great amounts of Money to help you. I made it clear that I can not guarantee anything. Things have changed since I made that commitment. I am not making all the decisions. I do not have all the answers. In addition to this, I am also trying to do many other things in my life during the preparation for the Volcano jump. My daughter, my current job, my future job. They all are at a critical point that requires my immediate attention. But you are making me feel very bad by putting the stress and uncertainty that you are feeling on my shoulders as though it is my fault that you are not able to get the answers you require.
I like you Menachem, I hope to someday meet you and continue to develop our friendship.
As for the volcano jump, I have been gone for the week and do not have any updates yet. I will definitely let you know when I find out. I hope to talk to Casey about the jump by Thursday. I am flying back to Tennessee today in the next few hours.
It has been a very difficult week and I am trying to stay positive even when there things that make me want to punch a wall.
My daughter is good, thank you for asking, but I miss her. She is having her birthday on the 12th and I won’t be able to attend and it makes me sad.
I am sad to hear about your stress regarding this volcano event. Being on medication is not good, if this is stressing your body to that extent, I think we need to rethink how we are approaching it. I can not tell you that you are a guarantee to jump and be part of this event. Until I CAN make it possible for you to be involved, is it easier for you to accept that you will not be going? Then, as I continue to work on your behalf, within a set timeline, if I can get you on board, I will send you all the necessary letters and times that will make it possible for you to come and be prepared.  To make it easier, there will be no planned trip to America to meet up ahead of time in regards to this event. If you want to come anyway, I will gladly try to help out in any way possible. But the visit will not include any preparation in regards to the volcano jump.  If you are able to come to the Volcano event, you will have plenty of time to practice and prepare yourself at that time. Let us make a tentative booking goal of January 2nd, 2020.  I hope that by that date, I will know more clearly how many jumpers are signed in and paid and I will be able to tell you either yes or no, that you are able to come.
There is nothing else that I can do at this time. There is
Nothing else that you need to do. Let’s relax and watch as
Things unfold.  I hope that this will help you relieve some of the stress you have felt due to all the confusion and uncertainty. But please don’t forget that the $16,000 that is not being paid in dollars will likely be paid in some other form, perhaps the stress that we feel now is a deposit! I am trying to be funny and I hope I have not upset or offended you.
It is my hope and my request that we can move from this point forward with our stress.
Thank you"
Shalom
Your Bungee Brother,
Danny

  As the months went by, Danny and I have had many conversations through Whats-App and tells me that he cannot help me.

 

The second part of my emotional journey to get to the most wanted dream of my life was to obtain a sponsorship so  I approached Redbull. Here are the letters that have been coming in and out between Redbull and myself.:

Hi Sebastian,

Redbull has asked me to send this to you.

 

 

Your First Letter To Me which got me so excited:

Letter From Casey Dale (Bungee.com)

Hey Menachem,

I hope you are doing well and life is still a grand adventure for you
So I would like you to know you are one of the first that I am contacting from the rather exhaustive list of potential volcano jumpers.

Helicopter-Bungee Volcano Jump, March 20-26th, 2020 Pucon, Chile

It’s on for 2020! That’s the good news, after a couple of years of delays the last of the Heli-Bungee Volcano Jumps into the Villarrica caldera is going to happen. We will make this final trip to South America for our once-in-a-life-time the expedition this next Spring. As advertised we will stay in a plush resort in Pucon, Chile on the shore of Villarrica lake and within view of the volcano.

Our expedition will include a week’s worth of adventure including, sky diving, whitewater rafting, hot springs and exploring the local surroundings. All meals will be covered as well as lodging and transportation from the Temuco, Chile airport to the resort.

Now for the bad news, over the past few years since our last volcano jump, the list of those applying to join this expedition has grown to 147 applicants. Unfortunately, due to time constants and Chilean government permits, we have to restrict the size of our party to just over twenty (20) jumpers. Therefore, we are sending out an application form which we will need you complete in the next ten (10) days and return to us via email and dated no later than December 17th, of this month. We will also not be able to entertain any requests for discounts from the $16K participation fee for the week (no partial week applicants will be accepted). Once we are in possession of the applications (that make the deadline), they will be reviewed by a panel of our jump masters who staged the Heli-Bungee into the Grand Canyon last fall for the actor Will Smith in celebration of his 50th birthday.

We are looking for psychologically stable jumpers who (we determine in our subjective opinions) will be a good fit with the dynamic of this high-adventure group. We also are looking for unique stories as to why each of you would like to bungee jump into a live volcano out of a perfectly good helicopter? Our decisions will not be based on gender, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or political affiliation. We will, however, look at your past background in adventure and risk-taking (or not). Additionally, we will require Bungee.com to befriended on your Facebook page so we can get to know you a litter better and may ask for personal references who know you well. Our goal is to put together a cohesive group of like-minded adventurers who are looking to have the greatest campfire story of any of their family or friends for the rest of their lives!

Logistics:

March 20th, 2020 Arrive from Santiago to Temuco Chile before twilight.

March 21st & 22nd, Volcano jumps for each member of the expedition.

March 22nd, Whitewater rafting on one of Chile’s challenging local rivers.

March 23rd, Skydiving based at the Pucon, Chile airport.

March 24th, A day of relaxing at the geothermal hot pools on the flank of the volcano.

March 25th, Tourist day in Pucon and Villarrica to explore the local culture.

March 26th, Fly out of Temuco back to Santiago or destinations unknown!

 

Again, we apologize that we will only be able to accommodate approximately 10%of those of you that would like to join us. But this means you at least have a chance to join us for this life-changing experience.

 

Okay, the ball is in your court! If you are serious about meeting us in South America and would like to join the elite list of our clients like Will Smith, Mark Walberg and Richard Branson now is the time to act! Get those application forms filled out and write your essay on why you should be one of the 10% to join us for this awesome and truly epic life adventure.

 

Hope to see you in the South American sky this Spring!

Cheers,

Casey

 

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