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I heard the news today, oh boy . . .
4 months ago
Welcome to my thoughts! Watch your step!
Felix Baumgartner, 1969-2025.
He was a former Austrian paratrooper, and in civilian life was a practitioner of various extreme sports. In 2012, he rode a helium balloon into the stratosphere to an altitude of 39 kilometers (127,852 feet) - whereupon he stepped out and and fell 36km before opening his parachute. During the free fall he reached a speed of Mach 1.25, at the time the fastest speed by a human without a vehicle.
He died yesterday, 17 July 2025, when he suffered some sort of medical problem in flight. His powered paraglider crashed near Porto Sant'Elpido, Italy.
RIP, Felix. You were a rare one.
He was a former Austrian paratrooper, and in civilian life was a practitioner of various extreme sports. In 2012, he rode a helium balloon into the stratosphere to an altitude of 39 kilometers (127,852 feet) - whereupon he stepped out and and fell 36km before opening his parachute. During the free fall he reached a speed of Mach 1.25, at the time the fastest speed by a human without a vehicle.
He died yesterday, 17 July 2025, when he suffered some sort of medical problem in flight. His powered paraglider crashed near Porto Sant'Elpido, Italy.
RIP, Felix. You were a rare one.
As you take these kinds of chances, it becomes more and more likely that you'll meet such an end.
Quite the ride, though.
"ya know... most souls take the elevator."
Can't say the same for the folks who may have to clean UP whatever you left behind. Scattered or smeared across the ground/bldgs.?...
yikes
Why do that? If yer gonna cash in, at least have SOME consideration for others that may have to deal with the remains? egads...
Vix
Vix