BASE jumping

Corliss uses the hallway in a local motel to repack his parachute. “There’s nothing in my life that has given me the same feelings and experiences as BASE jumping,” he says.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

“A lot of people ¼ think they have control over whether they die,” Corliss says. He found his place in the world while skydiving.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

Jeb Corliss adjusts the helmet video camera for Karin Sako before they jump off a bridge in Idaho  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

Jeb Corliss and Karin Sako leave safety behind to plummet 486 feet in Idaho.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

Jeb Corliss freefalls from the bridge before deploying his parachute.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

“BASE jumping is inherently very selfish,” Sako says. “We’re putting our own desires above those who care about us.” She should know; her boyfriend was killed while jumping in an exhibition. Corliss once broke multiple ribs, his back and sat immobile in freezing water in South Africa for an hour awaiting rescue while crabs ate the flesh around his back wounds. “Not all life experiences are fun, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he says.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

Jeb Corliss gathers his chute moments after landing on the riverbank.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)