WINGSUIT IN THE WASATCH

By: Hartman Rector

By KAVU

November 21^st, 2023

MAHOGANY

It's exciting to share one of my favorite wingsuit jumps ever: Mahogany.

Getting to "open" this exit in 2016 was super special because one of my best friends, Pat Walker and I had been exploring the area, previously flying from both Black and Squaw Peaks. Wanting to explore more of American Fork Canyon, finding Mahogany together... and going through the process to make this flight happen made that day stand out.... A full-value KAVU Day, for sure!

Finding a full-on, but perfect line through the forest, I couldn't wait to jump it with Pat. When that day finally came... let's just say, it was memorable!

On the more serious side, this jump is not for the faint of heart. I'd probably call it "a triple black diamond". In fact, the only "easy part" is the approach. Ha ha ha.

The exit point faces north, so it's always in the shade, and although it's very steep, the exit is mostly crumbly limestone. Pat "fixed" a rope to aid getting to the exit point, from where you can see the prominent ledge 100 meters below.

3,2,1- See Ya...

When you jump... and drop past the treetops, flying through the forest is like a dream.

There is around 800 meters of total altitude to find your own line before landing in the canyon, which requires a "heads up" approach. Canyon winds, power lines, a river, and big boulders should be considered.

I want to clarify that everything about this jump is technical. When people ask, "How much experience should I have before jumping it?" I tell them... "Hundreds of wingsuit BASE jumps in Europe, and plenty of experience with short, technical wingsuit starts. Be honest with yourself and remember, slower is faster". - October 9, 2023

COAL PIT EXIT

The Coal pit jump is another one of the most remote and difficult jumps in the area. After a grueling six-hour hike up the back side of the mountain, we get to fly over stunning scenery. Like Mahogany (and many of the jumps in this canyon), this is not a jump for the faint of heart, but if you're ready for it, it’s worth every step. - October 7, 2023

TWIN PEAKS

With 1400 meters of flyable altitude, Twin Peaks is the biggest jump around. It also has one of the best, full-value lines I've flown. - September 5, 2023

JS CAVE

A tiny, picturesque jump halfway up American Fork Canyon. When everything lines up nicely with the conditions, this jump provides! - September 5, 2023

DEVILS EYE

Also called Dharma Peak, the Devils Eye is a rock formation on the north side of American Fork Canyon near Provo, Utah. The Devils Eye gets better conditions than other jumps in the area, because it faces south and gets good sun and lifting air. - September 17, 2023

ASPEN GROVE

Pat Walker and I first opened the Aspen Grove exit in 2020. I came back in 2023 with Marshall Miller and Brendan Weinstein. We decided that the jump is repeatable, but it is not recommended because the measurements and margins are a bit short. - September 12, 2023