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| - My leap out of the 108th floor of the Stratosphere tower in fabulous Las Vegas was nothing short of categorically awesome.
I was able to sign up for a same-day jump on a Tuesday morning for a jump in early afternoon. I showed up, signed my life away, paid for my package (definitely get the wristcam video!), and was quickly suited, harnessed, and weighed prior to my elevator ride to the top. Once above, I was weighed again, attached to the various cables by a staff of two people that checked and double-checked everything. They gave me some very basic instructions about putting my feet halfway off the edge of the platform, where to put my hands, and then "3...2...1...here comes Sara..."
I jumped right away, but they told me they allow people to take as long as they need. The descent is not a true free-fall, but more of a rapid glide, and I would estimate ~7 seconds to get to the landing area. They slow you close to the bottom, and the landing was pretty smooth. I was unclipped, unsuited and walked away as the bad-ass envy of my less bold traveling companions.
If you are in Vegas and at all curious about this experience, go for it! I think the most ringing endorsement I can give is that I went back that night and jumped again (only $50 for the second jump on the same day).
The only reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that, for the price you pay them, the staff could be a little more engaging with the customers. They were focused on safety and were not unfriendly, but mostly socialized among themselves during both of my experiences.
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