WINGSUIT BASE JUMPER
Tim with his wife Ewa at Everest Base Camp.
Tim is standing on a ledge of biotite-grade rock 8,383M high inside the Himalayan death zone, he is about to jump.
Meet Tim Howell, Inigo Risk Ambassador, professional alpinist, and wingsuit BASE jumper. Embark on a journey with us to surface the science of risk and witness how Tim navigates the edge of the impossible, demonstrating true courage lies in calculated precision.
We will learn about the science that keeps him safe. From the highly technical aspects of the climbing and flying equipment he selects, to the complex maths involved in calculating safe trajectories and everything in between. The comparisons between his mindset and ours are astounding. 3,2,1...
WORLD RECORD ALTITUDE BASE JUMP ATTEMPT
Tim Howell stands on the precipice of a lifelong dream. After four years of intense preparation and thousands of practice jumps, he is ready to attempt the highest-ever BASE jump from the formidable cliffs of Lhotse in the Himalayas. Despite its majestic height, Everest’s terrain isn’t suitable for such a feat, but Lhotse’s steep faces offer the perfect exit point for his ambitious goal.
Tim, a former Royal Marine Commando with expertise in reconnaissance and cold weather survival, has an impressive record: the first wingsuit BASE jump from Aconcagua, and all six Great North Faces of the Alps under his belt. Now, he is seeking to add another first to his name with his team, including his wife Ewa, a seasoned alpinist and wingsuit BASE jumper herself.
The journey to the exit point was a feat of technical and physical brilliance. Climbing to Everest Camp IV multiple times to acclimatise was gruelling, but the toughest challenge lay ahead. The Khumbu Ice Fall, with its shifting ice and crevasses, is the supreme test of skill and endurance. Tim’s expertise guided the team through this treacherous landscape, leading them to the exit near Lhotse’s summit.
The next step, a 400-meter freefall and a ten-minute flight reaching speeds over 230 km/h enters a dimension of risk that few could comprehend. As they prepared for the jump, the notorious Himalayan weather asserted its force. A thick blanket of clouds collected on the south side of the mountain, reducing visibility to zero. The team was forced into a tense waiting game, monitoring their fast-diminishing oxygen supplies.
The data they had gathered and the experience they held indicated a narrow window for a safe jump. Every passing minute increased the danger. Tim, drawing on his years of experience and deep understanding of the risks, faced the hardest decision of his career. With a heavy, oxygen-starved heart, Tim made the call to abort the expedition. It was a testament to his technical knowledge and unwavering commitment to safety. The team’s disappointment was palpable, but they knew it was the right choice. The decision highlighted a powerful lesson: the importance of understanding and respecting the limits of human capability and nature’s unpredictability.
Tim’s decision to abort is not a failure but a triumph of human ingenuity and decision-making of the highest order. It showcases the strength it takes to step back based on hard data and scientific evidence. The world record remains unbroken, but the wisdom and experience gained is invaluable.
As they descended, it became clear that Tim would return to Lhotse. His dream was on pause, but not abandoned. One day, when the mountain and the weather align, he will say his customary “3,2,1, see ya!” and leap from Lhotse’s heights; not just breaking records, but embodying the true spirit of adventure in a quest to surface the science of risk.
INIGO PRESENTS
THE LOST EXIT
A gripping 3-part series that surfaces the extraordinary world of Tim Howell. If you’re looking for reckless, adrenaline filled stunts, we’re happy to say you’re in the wrong place. Ours is a uniquely scientific journey. We discover what it takes to climb the most challenging peaks and execute the most demanding jumps ever carried out in the sport. Where we’re heading, adrenaline alone, will only get you so far.
EPISODE ONE
Discover what drives Tim, exploring his unique relationship with risk, and the profound backstory that shaped him. Meet his wife and fellow adventurer, Ewa, as he sets his sights on an elusive challenge – locating the lost exit, once conquered by Patrick Kerber, a legendary wingsuit BASE jumper.
EPISODES
EPISODE TWO
PLANNING FOR THE UNKNOWN
Preparing for the ascent of Gross Spannort. Explore every facet, from route planning to cutting-edge software and data analysis. Gain insights into the technical aspects of Tim's wing suit and climbing gear. As the pieces come together, witness the intricate planning that precedes a monumental leap into the unknown.
EPISODE THREE
A LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN
As the weather takes an ominous turn during epic and treacherous climbs, the question looms – will Tim locate the lost exit and make the jump? Brace yourself for a thrilling finale as we witness a masterclass in risk management under the most extreme physical and psychological circumstances.
Base camp beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Kenya.
TIM'S STORY
Tim on Mount Kenya ‘finding exits’. A term used in the wing-suiting community for finding safe and viable places from which to jump.
What makes Tim unique in the wing-suiting community are his abilities as an alpinist. As a former Royal Marines Commando, he has acquired a level of training superior to that of most explorers and climbers. His profound understanding and experience in operating across most terrains and climates throughout the globe enable him to jump from places others simply cannot reach.
Packing the kit is an essential skill for any climber. The skill level increases dramatically when you consider that all the equipment Tim uses to climb and jump needs to be flown back down the mountain. Ski and tent poles, down the legs of the wingsuit. Crampons, between them, ropes down the arms, pick axes around the torso…Tim has even flown an entire tent down with him. As much as this seems incredulous and somewhat amusing, you can imagine how it might adversely affect the flying characteristics of the suit. Heavier weight means more speed, more speed means a harder landing.
KEVLAR ZIPPER
The most safety-critical part of the wingsuit. Parachute deployment exerts extremely high forces on the zippers.
PARAPAK
Parapak is used because of its high tear resistance to sharp rock. Tim needs to make the final ascent up the mountain to his jump zone wearing the suit.
We have commissioned a wingsuit for Tim in order to fully appreciate and understand its manufacture. Working closely with Phoenix Fly, we have designed a suit that visually highlights its most safety-critical aspects.
Phoenix Fly, a manufacturing company based in Ljubljana, Slovenia are at the bleeding edge of wingsuit technology. Their mission is to make the sport more accessible and so safer to wider audiences. Tim acts as a test pilot for them and aids in the technical innovation around the design of the different suits. Each suit has a different flying characteristic depending on its use.
Tim shortly after jumping from Lord Berkeley’s seat in the Scottish Highlands.
Most wingsuit fatalities occur by adopting the incorrect angle of attack (AOA). Telemetry from recovered equipment sadly indicates that average speeds fall significantly below the optimum, often by very large margins. The safety critical angle lies somewhere between 20 to 35 degrees to the horizon. On average, this allows for a forward distance of 2 meters for every meter of drop, generating the necessary speed to avoid obstacles or take evasive manoeuvres. We are working with Tim to keep reminding the wing-suiting community to put in place the necessary checks to ensure that AOA is properly considered in every flight.
Tim performing a recce of Aconcagua in the Andes mountain range in Argentina before climbing and jumping at an altitude of more than 6000m above sea level.
ICE WATER FREEDIVER
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VOLCANOLOGIST
