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A Bag of Crushed Bones: Getting ‘Back to Normal’ After BASE-Jumping Injury

After a BASE-jumping accident shattered his feet, Ian Mitchard struggles to return to the sport he loves.
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If you love outdoor photography, you’ve probably seen epic images of BASE jumpers using wing suits to soar through majestic desert canyons.

It’s an intoxicating, seductive sport — as well as an extremely dangerous one. Outdoor athlete Ian Mitchard fell in love with BASE jumping, especially in the gorgeous landscapes near Moab. But Mitchard’s life changed dramatically when he suffered a terrible paragliding accident that left his feet “a bag of crushed bones,” according to an interview with Telluride News.

Through a series of surgeries and a long healing process, “Back to Normal” chronicles Mitchard’s attempt to return to the skies.

“Normal went out the window when I hit the ground,” Mitchard says in the film.

Everybody loves a great comeback story. Don’t miss this one.

Runtime: 20 minutes

Tandem BASE Jumping in Moab: How to Take the Leap

Tandem BASE jumping is open for business in Moab, Utah. For just under $1,000, you can strap onto an instructor and leap off of a cliff in the desert. Read more…

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