last look, national geographic
DESCRIPTION
From National Geographic Adventure magazineTRANSCRIPT
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THE SCENE: A land diver takes the leap on the South Pacific island of Pentecost in Vanuatu.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Tim Clayton
THE SPECS: Mamiya 7 with standard80mm lens, ISO 125, f/5.6, 1/500 second
Centuries before the first bungeejumper launched himself off a bridge,the inhabitants of Pentecost Island wereland diving: climbing handmade towersup to 80 feet tall, wrapping a couple ofjungle vines around their ankles, andpitching themselves out toward theearth below. A tradition believed to dateback more than 1,500 years, its thecenterpiece of a ceremony that ensuresa successful harvestand proves onesmanhood. (These days the sport is alsoperformed for visiting tourists, a practicethat helps sustain local communities.)Diversmen and boys, some as youngas fivewalk for days from all parts ofthe island to designated sites, wherethey must receive permission to plungefrom the local land diving doctor. Still,its not uncommon for a participant tofracture a boneor worseat the endof his eight-story free fall. JESS HOLL
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94 A D V E N T U R ECheck out video of the land diversat ngadventure.com.
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