#48 - Avery Badenhop, Dennis McGlynn, and Harry Parker: Team Ill Vision

In this episode, Matt Blank talks with Avery Badenhop, Dennis McGlynn, and Harry Parker, who were known during the 90s as the “three-headed dragon” of BASE and founders of the infamous Team Ill Vision. This team has been a timeless model for outlaw extreme sports gangs living an endless summer lifestyle. The leader of Team Ill Vision, Avery, is the quintessential counterculture athlete, creating a unique lifestyle that would inspire generations of jumpers to go all in and totally cut away from the mainstream. Dennis McGlynn, one of the first jumpers to perform BASE stunts for film and television, is also a pioneer of manufacturing BASE-specific gear. He was one of the original FJC instructors and the first to be prosecuted by the federal government for BASE jumping. Harry Parker, the man with the perspective, has been an active jumper and photographer for more than three decades, participating in and capturing some of our community’s historic moments. Harry helped put a face and voice to the BASE jumping lifestyle. Their team created a culture around the pursuit of BASE jumping, opening the first public events, competitions, and demonstrations. Their access efforts helped open jumps on BLM land, the Perrine Bridge, and recrafted Bridge Day in West Virginia, as well as forged paths to international BASE events, which have continued to grow over several decades.

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Producers: Laurent Frat, Matt Blank, Mark Stockwell 
Host: Matt Blank
Sound mixing: Mark Stockwell
Music credit: Staccato Strings by Andreas Beats 

Timestamps: 

00:39 Avery Badenhop: The Counterculture Athlete 00:51 Dennis McGlynn: Pioneer of BASE Stunts and Gear 01:07 Harry Parker: The Man with the Perspective 01:22 Creating a Culture Around BASE Jumping 03:23 The Evolution of BASE Jumping Gear and Techniques 09:22 The Dark and Dangerous Early Days of BASE Jumping 24:55 The Transition to Legal and Sponsored BASE Jumping Events 28:52 The Art of BASE Jumping: Performance, Evolution, and Community 40:49 Cliff Camp '94: A Pivotal Moment in BASE Jumping History 44:14 The Legal Battle Over Aerial Delivery 46:47 The Cliff Camp Incident: A Tragic Turning Point 50:06 Learning from Mistakes: The Importance of Gear Awareness 54:07 From Legal Battles to Building a BASE Jumping Legacy 57:29 The Rise of Team Ill Vision and BASE Jumping Competitions 01:09:47 Navigating the World of Sponsorship and Event Organization 01:21:19 The Impact of Legal Troubles on Personal Life and the Sport 01:25:01 Surviving and Thriving in BASE Jumping: Lessons Learned 01:33:48 The Evolution of Safety and Community in BASE Jumping 01:34:00 The Shift in BASE Jumping Culture: From Tight Crews to Independence 01:34:30 Finding Community and Collaboration in a Solo Sport 01:36:13 The Challenges and Rewards of BASE Jumping Hiatus 01:38:24 Identity and Lifestyle: The Essence of Being a BASE Jumper 01:41:17 The Double-Edged Sword of Currency in BASE Jumping 01:54:03 The Impact of Gear and Training on BASE Jumping Sustainability 01:57:40 The Role of Community and Mentorship in BASE Jumping 02:08:26 Reflecting on Careers, Sacrifices, and Gifts in BASE Jumping