Photos by Tim Parrant.
Alter Ego Adventures, a skydiving travel company owned by Curt and Jeannie Bartholomew and Timothy Parrant, has once again pushed the boundaries with a truly unforgettable skydiving expedition to Bolivia! Project leads Parrant and Matthias Walde helped the team—the Bartholomews, legendary HALO (high-altitude, low opening) operators Paul Henry and Nadia De Baere, ground crew and social specialist Myriam Tobollik and event goers Daniel Caravanis, Reid Garton and Elliot Gunther—navigate the challenges of the January 25-February 4 event, making the impossible possible.
The Salt Flats
The first phase of the expedition took place over Salar de Uyuni, perched at an altitude of 12,000 feet above sea level, where the thin air transformed each breath into a challenge. With the jumpers exiting at around 21,000 feet AGL from a Cessna 210, the equipment provided and managed by the De Baers’ company, Skydive2Halo, became their lifeline. As the sun rose over the pure white abyss, the participants felt as if they were jumping onto a different planet. With the salt flats acting like a giant mirror, they could see the clouds surrounding them also reflected below them. It was a unique, unforgettable sensation.
Every jump was different, and the salt flats never looked the same. In the early mornings, incredible hues of amber and peach painted the sky, with the glistening colors reflected over the flats. From hop-and-pops to belly jumps and high pulls, the group put together a variety of skydives, and they actually hoped for rain, which accentuated the ethereal mirror effect.
Due to the extreme high altitude, everyone used larger-than-normal wings (which had surprisingly good openings) but still achieved considerable swoop distances while landing straight in! Garton even competed for distance against nine-time world champion Curt Bartholomew, and it’s still debatable as to who went farther.
One of the highlights of the trip was the gourmet lunch set up right in the middle of the salt flats! The group enjoyed a full luxury dining experience with gorgeous views and then headed out to see the sights, which included giant salt sculptures and salt mazes in the middle of the flats. Even the hotels were constructed with salt embedded in the bricks.
Into the Amazon
After conquering Uyuni, the group shifted its focus to the lush heart of the Bolivian Amazon. The jumps—carried out in special collaboration with nearby drop zone Paracaidismo Santa Cruz—demanded full focus on accuracy. Participants navigated through dense jungles and winding rivers, and landed their parachutes just meters away from curious caimans and piranhas lining the riverbanks. Rescue boats were standing by and ready to assist. The distinct sounds and sights of the Amazon (not an everyday DZ experience) amplified the excitement of each jump.
Throughout the event, the team awoke each morning to make amazing jumps after late nights filled with laughter and camaraderie, fueled by the rich flavors of local Bolivian cuisine. They immersed themselves in the Bolivian way of life, formed bonds with the locals and shared stories and laughter that transcended language. This expedition was not just about the jumps; it was about the shared experiences and memories that will forever be etched in their hearts.
Alter Ego Adventures proved that with the right blend of preparation, teamwork and passion, even the most ambitious of skydiving dreams can be achieved. To make it happen, the company partnered closely with the Bolivian military, whose full support ensured the success of this special project. A moment that the group will forever cherish was when members of the Bolivian Military removed and presented them with their personal patches to thank them for their partnership and friendship throughout the expedition. The expedition into Uyuni and the Amazon will undoubtedly resonate as one of the most amazing adventures Alter Ego Adventures has ever embarked upon, leaving them eager for their next challenge.
About the Author
Jeannie Bartholomew, D-30638, is a USPA National Director and a co-owner of Alter Ego Adventures, the Alter Ego Project and the United States Canopy Piloting Association. She has made more than 12,000 jumps and is an international champion in canopy piloting.