Corbet's: Good to the Last Drop
Teton County resident Tim Flanagan has announced his intent to be the last person to “drop” into Corbet’s Couloir via the existing tram at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The planned “last” drop will take place on Sunday October 1st, 2006 around 5:00 PM, Mountain Time.
Flanagan said that in a valley where “firsts” are always being touted, “Being the last to do something is a really big deal.” He went on to say that, “Nobody living here in Jackson’s Hole understands the importance of being last. Everyone is always trying to be the first. I want to break that mold! And everyone here is all about self promotion. Who could deny me this deep desire to do something so bold and selfish?”
Originally from Granby, Colorado, Flanagan is a former ski shop owner who moved his family to Jackson four years ago. At 47 years of age, Flanagan has been suffering from mid-life crisis due to what he feels was brought on by the competitive nature of the local population. “This is my way of contributing to that competitive spirit without having to stand in line behind all the other great skiers living here,” he said. Flanagan is currently self-unemployed.
Flanagan has been planning and training for the “drop” all summer. Equipment selection has been one of his biggest challenges. “The right skis and boots will be extremely important to my success. I must have confidence in how the skis will perform at the take-off and landing. During the drop itself, the equipment is secondary.”
“The second critical component is the wax. If I miss the wax, this could get really sticky,” he said. When asked what wax he will use, Flanagan stated that, “It’s a secret formula being developed by Steve Shea, the local Rossignol Tech Rep. I can tell you that it’s a mixture of
WD-40, Toko Silver from 1962 and Alf Engen “Black” from 1974.” He went on to explain that getting the wax right depends of the temperature of the rocks and tundra both going in and coming out on the landing.
Part of his training has involved jumping off a second story balcony and landing on the driveway below. The results are obvious when you watch him walk. However, Flanagan said that, “pain is a big part of the training process. If you can’t take the pain, there will be no gain!”
What inspired Flanagan to make this jump? “My personal savior,” he said. “Robert Plant has always been my inspiration, he is my personal savior. Heck, he was the last lead singer for Led Zeppelin, the last guy to have John Bonham as back-up. Those are major “lasts” as far as I’m concerned.” According to Flanagan this is also why he chose “Stairway to Heaven” as the music he will be listening to when he makes the jump.
