Turkey Boogie 2016

November 28th, 2016

By, Zach Heesaker
Adventurers from around the world gathered in the desert this
past week to B.A.S.E. jump and highline the cliffs surrounding
the town of Moab, Utah; this event, called the Turkey Boogie,
has occurred every year since 2000 and helps to raise money for
Search and Rescue with accuracy contests, raffles, and parties.
Jimmy Pouchert and Marta Empinotti of Apex B.A.S.E. begin the event as a fun way to get together with
friends and explore the Moab desert; Jimmy said the first event only drew around a dozen or so B.A.S.E.
jumpers and the event has exploded since then, with over 500 people attending the event this year.
Sketchy Andy Lewis and his crew The Moab Monkeys have increased the popularity of the event
tenfold in the last few years with their building of The Spacenet, a woven hammock that sits hundreds of
feet above the canyon floor, and gives BASE jumpers and slackliners an unique platform to pursue their

sports on.
Turkey Boogie 2016 ended up raising more than $30,000 dollars for Search and Rescue this year; Apex
B.A.S.E. held raffles to give away their brand new Flik 2 and Lynx canopies, Sarah Taz made and sold
hundreds of Turkey Boogie t-shirts, dozens of jumpers participated in an accuracy contest off of
Tombstone, and hundreds attended a massive party at the end of the Turkey Boogie. The party at the end
of Turkey Boogie took place in the middle of Kane Creek Canyon with DJ Anthony Motto and DJ Rook
headlining the event; fire dancers, light shows, and flamethrowers accompanied the music. The event
focused on raising money for Search and Rescue due to the amount of help the B.A.S.E. and highlining
communities get when things dont go according to plan. During the course of Turkey Boogie, Search and
Rescue had to respond to several different incidents including four cliff strikes.
Dave Juntunen (also known as Superdave) was one of the participants that had a cliff strike and had the
most severe injuries during Turkey Boogie. Dave ended up breaking his femur, tibia, fibula, and ankle on
his right side. B.A.S.E. jumpers in the Mineral Bottom area worked together to stabilize Daves condition

and get helicopter support after the

cliff strike. Dave had this to say
about the experience, Jump your
own jump but ask yourself if youre
willing to pay the price. I assessed it
and made a decision and am now
paying the price. Dave expects to
attend Turkey Boogie 2017.
Despite the injuries, Turkey Boogie
2016 raised more money for Search
and Rescue than any previous
Turkey Boogie. Many talented
individuals came together to jump,
highline, party, and celebrate the
community that B.A.S.E. jumpers
and slackliners call family. Turkey Boogie ended on the morning of Sunday the 27th with a post-party
brunch and trash clean-up around Moab. Turkey Boogie is a key event for public relations with the
B.A.S.E. and highlining communities and enables adventures to continue to explore and enjoy the
environment that surrounds Moab.