Ever wonder what certain experiences are like? For example, ever think about what its like to win the Tour de France? Or to freedive? How about what its like to survive a parachute failure.

In an excellent series for Esquire, travel writer Frank Bures, profiles Mike Holmes, a very luck man who survived a parachute failure. One of the things I like about the article is how Bures breaks down the actually fall, summarizing Holmes feelings every thousand feet. A must read if you like skydiving or is interested in trying.

4,000 feet

I was about to open my first parachute when I realized there was a problem: I was spinning around. That wasn't normal. I pulled the release cable. Normally, this would fling me away from the parachute, and I'd have to regain stability and then open the reserve. But nothing changed. The chute was snagged.

3,000 feet

I was a spinning mess, falling fast. It was like something had a hold of me from my lower back and I was being twirled from that point. The more I tried to get on my back, the faster I would spin. My arms, legs, and head felt like they were being pulled away from me.

2,000 feet

I tried to get on my back so I could see what the problem was. I was looking at my altimeter. I remember seeing the lake. And the ground. And the car park. I did eighty-six rotations. Anyone could get dizzy in that situation, but something took over. I was aware of everything.