In preparation for the Reunion this summer, I thought I would instigate an official family inquiry into one of the most controversial tales of Iron Springs.The question is this: did Scott Rustand ever actually make his famed leap off of Dead Man 77 onto Flat Rock?
(I unearthed the photo to the left and scrupulously evaluated it for authenticity, only to conclude that, due to poor image quality, the issue remains in doubt. This guy looks a little to too thin to me.)
I want to investigate this matter using the most thorough scientific methods, by the rigorous application of modern physics, and by evaluating what effects such a jump would have on the human body.
I began to carefully calculate the forces and velocities involved, but I got lost somewhere after "Force=Mass x Acceleration." (It's been 10+ years since I took physics, fellas. Are Newtonian physics still applicable?)
Here are the the basic subquestions to be answered:
At what velocity would Scott have struck Flat Rock? With how much force? Would he have left a crater? What would have happened to his femurs?
Here are the proposed constants involved:
Height: 60 feet
Weight: 250 pounds
I'm looking for Matt, Ty, Adam or Drew to figure this out. I don't think Jeff can handle it. Definitely not the Mick.
Armed with this knowledge, I can then rationally evaluate if I should attempt to recreate this legendary leap this summer.
Let me know, guys.
6 comments:
Mark, you asked for the velocity that Scott would have been traveling when he hit flat rock. That is a question that I have pondered for many years, and to no avail. But I have been able to calculate a scenario that would be equivalent…If I were to stand by the stop sign where the old record is held for coasting into Iron Springs (I believe it is now the end of the white fence) and have someone else coast a loaded semi truck from Iron Springs, then the resulting impact would be approximately the same as Scott jumping from Dead Man 77. My conclusion is that it never happened because come on, no one could live through a collision with a semi, but then again there is another part of me that says Scott is one very tough man and that he survived the jump and now lives to tell of the glory involved. So I guess I am still struggling on what to believe.
I have made a few calculations. I think Ty will be able to do a much more thorough analysis of the situation. By that I mean that Ty understands this stuff a lot better than I do. Here is what I've got. If Mark's assumption of 60 ft is correct (I think it is probably less than that, but we will allow it to stand for simplicity's sake) that is equivalent to 18.29 meters. If we assume that Scott's starting velocity is zero then he would be free falling for 1.931 seconds all the time increasing his speed at 9.81 m/s2. This means that he would hit the ground at a velocity of 18.943 m/s. This is equivalent to 42.2 mph. I was trying to remember how to calculate the actual impact force or the impulse, but I think we would need more information in order to do that.
I am not sure whether or not Scott could do make the jump without hurting himself or not, but imagine this. Scott is strapped to a cement wall with his legs sticking out in front of him at a 90 degree angle. Now imagine a truck driving directly at Scott at a constant velocity of 42.4 mph. Scott is posed and ready for impact. What do you think the outcome will be?
I wasn't there for the original event, and sadly / fortunately won't be there this year (sadly 'cause I'll miss yas, but fortunately because my husband will be out of harms way should anyone get it into their head to suggest a competitive re-enactment of the jump -- you all know who you are!). But upon hearing the description and reading the comments, I wish to leave you with two words:
TERMINAL VELOCITY.
I know that it is not my opinion you are seeking, Mark, but I wish to add my two cents.
I think he did it. He did it and lived to tell the tale. This is a completely ignorant and baseless opinion, but I am going to stick to it. Scott must be one tough dude; I believe in him!
That's all.
Well, as an electrical engineer in college, I actually had a quiz in which this very question was asked. (different name but same scenario) As I recall, my answer was more philosophical in nature as I had no idea how to answer it.
I also remember failing the class but that is another story!!
But, I remember thinking, first of all, why would someone do such a thing? Has he got a screw loose or was he trying to impress a girl, or did he merely slip and fall, landing on his feet and then looked around and decided to appear as if he meant to do it.
It is obvious when you stand on flat rock and look down at the jump you would have to make, it is not possible to make that jump without ancillary equipment like springs on your feet or a parachute to soften the blow.
Scott is a fairly large man, so the impact would have crushed his knees into a mass of shattered bones and he would no be a crippled man, unable to move any part of his body. Since he walks just fine, I therefore come to the conclusion that this feat is an urban myth, perpetuated by those who dream of being able to do such a thing, but too scared to make the leap.
I might add, I also thought Tommy's record run of 2 minutes or so to the top of Top Rock from the Carson cabin was impossible but saw first hand a certain Garrett Rustand beat that record in something like 1 minute and 30 seconds, so it is clear anything is possible. I also postulate that the myth of someone sleeping on top rock and falling off into the trees below during the night is another such myth.
That is my two cents.
Ty, what say ye?
Dad
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