New River Gorge Bridge Celebrates 40 Years

A crowd of thousands gathered on Oct. 21 as the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia celebrated its 40th year balancing with nature.

During the annual Bridge Day, people can rappel, skydive and participate in high lining, an activity where people ride along a speed-controlled zipline with belays. The skydivers, known as BASE jumpers, leapt over 800 feet into the New River Gorge with parachutes designed for rapid deployment. The first BASE jumpers were present at this bridge in 1979, just two years after construction was completed.

— Rachel Pressley

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