I think it was a good idea.

Risky but doable. Ha! I recall taking parachute lessons years ago. They told us in the event of a tree landing to secure one foor on top of the other to keep legs closed and protect where it hurts most. But with D.B. Cooper, those thick wood would offer cover and when people think parachute landing sites, they think open spaces. I'm like SST, I think he got away with it. I also think landing in the thick woods was very key.