I have just watched an amazing programme on Channel 4 about, possibly, the world's top base jumper, Jeb Corliss.

He has taken base jumping to a new level with a jump from a helicopter 600m above the peak of the Matthorn. He flew right down the ridge of the mountain. At times he was within 2m of the mountain at almost 300kph.

Here is a You Tube of one of his earlier base jumps at Lauterbrunnen. (Almost worthy of Fail of The Day) and some other wing-suit jumpers flying from The Eiger. This looks easy in comparison to the Matterhorn jump.

We watched this too on C4 and it was nothing short of breathtaking to watch. Takes daredevil to a whole new level.

These guys did a jump of Grindlewald last year and buzzed some people in a mountain restaurant before disappearing over the edge of the cliff. Needless to say they got some grief from the local gemeinde.

Watch this film from about 1:20 on to see how close they are going with proximity flying. Could you imagine driving up that pass road and seeing some guy fall past!!!



I read recently that the fatality rate for base jumping is 1 death per 70 participants annually!!! That is a risk I for sure would not be willing to take.

Are there any BASE jumpers on EF?

Fixed that for you. If there ever was there is a 1 in 70 chance that they won't be logging in anymore!

I also watched this documentary on Channel 4, CRAZY !!

I am glad this thread did not move in your direction.

I thought it takes stupidity and recklessness to a whole new level. Neither does this sport seem to reach masses, nor any direct link to improving people's healths, in all likelihood they took cable cars to the top, just to jump like idiots. I wish more people do not respect or take up this sport.

I suggest you learn a little bit about the sport. I agree that it is crazy and to a certain extent reckless but it is their life choice to participate. In some cases yes they do use cable cars, but quite often the jumpers need to hike to get to their exit points. If you google Ueli Gegenschatz you will see that despite being a base jumper he is also a great athlete. He has done things like climb and jump Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau in one day, he has climbed and jumped the Materhorn and done other highly athletic things to practice the sport too. Also to survive in base jumping you need amazing coordination. The people who take part are generally skilled in other outdoor sports too to be able to partake in base-jumping in the first place. Add to that the demands of holding your arms out in a wing suit and it certainly becomes a very physical activity.

Don't get me wrong, I think the sport is nuts, and think you need a few screws loose to participate but they do deserve some form of respect as athletes even if they are slightly unhinged.

I think he would remain a healthier person if he stuck to climbing mountains.

Of course, it looks like this "sport" requires a lot of coordination, reflexes etc, no one's doubting that. And it may be that many of them are superfit.

Just that I personally feel most of these guys (atleast significantly more than in other sports) have troubled personal lives or suicidal tendencies, so try as much as I can, I can't "respect" them. Of course I have a lot of respect for people who risk their lives to save a fellow mountaineer;s life, rescuing people etc.

Somehow "athlete" was not the first word that struck me when I saw those clips.

They probably feel the same about someone who "Works in Zurich but stays in Zug".

We were talking about base jumping vis-a-vis other sports, I thought

I think (but could be wrong) that what Patxi was trying to get at is that they are probably very happy with their lives. They are doing something they love to do and would much rather be doing that then sitting in an office or commuting from Zug to Zurich!!!

They participate in their sport of choice for the same reasons that people cycle, ski, snowboard or do any form of adventure sport. I don't think any of them are suicidal, probably not scared of death, but certainly not suicidal. There is a difference.

It's not for me, but it is their decision and I can fully understand why they do it.

Sure, of course (I hope), it is their money, their time, their choices to do what they want to do. I am sure they wouldn't do it if they didn't enjoy it.

Now if you want to say wingsuit jumping in the same breath as cycling and skiing please do so. I hope you aren't doing it against your conscience though.

I have a problem if people adulate them, call them breathtaking or something like that. If society stops gushing over their exploits, atleast those of them who do it for publicity will stop doing it, and that may reduce the number of deaths. Was my point. As for those who truly enjoy doing it, possibly against their families wishes, each to one's own!

I am not as well read or exposed to sport as you are, but I just read this in the opening post of this thread:

The thrill he gets from leaping from the world's highest buildings and mountains is the only way to free himself from his dark moods and suicidal tendencies:

Sitting in an office 8h each day...
Or doing something you absolutely love as often as you possibly can with ONLY a 1 in 70 chance of death?
One can almost wonder where the insanity is.

For me, that's not a difficult choice. And I admire people brave enough to leave the norm and follow their passion.

/Ted

I agree with you, but personally consider the risk a bit too high. to each their own, but like I said despite the fact that it is a bit nuts I can understand why they do it.


@ Niranjan, when I was 18 I was told by a doctor I had to give up the sport that I had been doing since I was a child. I had a passion for this sport that went beyond anything else I knew (still does even though I don't get to do it much). Despite the doctor telling me there was a risk of death, my life without that sport was so incomprehensible that six weeks after surgery I was back doing it again. For me that risk was worth taking (better odds then base jumping for sure!!!) I knew enough about my sport and the illness that had got me to that point to rate my survival chances pretty high if something went wrong. For many people sport is a part of their life. It doesn't matter what the sport is, its different things for different people.

As for the publicity thing its a chicken and egg. I think they would do the sport anyway, they do it for the love not the publicity. The publicity is a means to an end. It allows them to get sponsors so they can afford to do the sport. They'd be doing it anyway but with money from publicity they can afford better equipment and arguably make the sport safer.

Saw this last night to and whilst undoubtably awe inspiring, the fact that the guy was a such a narcissistic prick took the edge off it a bit for me.

Mrs nbp said she'd seen him being an a'hole on some SF programme about jumpers in Lauterbrunnen a few months ago too

The guy last night on the doco said himself that he got into it whist actively seeking ways to commit suicide.

And all swedes are blonde and blue eyed?

If you re-read the various posts & quotes properly & you might be able to see why your comment is a little bit silly.