Nylon lines put Lauterbrunnen base jumpers at risk

A fifth incident involving tightly stretched nylon lines in the Lauterbrunnen Valley since September has raised concern for air sports enthusiasts, SRF reported. The lines have been found near take-off and landing areas used by paragliders and base jumpers, with the latest incident reported on Saturday.

Lauterbrunnen mayor Karl Näpflin said the incidents appeared to target base jumpers more than paragliders or speed flyers. The latest line was found at a base-jumping launch platform.

The lines have been found about 1.5 metres above the ground. Näpflin said a collision during landing could cause serious cuts to the face, neck or hands, particularly at high speed. A line at a launch point could also cause an uncontrolled jump or a fall. He said the lines were usually put up at night and urged residents to stay alert.

The municipality is working with landowners, farmers who maintain landing areas and the Swiss Base Association. Näpflin said base jumping, paragliding and speed flying are recognised sports in the municipality, and that banning them would be difficult to enforce. He said the municipality condemned the sabotage, adding that those responsible were putting lives at risk.

Näpflin said the sport was not a significant economic driver. Around 30,000 jumps are made by several hundred base jumpers, he said, though participants are among the visitor groups that spend money locally.