Blog

Jungfrau

• July 2011
• Fly Travel

The Jungfrau jump in Lauterbrunnen is one I have always dreamed of doing. In past visits, I didn’t think I was ready for it. It is known for having a short start, 190 meters. This means that you have to exit correctly and get your suit flying immediately because it’s less than 600 feet to impact, so it’s not a jump to do if you are uncertain about your launch.

We collected a group of friends last week in Lauterbrunnen, from California, Colombia, Utah, DC, and Switzerland, and hiked up on a beautiful day to the Jungfrau exit point. The 3 and a half hour hike is one of the most gorgeous I’ve ever done, with views of the mountains in all directions, plenty of belled goats and sheeps along the way, and waterfalls created by the high glaciers so you can just fill your bottle and drink all the way up. The hike alone is absolutely worth traveling to Switzerland to experience–so I knew this jump was going to become a favorite.

At the top, we all ate, geared up, discussed the possible flight lines, and then one by one flew safely down the mountain. It was amazing to fly for so long, and to see so much terrain, and amazing to be doing this jump at a time when I had the confidence in myself to enjoy it. I was very glad I’d waited until now 🙂

Yesterday Mario and I went back up together, on a more stormy, ominous looking day, and had an even better time flying, knowing the terrain a little better on this second visit. The Jungfau is absolutely my new favorite wingsuit jump so far. If only we could just move it to Moab….

Today we are in Chamonix, visiting my friend Liv Sansoz. Our group of jumpers has scattered off in small groups to different countries for the past few days, but we will regroup together now for some French flying adventures!