Space and Place for BASE: On the Evolution of a BASE‐Jumping Attraction Image
Generate an AI Snapshot to get a quick, structured summary of this paper.
A concise AI-generated summary of the paper will appear here once you click Generate AI Snapshot.
Abstract
BASE jumping is an extreme sport activity that employs rare natural or man‐made resources from where the participants can legally leap and perform a free flight before landing on the ground, assisted by opening their parachute canopies at the last possible moment. The 1000‐metre high Kjerag Cliff in Lysefjord, Norway was first used for this sport in 1994. Since then, it has achieved a position as a “Mecca” for BASE jumpers worldwide, resulting in increased traffic of BASE jumpers and observers to the area. This article discusses how the image of this attraction has evolved. Data were collected from documents, printed sources, videos, and mainly from interviews with participants and central providers of services and support. The strong image that has emerged is built upon the exciting experiences of participants and observers, the paradoxical effects of accidents and fatalities, the media, and the strong impressions provided by watching this wild nature. A key component is the communication within the BASE‐jumping community by word of mouth, e‐mail, pictures, and amateur video recordings.