Switzerland, Team ILL Vision Europe Tour 2009

Directly after The “T” Mobile demo, Avery Badenhop lead Team ILL VISION to Switzerland for some BASE currency and skills practice armed with brand new Sevens by Asylum Designs. Five days in Lauterbrunnen netted an average 12 jumps per person despite three days of iffy weather and rain.

The highlight of the trip came on day four as the weather broke into bright blue skies. Professional mountain guide Martin Schürmann, of Mountaineering For Everyone, lead the group to the top of the Eiger Mushroom via Air Glacier’s fast and powerful helicopter. Team members made two jumps from the Eiger mushroom and successfully pulled off a 9-way flock.

The majority of jumps took place within the Lauterbrunnen Valley utilizing trains and cable cars and quick walks to exit points. The High Nose and Klettersteig easy access exit points makes them very popular jumps and this summer season was as busy as ever.

Even with two months notice the Team found it hard to find lodging and lucked out packing 10 guys into a few rooms at the familiar and comfortable Oberland Hotel ran by Ursula and Mark Nolan.

In the middle of the trip the team’s presence caught the attention of a Reuters news crew who followed the team their last day of jumping interviewing team member Damien Dykman. The story focused on BASE jumping in the valley and the views and impact on jumpers, farmers and tourism. Stay tuned here for the breaking story.

Many of Swiss’s biggest BASE jumping stars showed up including Matt Gerdes, of Ozone, who helped the team in planning and execution of the Eiger jump. Geraldine Fashnacht even made an appearance. Geraldine is a very well known professionally sponsored snowboarder and her sponsorship has carried over to her BASE jumping career. The elusive and busy Andy West was spotted at the exit points a few times as well as professional climber Dean Potter.

Enjoy the pics. More to come on a professional gallery soon.