Thirst for adventure
Climbing in the Bernina/Bergell area of the Upper Engadine in Canton Graubünden© Kur- und Verkehrsverein St Moritz
Switzerland, with its mountains, bridges and dams is an ideal country for those to whom recreation means letting go - literally - of their everyday lives and trying out new sensations and new challenges.
Some visitors like to try out bungee jumping, which entails jumping from a bridge, platform or suchlike structure, attached only by a rubber rope. One popular spot for this is the Verzasca dam in Canton Ticino, made famous by the James Bond film "Golden Eye", where the hero's jump has been voted the "best film stunt of all times."
A considerably more dangerous activity which has gained in popularity in recent years is base jumping: jumping from a cliff or tall building using a parachute. Some of the valleys of Switzerland lend themselves to this activity and attract jumpers from home and abroad.
"On the rock face, you're in total concentration, your body climbs, or your soul, there is nothing else, just the rock face and you. When I'm climbing, I forget everyday life, that is another dimension, work has nothing to do with me personally."
Paul, 22, on rockclimbing
"You stand on a bridge and there's a 50 meter (160 feet) drop below. You jump like you're in a trance, it's like a shock, then you get the feeling of happiness, you feel your pulse to the tips of your fingers. Nothing happens at work, I sit it out, life begins afterwards."
Anna, 19, on bungee jumping
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