Jumping to Base

Two base jumpers threw themselves off the top of the Niels Treschow House on Sunday, reaching the ground in four seconds. Although the building which houses the Faculty of History and Philosophy is a twelve-story building, the jump was probably the lowest base jump ever carried out in Norway. Terje Halvorsen, one of the two jumpers, says that the jump was extremely demanding, both because of the low height, and the many obstacles – including other houses and trees – which had to be cleared on the way. Astri Ottosen, representing the University, points out that anybody wishing to climb onto a university building\'s roof needs special permission, which would be refused to base jumpers.