Three adventurers have been found guilty of BASE jumping in Yosemite National Park, highlighting officials’ reminders that legal restrictions remain in effect even amid a government shutdown.
The National Park Service revealed last week that these individuals are now facing substantial fines and potential imprisonment after launching themselves from various rock formations within the park.
BASE jumping is a high-adrenaline sport where participants leap from significant heights equipped with parachutes.
The term BASE stands for the four types of structures from which jumps are typically made: Buildings, Antennas, Spans (such as bridges and arches), and Earth (like cliffs and mountains). Due to the associated risks, including serious injuries and fatalities, authorities banned the activity in the mid-1980s.
The National Park Service has stressed that violating laws can lead to severe consequences, regardless of the government shutdown, as parks continue to function with reduced staffing.
“We do not tolerate illegal activity in Yosemite National Park,” stated Yosemite National Park Superintendent Raymond McPadden.
‘Our law enforcement rangers remain efficient, effective and vigilant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The acronym used in BASE jumping stands for Buildings, Antennas, Spans (such as bridges, arches), and Earth (for instance cliffs, mountains) (Pictured: BASE jumper Dean Potter at Yosemite National Park before his death)
The National Park Service has announced that three people have been convicted of BASE jumping
‘These convictions demonstrate the professionalism and dedication of Yosemite’s protection team in upholding federal regulations and ensuring the safety of both visitors and first responders.’
The first conviction, Christopher Durell, was sentenced to 18 months of unsupervised probation, $600 in fines, and 40 hours of community service at a national park, according to the National Park Service.
Durell was caught base jumping on July 15, 2024, at Mirror Lake. Park goers had reported that Durrell had jumped from an area near North Dome.
North Dome overlooks Yosemite Valley and is an 8.8-mile round-trip hike. The elevation is 7,540 feet.
Durrell pleaded guilty and admitted jumping from the Porcelain Wall, a rock-climbing site at an elevation of 7,355 feet.
Joshua A. Iosue also pleaded guilty to jumping in the same area on July 15. He initially escaped authorities but was later identified and arrested two days later.
Iosue will face two days in jail, 24 months of unsupervised probation, and $2,150 in fines. He was also banned from entering the park during his probation.
David A. Nunn was convicted for jumping from El Capitan on July 21, 2020. Nunn’s equipment malfunctioned during the jump and collided with the wall before crashing.
The BASE jumpers convicted pleaded guilty and faced punishments ranging from community service, fines, and minimal jail time (Pictured: BASE jumpers in Yosemite in 2017)
The convictions come as the National Park Service has warned that they are still enforcing the law during the government shutdown (Pictured: BASE jumpers in Yosemite in 2017)
El Capitan’s walls are made of granite and are over 3,000 feet high, which is more than three times the height of the Eiffel Tower.
Emergency services rescued Nunn. He was sentenced to two days in jail, a year of unsupervised probation, $760 in fines, and $458.77 in restitution to cover the cost of his rescue.
The convictions come as fears of squatters and BASE jumpers have increased during the government shutdown.
John DeGrazio, who runs tours at Yosemite through the company YExplore Yosemite Adventures, told SFGate earlier this month that the park was like the ‘Wild Wild West.’
‘These people are counting on no enforcement because of the shutdown,’ he added.
An anonymous employee also told the outlet that only one wilderness ranger was covering the park during the shutdown.
Balin Miller (pictured) died climbing El Capitan on the first day of the federal shutdown
While livestreaming his climb, Miller fell to his death (pictured: screenshot of Miller on El Capitan during his final climb)
Influencer Balin Miller, 23, died on the first day of the shutdown while rock climbing El Capitan.
Miller’s mother told the Associated Press that he fell to his death as his climb was livestreamed.
His older brother, Dylan Miller, told the outlet that he was lead rope soloing a 2,400-foot route called Sea of Dreams.
This technique gave him a rope for protection, though experts warn it remains inherently risky.
Dylan said his brother had completed the climb and was likely hauling the rest of his gear when he rappelled to the end of his rope – and fell.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the National Park Service for comment on their staffing during the shutdown.
