Basejumper.com - archive

I can't find a reference but I'm sure I've either read or been told that the mere possession of parachute equipment in Yosemite National Park is illegal.

I e-mailed them and asked since a skydiving friend had plans to drive through the park. Here is the response:

"There is no regulation against possessing a parachute in Yosemite. The regulation is related to using the parachute. If he's not going to use the parachute, it's not a problem to have it."

Has anyone had a different experience or response?

Walt

You can have a parachute on all you want you just can't use it.

Dood! They will rip you a new one. Got money for a lawyer and they will back off. Otherwise you're Farked. I tried to convince the Golden Knights to do it back before the turn of the century but even they wouldnt chance it.
Take care,
space

True story: two friends were pulled over in the early AM hours in one of the small towns OUTSIDE the park for running a stop sign. We had just jumped one of the big rocks and split outta there. Thier parachutes were in the back seat and the nosy cop saw them when approaching the vehicle. He Qed them about jumping in the park. Obviously nothing came of it, but just sayin' they know!!

If one of those asshole rangers finds a parachute in your possession, you may not get charged but you'll sure get fucked with.

They'll fuck with you if they recognize USPA stickers, I'm told by someone who would know.

But, they def won't arrest you just for gear. I've worn parachutes in front of a ranger, randomly, and was not placed in handcuffs.

Gotta ask. Why were you wearing gear in front of a ranger? Under some circumstances that could convey a "fuck you" attitude. I've learned that flunking the attitude test with LEOs can be a bad thing.

Walt

I was just moving it from my car to a cabin when a ranger walked by. I'm not so stupid as to antagonize police for no reason... anymore...

Do people say things in these forums just to start crap? Are you bored?

Seems like the rangers would be wasting their time doing that. I have a hard time imagining BASE jumpers going to Yosemite with USPA stickers on their cars.

Walt

Yea, they are wasting their time. they're rangers.

Oh ok dude, so how did it happen?
I actually didnt call you stupid, so dont put words in my mouth. I said you SOUND pretty dumb. Thats how it came off looking in your post.

+1. I like to put them stickers on toilet seats

i know it's fun and all to banter but it would be great to hear real stuff. i wish we had a hidden forum for discussing legal issues intimately, particularly one that could be easily hacked.

 
460, last I heard, it was not illegal to posses a rig in the park Short of kiting the canopy, it is not a crime of nonsensical proportions.

How that is interpreted by the Park LEO, who knows. But if you carry a rig, it's ok. ( I won't bother testing that theory).I have personally talked to a ranger when I was at the park with my Mom and my brother. My skydiving rig was in the trunk of the car.

I asked him straight up if it's ok to carry a concealed parachute, or a rig that contains a parachute.

Not a perfect quote but close enough:

"I'm not allowed to tell you my personal belief, but the way I interpret the rules, you can carry that around all you want. You just can't use it."


(Edited: because part of my reply referred to a post that's been removed from our view)

You could pack in El Cap meadow and wear your rig while walking around Curry Village if you wanted to. However you will likely be photographed and all that. Probably get questioned.

You would be surprised at how many dipshits have gone into the valley with stickers on their cars.

There used to be sort of a standing joke among jumpers way back when at Bridge Day.

When someone asked directions to get to the gym where registration was held, you would tell them the directions and then end with something like, "...and then turn into the parking lot that has all the cars with *no* skydiving stickers on them..."

Different ethic these days, I guess.

Walt

ethics never changed, they just evolved