Help to legalize BASE jumping in US National Parks

Ok. Not because I think base jumping is a good idea but because I support a person's right to do whatever they choose if it doesn't harm others.

bighomieflockOk. Not because I think base jumping is a good idea but because I support a person's right to do whatever they choose if it doesn't harm others.

this. It comes down to their decision, and they should not have to worry about the police on their way down. There was actually a death directly due to him trying to avoid police.

It's their decision....it's their life.

^ yeah like everyone said above, its really all about people doing whatever the fuck they want. If someone wants to huck themselves off of massive cliffs and fly like birss, more power to them.



instead of the forest service and law enforcement going after people who aren't hurting others, they should probably crack down on dipshit tourists that litter and treat our national parks like shit, and have no concept of respecting nature at all. Nothing ever happened to that dude who knocked over the rock in goblin valley. Shit like that is a much bigger issue than dudes just trying to have some fun.

base jumping is dumb

jiveturkeybase jumping is dumb

so is dictating what people do. you sound like a pussy

I wouldn't say it should be legal, but it should just be a simple fine and not strictly enforced. It reminds me of guys on motorcycles who get pulled over at a speed that would cost them their license, jail time, felony, etc just because they were going 100 in a 70. The punishment is too much, and gives too much reason for these types of people to do something stupid like try to get away and get into even more danger.

I don't know what the exact punishment is for base jumping in national parks, but apparently bad enough for people to jump into a river with strong currents while their chute is still attached.

CoreyTrevorI wouldn't say it should be legal, but it should just be a simple fine and not strictly enforced. It reminds me of guys on motorcycles who get pulled over at a speed that would cost them their license, jail time, felony, etc just because they were going 100 in a 70. The punishment is too much, and gives too much reason for these types of people to do something stupid like try to get away and get into even more danger.

I don't know what the exact punishment is for base jumping in national parks, but apparently bad enough for people to jump into a river with strong currents while their chute is still attached.

It's jail time, a $2000 fine, and all your gear is confiscated. A parachute alone is $1500.

Definatat ely not something that most people can swing, and you don't want to get caught.

On one hand, I absolutely support people's rights to do whatever the heck they want regardless of what happens to them.

On the other hand, it's the park service people or other first responders are the ones peeling bodies off the ground when things go bad. I understand why they want to make it illegal. No one wants to have to deal with the clean-up. Accidents still happen.

I think it's a tough line to balance.

saskskierOn one hand, I absolutely support people's rights to do whatever the heck they want regardless of what happens to them.

On the other hand, it's the park service people or other first responders are the ones peeling bodies off the ground when things go bad. I understand why they want to make it illegal. No one wants to have to deal with the clean-up. Accidents still happen.

I think it's a tough line to balance.

You also have to realize that people will do it anyways and have been. Many base jumpers have died trying to get away from park service, drowning in rivers etc. They still have to recover the bodies then too. Just let em do it

SourSteezleYou also have to realize that people will do it anyways and have been. Many base jumpers have died trying to get away from park service, drowning in rivers etc. They still have to recover the bodies then too. Just let em do it

Many or just one? I'm not saying it hasn't happened to more than one, but I've only heard of the one who died in Yosemite.

SourSteezleso is dictating what people do. you sound like a pussy

Ur a pussy

Sean Leary. Dean Potter. Graham Hunt. All three of these guys made their final jumps after sunset in low light conditions, all of them were attempting incredibly technical lines. All had hundreds if not thousands of jumps in Yosemite and were very experienced at jumping in backcountry terrain. All three were attempting recently discovered lines that had only been flown previously a hand full of times. If you choose to jump in low light conditions, that's your choice and no one elses, no one is forcing you. That being said, there is already very slim margins in BASE, why have old outdated laws in place which have the potential to cloud rational decision making and possibly add more risk to an already high stakes pursuit?

My problem with base jumping is that if someone jumps and dies, they are forcing a group of people (rescue squad/clean up crew) to go out of their way to clean up the mess (an exploded body), possibly permanently scaring those individuals for life. I don't think that's something national parks should have to deal with. It seems like a selfish act when looking at it from that perspective, although it is an incredible sport, just not worth the risk in my opinion. (call me pussy but YOU don't base jump and if you do, congrats, try not to die)

saskskierOn one hand, I absolutely support people's rights to do whatever the heck they want regardless of what happens to them.

On the other hand, it's the park service people or other first responders are the ones peeling bodies off the ground when things go bad. I understand why they want to make it illegal. No one wants to have to deal with the clean-up. Accidents still happen.

I think it's a tough line to balance.

Agreed, Its dangerous scrapping bodies off the rocks from a heli. What happens when someone gets hit by a dude who's shoot didnt open? or the kit who watches a body explode on the ground next to him. Its a big world, they dont seem to have a problem finding places right now, No on the parks.

MerrrickMy problem with base jumping is that if someone jumps and dies, they are forcing a group of people (rescue squad/clean up crew) to go out of their way to clean up the mess (an exploded body), possibly permanently scaring those individuals for life. I don't think that's something national parks should have to deal with. It seems like a selfish act when looking at it from that perspective, although it is an incredible sport, just not worth the risk in my opinion. (call me pussy but YOU don't base jump and if you do, congrats, try not to die)

first responders choose their occupation to do just that: help people that are fucked in the middle of nowhere. this sounded like a fox news thread post. the fact that people could be sad after seeing your dead body stop you from doing alot of stuff eh? i dont base jump but that shit is gnar and anything thats super gnar has to be a little illegal right?

regulate it, mark the difficulty of jumps, ensure you have a license to base jump and other safety measures.

MerrrickMy problem with base jumping is that if someone jumps and dies, they are forcing a group of people (rescue squad/clean up crew) to go out of their way to clean up the mess (an exploded body), possibly permanently scaring those individuals for life. I don't think that's something national parks should have to deal with. It seems like a selfish act when looking at it from that perspective, although it is an incredible sport, just not worth the risk in my opinion. (call me pussy but YOU don't base jump and if you do, congrats, try not to die)

I have 700+ BASE jumps without any injury. Skiing I have broken my collar bone, sternum, and wrist.

First responders can speak for themselves they certainly don't need words put in their mouth as to how it will affect them. As a generalization, they are usually brave people that pursue passions in the outdoors and understand why we do what we do. I have never met anyone on any SAR team who was biased towards jumpers. I've put time into rescues and volunteered, also every year BASE jumpers donate thousands of dollars in Moab to the Grand County search and rescue. Why don't you hear about that in the mainstream media? Why do they never feature people like me who walk down when it's too windy or if they are not feeling right?

The vast majority of the population is convinced we are thrill seeking adrenaline junkies. Every news headline is written when we die and uses these words over and over. How many of you critiquing us have ever seen a jump or met a jumper? The media has you guys on a string like they do with a vast majority of Americans on political issues. Getting a highly detached sensationalized one sided story.

BASE jumping isn't illegal. It was never outlawed for anyone's safety or outlawed at all. The law that they use to charge us is called aerial delivery. It was enacted before BASE jumping even became a thing to prevent poachers and squatters from resupplying by air, but because some judge said he interpreted to mean the same thing it stuck. Now I'm not saying BASE jumping shouldn't be illegal in certain places but a broad law not attached to any fair justice process shouldn't be blanketed over any population. Just like Joe Schmoe who has never left NYC probably isn't going to be a very good judge on the safety of backcountry skiers in Colorado. His perspective is based in total ignorance just like most of your opinions are. The problem is too many people are too proud to admit their ignorance and cast their opinions based on judgement and speculation.

I pay my taxes, I volunteer, I approach BASE jumping with a ton of respect, and I am sick of having to justify everything I do to everyone. I understand why people go crazy in this world and what it's like to have a majority of the population despise what you do. I have a passion and all I want to do is fly my wingsuit and not have to worry about being taken to jail. I don't want to die and I greatly respect my impact on other people. All I'm asking for is to be left the fuck alone.