Gonna base jump Yosemite

[guest]

Hi out there

Ill be BASE jumping Yosemite this weekend at Sunday, and I invite you all to come and watch, and perhaps even join me...

Ill be jumping around noonish, lets cross our fingers for good weather :)

John Stefano

[guest]

Hey John,

I'll be there too. Don't tell anyone else, I don't wanna get caught.

M2

[guest]

Just in case the park rangers don't believe us, i plan on doing a 20 sec with a wing suit to break in some new aspects to El Cap. I invite the rangers to camp in the meadow, cause I'll be jumping regardless of weather. With a wingsuit, wind isn't a problem, I can track so far!!!! Happy hunting rangers, better be on your toes. Might go before noon though????????

[guest]

You guy's take yourselves WAY too seriously...you might find it hard to believe, but our lives DO NOT revolve around base jumping. We've got other duties to keep us busy. But if we happen to be in the neighborhood, you can count on a stay at the graybar. Good luck, be safe, and don't bring your best chute!

[guest]

If your life doesn't revolve around base jumping, why are you bothering to read AND post to the BASE BOARD !?

[guest]

I must admit, I have been making a habit of keeping up with this board of late. There are several factors involved. First, it was just out of curiosity, kinda like rubbernecking a car wreck. Especially what Base44 posts. But as time has gone by, I've taken a PERSONAL interest in this situation you folks face. I've come to sympathize with your cause, and like to see the positive efforts put forth by the clear thinkers in your community. I think Msrs. Badenhop, Weber Boger, Knutson and Ms. Davis showed great courage by planning and executing a jump knowing full well
they would be arrested and have their gear confiscated. All to get this situation before the public eye. It takes no guts whatsoever to jump in secret, just to say you've got some number to claim. It also takes no guts to post wild rantings here, while others work to see a positive change for your sport. I was truly disappointed to see only thirty some people showed up to exercise YOUR first amendment rights. I realize that the BASE community is comprised of free thinkers and rabid individualists, but plenty of you will gladly ride the coattails of those willing to step up to the plate. It is because of those people I've taken an interest in this and support your effort to have the laws legally changed.

No hard feelings, and I hope to meet all of you some day in the meadow and be able to say "that was beautiful, have a safe trip home".

[guest]

Just like Smokey says, there is a way to get into the parks and jump under good auspices. Check out what we did to influence the decision making of the park superintendant at Joshua Tree. He was going to propose strict bans on bolting as part of his interpretation of the wilderness protection act which is LAW. We didn't have to fight, we talked and offered rational alternatives. Of the more than 1500 letters he got about access for bikers, horses, climbers and hikers we climbers were a huge majority (like 1250 out of 1500). We got a fair hearing and what many consider a good compromise.
We don't need to change any laws here. We need to change the incorrect application of a impertainant law meant to protect the parks from squaters and miners. We need to respect the viewpoints that we might have an impact on the resource and should behave like any wilderness users and respect the place. They might come to respect our viewpoints if and when we can present them in an appropriate forum. We need the best and most rational spokespersons to get with the park powers and go head to head again to work something out.
It's a work in progress and we all need to know what we can do to help. Keep the faith!

[guest]

> It takes no guts whatsoever to jump in secret


really?

[bps]

Hi Smokey -

Just wanted to stop by and say thanks for sharing your feelings on the Board. It's nice to know that there are people within the Park Service that recognize our cries and can see the beauty in the sport of BASE jumping.

We do have a long way to go. Hopefully, the BASE community will be able come together as a result of the incredible efforts that a few have put forth. If our efforts are applied properly, legal BASE within the Park system will happen eventually. But first, the BASE community must be willing to accept *some* forms of regulation, even if it is largely self-regulating. There are many issues that must be addressed, and only positive efforts and open communication between the BASE community and the Park Service will result in forward movement.

I'm an avid BASE jumper somewhat near the Valley, but I have never jumped there. The legal trouble is simply not worth it for me. But BASE jumping will continue in the Park, legal or not.

This last weekend, I traveled to another State with a group of friends and we made over 100 BASE jumps from an object that is legal. It is so much safer and fun to be able to enjoy our sport without running around and hiding in the shadows. Our group left the legal site and the park cleaner than it was when we arrived.

I hope someday I can do the same thing in Yosemite and shake your hand as well after a beautiful jump.

Best Wishes...

Bryan Stokes

[guest]

tell us all...

[guest]

My jump was great, I delayed it for 60 seconds before I pulled the coord....
But sadly the rangers used their time rover to go back in time and stop me from base jumping....
So technically I didn't jump...

[guest]

I wanted to post a reply to your comments when I first read them, but, I waited to see what others thought first. Not too much was written, even though most of us would disagree with your comment that it takes no guts to jump in secret. Now the past several days' events have prompted slightly different thoughts on what you've said, so I'll go ahead and speak my two cents worth...
My very first reaction last Monday was that we had actually met some down to earth rangers face to face and were able to openly discuss (and even get personal with) some subjects. My traveling companions and I chatted on the ride home Monday night and we commented on what discussions took place that day in the meadow with the rangers.
We agree with you and were also disappointed that there weren't more of us in Yosemite last Monday, too. But, those of us who WERE there spent time chatting with as many of you as were there, too. We answered all of your questions, and some of you even seemed genuinely interested to hear more about our lives, our jobs (the very fact that most of us DO have "respectable" jobs surprised a few of you!), how we got into jumping, etc.
We gave a real live face and personality to the dreaded base jumper that's been banned from Yosemite since the 80's due to what you have perceived as the "bad apples" in our bunch. And, I think you would now have to agree that not all base jumpers are alike. We're all individuals, each one slightly different from the next, just with the same burning desire to jump off objects.
Well, on the ride home, we wondered if all the kinds words said to us on Monday were sincere, or whether there had been some big meeting of the minds, prior to that day, that had agreed (especially not knowing how many of us would be there, or how we would behave) that the best way to handle us would be to coddle us and patronize us, hoping we would just peacefully go away and never come back. I really would like to believe that you really are a sympathetic group just obligated to uphold the existing law, but later comments from your corner of the woods have clouded that dream.
Chief Mihalic even had very supportive and encouraging things to say... ...for a while. Although he seemed sympathetic at first, it's quite clear he's against it, even though he said he's willing to talk about it. Well, he talked about it later in the Fresno Bee, and the quotes didn't include any of the sensitivity he showed us earlier. I think that his statement "The unfortunate outcome of Davis' jump was a reaffirmation of the Park Service's wisdom" was a bit pompous and self-serving, to say the least. He is never going to bend. He suggested we lobby in Washington. "It's a National Park issue, not a Yosemite issue." That's actually the best suggestion, and probably the only way to go at this point. And sure, he'd have to allow it if he couldn't stop it himself.
I'm just sorry that I now feel the good feelings I had about the NPS people we met that day were probably just an act. There was more press than anything, and yes, we were all on our best behavior. But if you're truly sympathetic and would really welcome the day when you can greet us upon landing in the meadow with just a handshake, then that's what you should be telling EVERYONE, not just us. Tell the press the same thing you tell us. Don't keep spinning your two hats just to appease each audience.
One last thing: the suggestion to lobby the lawmakers in Washington was a good one, and I'm learning more about the process. I also agree that we all need to pull together. It's going to take more than 30 people to make the necessary changes. Others may ride on coattails if they want, but I, for one, intend to actively join the leaders. It's our park, too.

[guest]

Thank you for your thoughts. While it is unfortunate that things said by Superintendant Mihalic have tarnished your take on that event, he IS the Superintendant, and I would NEVER publicly say anything to undermine his authority. I know many of your folks think us mindless, nazi sheep, but we too are individuals with different opinions on many subjects. The main difference is we've pledged our lives to upholding the letter of the law, and also following the orders and direction of those appointed over us. If that makes us sheep, then I can live with that. In that respect, we are far more powerless to change the laws as written than you, as taxpaying citizens. While we have a great deal of leeway in enforcing minor infractions, we don't have the ability to selectively enforce a regulation as hotly contested as this one. We are given valid, lawful instructions and we follow them. You could not have a competent military or law enforcement organization were it otherwise. And I won't apologize for entering what I consider a noble profession.
I've been having a running discourse with the one calling himself "The Fox" lately. With his preparation and determination, he'll probably always run free, and I guess that's how it should be. I have to say his quick mind and sharp wit have made it interesting, and I can appreciate his and other of your viewpoints. But we are not afforded the same courtesy. It always eventually reverts to name calling and taunts that are far more counterproductive than they realize. I've tried to help by letting you know that we are not all mindless drones. But I've done all I can do to try to help both sides understand one another a little better. Any further efforts on my part will only hurt the career I love, for I too am passionate about what I do and will not risk that by oversteeping my authority in this matter. If we should meet under less than desireable circumstances in the future, then so mote it be. I wish you all luck, and will try to keep tabs on your fight. If you have any direct questions about the problem, direct them to Dan Horner. He could answer them better than anyone. And DO take your fight to Washington, for even if every Superintendant and Chief Ranger were for a change, it would still have to come from "on high".

[guest]

I think I'd better clarify what I meant.
First, let me apologize for lumping you and Superintendent Mihalic together. I wouldn't want it done to us, and by expressing my disappointment in Superintendent Mihalik's interview, I've apparently done it to you. I had been skeptical of the sincerity of SOME of the rangers we spoke with, and then jumped the gun saying "I told you so!" when I read the interview. That wasn't fair, and I apologize.

I appreciate the time you've spent expressing your opinion, and I appreciate the fact that you really have recognized the merit of our side. And, believe it or not, I appreciate that you take your job seriously and simply can't compromise your position. Yes, you have chosen a noble profession, and enforcing the law that our little world is fighting is merely a small percentage of everything that makes up your job. MOST of us understand and appreciate all the many facets of what you do.

And, I do understand that although Super. Mihalik tried to show us his "soft and sympathetic" side that day, he, too, is obligated to uphold the existing law, especially when he's being interviewed by the press. It was just unfortunate that he so quickly voiced that fact right after we agreed that the communication will continue. It just seemed like he turned a switch off as soon as we left. Reading his quotes didn't make us feel future communication is even likely.

No, I won't let it tarnish my opinion of all of you. In fact, I do know that we have SEVERAL rangers on our side. I actually feel bad for a couple of them. They really do feel caught in the middle, as some of us may have made you feel. I won't impose on any of you to publicly state the merits of the BASE jumpers' side. Although that's exactly what I did in my last post, the reality is that I know you can't, and none of us will gain anything by asking you to compromise your position or look the other way (although we'd love to).

As it is right now, until the law is actually changed (or modified), this can't even be considered any more than a period of transition. Any BASE jumpers who see 'ranger sympathy' as a quiet nod to "go ahead while we look the other way" are just fooling themselves. Nothing has changed YET, so we'll heed your emphatic warning that we've got to keep out-foxing you (pun intended) while you continue to do your job.

This is going to be a long process. But, while we persevere, I'm really satisfied knowing that we do have some of you taking an compassionate interest in this process.

This is getting too huggy-feely.
I'm gonna get flamed by the 'different individuals' who think you're all a bunch of Nazi sheep.

[bps]

Wow - Gumby's post did feel "huggy-feely"!

http://www.baselogic.com/forum/images/happy.gif

I'm glad to see communication between a few rangers and us, and darn happy to see it in a polite, respectful manner.

Sure, it doesn't mean that we can BASE jump tomorrow and they will look the other way. Looking at it responsibly - BASE in Yosemite is a HOT topic right now. And whether or not we see it this way - it is currently illegal.

The way to change this is to rally higher headquarters as a collective group and convince them (this is required) that we are a responsible group of enthusiasts that have the means to pursue our sport in the National Parks in a manner that does not strain park resources.

As jumpers, we know that *responsible* and *experienced* jumpers can safely jump cliffs with minimal impact on park resources. We've been doing this for years - there have been thousands, yes thousands, of jumps made in National Parks alone. The majority of these jumps were made in difficult and demanding conditions, ie. poor lighting and visibility, and there have been few instances where we have strained resources.

But the public and Washington don't know this! The only thing they can possibly see is a loosely knit group of people that flick themselves off of rocks. And when they do hear about it, it's usually because of an accident.

If we want to change an existing regulation or law, we must change the public's and Washington's perception of BASE jumpers. And given the extreme nature of our sport, it is already difficult enough!

It is "our park too" and we truly do deserve "equal access". But it is absolutely imperative that we can show organization and responsibility to to the park service and the public if we ever expect legal cliff-jumping in our National Parks.

Bryan