The National Park Service announced three recent convictions for illegal BASE jumping in Yosemite National Park. The announcement comes alongside increased reports of illegal BASE jumping in Yosemite during the government shutdown.
The three cases were adjudicated in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.
The Park Service reported that on July 15, 2024, after receiving a report that two people had jumped from an area near North Dome, U.S. Park Rangers located Christopher I. Durell, who admitted to BASE jumping from the Porcelain Wall. He recently pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months of unsupervised probation, $600 in fines, and 40 hours of community service with an organization supporting the National Park Service. His BASE canopy and wingsuit were also forfeited.
On July 21, 2024, Joshua A. Iosue fled on foot after Rangers received a report of two jumpers near North Dome. He was later identified and cited. On October 7 of this year, he was sentenced to two days in jail, 24 months of unsupervised probation, and $2,510 in fines. He was also banned from entering Yosemite National Park during his probation.
A third jump occurred in July 2020, when David A. Nunn, who had a previous conviction for the same offense in 1998, was rescued by NPS personnel after suffering a severe equipment malfunction. He collided with the wall of El Capitan before crash-landing at the base. In September of this year, he was sentenced to two days in jail, 12 months of unsupervised probation, $760 in fines, and restitution of $458.77 to cover the cost of his rescue. He was also banned from entering Yosemite during probation and was ordered to forfeit his parachute and harness.
"We do not tolerate illegal activity in Yosemite National Park,” said Yosemite National Park superintendent Raymond McPadden. “Our law enforcement rangers remain efficient, effective and vigilant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 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."
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