Name: Base jumpers take over Yosemite as shutdown sidelines park rangers
Uploaded: 2025-10-27T00:42:59.116Z
Duration: 2 min 20 s
Description: With rangers furloughed during the government shutdown, thrill seekers are seizing the chance to base jump illegally in Yosemite National Park.

With rangers furloughed during the government shutdown, thrill seekers are seizing the chance to base jump illegally in Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park has experienced a surge in illegal activities, including base jumping and drone operations, as most park staff remain furloughed during a government shutdown. Visitors report seeing base jumpers and other thrill-seekers acting openly, with fewer rangers available to enforce regulations.

The absence of admission fees and staff at entry gates has led to increased visitor numbers. While some rangers continue to patrol high-use areas with a focus on safety and environmental protection, concerns remain about the risks posed to climbers and the potential for accidents.

Base jumpers take over Yosemite as shutdown sidelines park rangers

As the government shutdown enters its fourth week in federal workers' furlough, the country's national parks largely remain open to visitors for now. But as CBS' Carter Evans reports from Yosemite, things are getting pretty wild. Never seen that before. It's an unusual sight because base jumping in national parks is illegal. Charles Winstead captured this video while climbing Yosemite's 3,000-foot-high El Capitan, and it's just some of the unlawful behavior he's seen here recently. Car camping, base jumping, drone activities. From what I hear, people are hiking Half Dome without permits. Even with the federal government shutdown, national parks are still wide open, but most of the staff is furloughed, which may embolden thrill-seekers. Wow. Right in the middle of the f***ing meadow. We started seeing people base jumping and not the typical crack of dawn, do it quick and then run away, but middle of the day and just walking off without any concerns. Here at El Capitan, climbers worry about the danger of drones and base jumpers above them. I've definitely been climbing and had base jumpers fly past me. What's that like? It's scary. It's really loud. Like, incredibly loud. Robbie Brown didn't see any base jumpers this trip, but he did see emergency services. They did a rescue the other day. There were some people who got hurt, which is fairly regular. So those sorts of activities are still going on? Oh yeah. But people are still rock climbing and having a great season. The warm fall weather and no admission fees are attracting plenty of visitors, including Yosemite regular Tom Evans, who's been photographing climbers here for decades. There's nobody manning the gates. So people come in all the time now since it's free. The employees that they need to run this, they've all been sent away. The National Park Service told CBS News rangers are still patrolling high use areas, but their priority is keeping everyone safe and protecting the environment and now hoping all visitors will be on their best behavior. Carter Evans, CBS News, Yosemite National Park.

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