The effects of the federal government shutdown are being seen in many areas, including Yosemite National Park, where squatters are reportedly taking advantage of the moment.
With rangers being stretched thin during the shutdown, squatters and illegal BASE jumpers are turning the park back into “the wild, wild west,” according to a report from SFGATE. Some of the “dangerous and illegal behaviors” being captured in videos and pictures include “BASE jumping from El Capitan and climbing Half Dome’s cables without permits.”
“It’s like the Wild Wild West,” says YExplore Yosemite Adventures founder John DeGrazio.
“BASE jumping from the park’s majestic granite monoliths and illegal climbs up Half Dome’s famous cables aren’t anything new. The jumps have been happening since the 1960s, and in his more than 200 times summiting Half Dome, DeGrazio has regularly encountered hikers without permits who are hoping to score somebody’s extra gear along the trail,” the outlet reports.
However, DeGrazio says there is something “different” about the activity going on now.
“These people are counting on no enforcement because of the shutdown,” he suspects.
One park employee spoke to SFGATE, saying they “know of only one wilderness ranger working the entire park. And technically, that person is not even a ranger, the employee said, but a volunteer.”
“There are lots of squatters in the campgrounds,” the anonymous employee revealed. “There are lots of people that truly believe they can do whatever they want because of the lack of rangers. They’ve told us.”
“The National Park Service can confirm that the park remains appropriately staffed to ensure visitor safety and resource protection during the lapse in appropriations. Law enforcement rangers and campground personnel continue to monitor visitor use, respond to incidents, and enforce park regulations,” a Department of the Interior spokesperson said, adding, “reports suggesting that campgrounds are unmonitored or that widespread squatting is occurring are inaccurate.”
“Suggesting there is only one ranger is ludicrous,” officials scoffed. “While we have sighted several individuals for camping in non-designated sites, it has been adequately addressed and those camp sites have been removed.”
That being said, a spokesperson did confirm that they are aware of reports about the increasingly dangerous behavior allegedly being exhibited.
“We are aware of reports of BASE jumping in Yosemite and are investigating all reports. BASE jumping is illegal in all national parks, including Yosemite, due to the significant safety risks it poses to participants, the public and first responders.”
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.
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