Uhuck - As in “You Huck yourself off the side of a cliff”
Dec 13th 2007adminExtreme Sports
What do bail money, national parks, base jumping, and political action have in common?
Imagine climbing thousands of vertical feet with loads of gear, topping out on a majestic mountain view, and then throwing yourself off the other side. As you scream past ancient granite walls, accelerating towards a stunning river valley, you tug on the pull cord seconds before impact and float leasurely down to one of America’s most pristeen wilderness.
But the adventure is just beginning. Now you have to run for your life, well, your freedom anyways. See, law enforcement will be gunning for you like you just threw your buddy off without the living saving chute. BASE jumping is illegal in the national parks, and jumpers will be detained no-questions-asked. My problem with this is: who are they endangering? Park visitors? Park staff? Animals? No, just themselves. Whether you think the practice of jumping off inanimate objects is stupid, crazy, or brave - why are we legislating this? Americans all to often these days try to outlaw all forms of crazyness, even if they pose no risk except to those initiating the crazyness. I argue that this is not only wrong, but out right Un-American! We are still the land of the free, aren’t we? After all, risk takers like this:
- came over on boats to the colonies
- sent the English packing, and formed this country
- built many of the businesses that dominate the global economy
Rock climbers, paddlers, and many others can risk their lives in our national parks, without fearing of jail time. Hope fully somebody can explain the difference, but with the recent budget cuts and ever increasing park visitors, it seems like we could use resources for a better cause. Now, enter UHUCK. UHUCK is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of this issue, and helping to get this stupid law repealled. Their planning a massive protest jump September 6, 2008, from none other than El Capitan in Yosemite NP .
How can we non-BASE jumpers help out?
- Visit their website & spread the word.
- Donate money for their legal defense fund (bail money)
- Check out one of forty concerts being put on around the country on their “Bail Money Tour”
Disclaimer: No National Park Service employees were hurt by writing this article. We love you guys & gals, and know you all don’t make the rules - just enforce them.
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Wade on 16 Dec 2007 at 10:43 am #
I really stopped reading this article for its proposition since they call the BASE jumpers pilot shoot a pull cord. Who edited this?
- “you tug on the pull cord seconds before impact.”
- This is exactly why BASE and others don’t get along. No one seems to further educate others on such a environmentally safe, and adventurous activity with fellow friends and family. Great points to be made, but present an article that doesn’t sound like a intro for Maxim magazine. We are trying to present good, thoughtful legal points. Not opening mouths and removing all doubt. Be careful.
Gale Rainwater on 17 Dec 2007 at 1:05 pm #
You make a very valid point. I am a whitewater kayaker and that is not allowed in national parks either and this is a generaly much less dangerous sport. I think it is more of a liability issue. Say you do land on someone and now they can’t walk. They sue for several million. Who pays for this?
I don’t like alot of the rules in national parks but this one I can kinda understand.