Shaped by glaciers, earthquakes, and fires, Yosemite National Park will also survive influencers treating it like a personal stunt show. Especially when the influencers’ clips make it obvious who was BASE jumping without a permit.
Federal prosecutors allege that Jack Matthew Propeck violated park rules by using a parachute to descend into Yosemite Valley on Oct. 8, 2025, an activity that is prohibited in all national parks except in emergencies or with a valid permit.
…
Hays compared the Glacier Point video to other videos posted to Propeck’s social media accounts and noted consistent equipment and appearance, including a distinctive skydiving suit and purple mirrored sunglasses. Investigators also reviewed license plate reader data, which showed a vehicle registered to Propeck entering Yosemite on Oct. 7 and leaving in the late morning of Oct. 8.
When contacted by phone on Oct. 20, Propeck denied being the jumper, according to the complaint. After Hays pointed out that the jumper’s face was visible in the video, Propeck allegedly claimed that artificial intelligence had been used to superimpose his face onto the footage.
“There is no evidence to suggest that AI was used to make or alter the video,” Hays wrote in the affidavit, adding that the footage was consistent with other videos posted to Propeck’s account.
“Authentic content” is not a license to violate one of the best ideas the United States has ever had, our National Parks. The beauty and wonder of the parks, as well as their emergency rescue teams, don’t need clicks.
Deny, deny, deny-the rhetoric of the stupid in the face of facts.
Just another self-centered, I don't want to actually be accountable for my own actions jerk (other terms apply, but jerk isn't profane).