Interesting report from 4/28-

00-168 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Paragliding Conviction

A bright red paraglider was spotted flying over the north rim of Yosemite Valley around 4:45 p.m. on April 25th. Rangers watched it fly on thermals over various parts of the valley for two hours. The pilot, a German national, landed in Ahwahnee Meadow at 6:45 p.m. and was detained by rangers. He was very cooperative and offered no resistance. His equipment was seized as evidence and he was issued a citation requiring appearance in court the following day. He told rangers that he is a very experienced paraglider pilot and claimed to be unaware of the park's regulations prohibiting such activity without a permit. He said that he'd launched from North Dome. He pled guilty in court and was sentenced to a $500 fine by the magistrate judge. (Dan Horner, SA, YOSE, 4/26)