Balin Miller, a 23-year-old climber from Alaska, died following a fall from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. The incident occurred while he was live-streaming his climb on TikTok. His mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, confirmed his death in a heartfelt social media post.
Miller was reportedly lead rope soloing, a climbing technique that allows a climber to ascend without a partner while still using a safety rope. According to his brother, Dylan, Miller had completed the climb and was in the process of hauling equipment when he likely rappelled off the end of his rope. Witness Tom Evans, a photographer, stated that he called 911 as Miller attempted to retrieve a stuck bag.
Originally from Anchorage, Miller was an experienced climber known for his achievements, including the first solo ascent of Mount McKinley’s Slovak Direct, which he completed in 56 hours. His recent climbs garnered attention, with seasoned climbers comparing his skills to those of renowned alpinists like Alex Honnold.
On the day of the incident, a federal government shutdown was ongoing, which resulted in limited operations within the national parks, although they remained open. The National Park Service is investigating the circumstances of Miller’s fall, and emergency personnel responded promptly.
El Capitan, a prominent granite formation approximately 3,000 feet tall, is a widely recognized attraction for rock climbers. Miller’s death is the third documented fatality in Yosemite this year, following the deaths of an 18-year-old climber and a 29-year-old hiker.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz08jp4xv2jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss