Yosemite Climber Dies After Fall from El Capitan During TikTok Livestream
A young climber from Alaska fell to his death this week while livestreaming his solo ascent of Yosemite National Park’s iconic El Capitan.
Balin Miller, 23, was attempting a 2,400-foot route known as “Sea of Dreams” when he fell on Tuesday, according to witnesses and family members. His mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, confirmed his death to NBC affiliate KTUU, saying, “My whole world just fell apart. There’s no greater pain than losing your child in such a horrific way.”
Miller had been broadcasting portions of his climb on TikTok before the fall, part of a growing trend among extreme athletes sharing their adventures in real time. Viewers reportedly saw Miller rappelling near the end of his climb before the livestream abruptly ended.
Climbing photographer Tom Evans, who was also watching from the ground, said Miller appeared to rappel off the end of his rope while trying to retrieve a stuck bag. “His rope didn’t reach the bag’s location by many feet, but he seemed unaware of that fact,” Evans wrote. “On the way down he rappelled off the end of the rope.”
Miller was gaining notoriety for his bold solo climbs. Earlier this year, he claimed to have completed the first solo ascent of the Slovak Direct route on Alaska’s Mt. McKinley, a feat celebrated within the climbing community.
The National Park Service said rangers responded quickly and are investigating the incident.
