An Alaskan climbing influencer has died after falling from El Capitan, a famous vertical rock formation in California's Yosemite National Park.
Balin Miller, 23, was live-streamed on TikTok ascending and subsequently falling from the monolith on Wednesday.
In an emotional social media post confirming her son's death, his mother Jeanine Girard-Moorman said: My heart is shattered in a million pieces. I don't know how I will get through this. I love him so much. I want to wake up from this horrible nightmare.
Details of what caused the incident are still unclear, but Miller's brother Dylan said he was lead rope soloing - a technique that allows climbing alone while still being protected by a rope - on a 2,400ft (730m) route named Sea of Dreams.
He had finished the climb and was hauling up equipment when he likely rappelled off the end of his rope, Dylan shared.
One witness, Tom Evans, a Yosemite-based photographer, recounted the harrowing scene, stating he called 911 after Miller tried to free his bag, which was stuck on a rock.
Miller was originally from Anchorage and grew up climbing with his father and brother. He had recently gained international attention for his impressive achievements, including the first solo ascent of Mount McKinley's Slovak Direct, completed in 56 hours.
The climbing community mourns the loss of a remarkable talent, with veteran alpinists recognizing Miller's impressive accomplishments over the last few months.
Miller's death occurred on the first day of the federal government shutdown, which left national parks open with limited operations.
The National Park Service is investigating the incident and confirmed that park rangers and emergency personnel responded immediately after the fall.
As a well-known figure in the climbing world, affectionately dubbed the 'Orange Tent Guy', Miller’s loss contributes to ongoing discussions about climbing safety and the inherent risks associated with extreme sports.
