Home / Disasters and Accidents / Alaskan Climber's Tragic Fall from El Capitan Shakes Yosemite
Alaskan Climber's Tragic Fall from El Capitan Shakes Yosemite
3 Oct
Summary
- Alaskan climber Balin Miller, 23, died in a climbing accident at Yosemite
- Miller was an accomplished alpinist known for solo ascents of difficult routes
- Incident occurred during federal government shutdown, with limited park operations
In a tragic incident last month, a 23-year-old Alaskan climber named Balin Miller fell to his death from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Miller, an accomplished alpinist, was known for his solo ascents of challenging routes, including the first solo climb of Mount McKinley's Slovak Direct.
The accident occurred on the first day of the federal government shutdown, which left national parks "generally" open but with limited operations and closed visitor centers. Park rangers and emergency personnel responded immediately, but Miller did not survive the fall.
Miller's mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, described her son's deep passion for climbing, saying, "His heart and soul was truly to just climb. He loved to climb and it was never about money and fame." Many on social media paid tribute to Miller, who had gained a following for his TikTok livestreams of his climbing adventures.
This tragic incident marks the third death in Yosemite National Park this summer, following the deaths of an 18-year-old free-soloist and a 29-year-old hiker. The park service is investigating the circumstances surrounding Miller's accident.
