Climbing influencer, Balin Miller, has plunged to his death from El Capitan, a rock formation in California’s Yosemite National Park.
Balin’s death was livestreamed via TikTok by another Yosemite enthusiast at the time of the tragic incident, per multiple outlets. He was 23.
The Alaskan YouTuber’s mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, confirmed Balin’s death via a Facebook post shared on Wednesday, October 1.
“It is with a heavy heart I have to tell you my incredible son Balin Miller died during a climbing accident today,” she wrote. “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.”
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Girard-Moorman shared via a statement that Balin’s passion was climbing.
“He’s been climbing since he was a young boy,” she said, per multiple outlets. “His heart and soul was truly to just climb. He loved to climb, and it was never about money and fame.”
While authorities have not yet released details of Balin’s death, witness and photographer Tom Evans shared a Facebook post recounting what he saw happen.
“Yesterday, a climber finished his climb of the Sea of Dreams, on ElCap, and was hauling his bag up the last pitch when it became stuck,” Evans wrote on Thursday, October 2. “So, he went down his lead line to clear it. His rope didn’t reach the bags location by many feet, but he seemed unaware of that fact. On the way down he rappelled off the end of the rope.”
Evans went on to pay tribute to Balin via the Facebook post.
“He was a young man, highly regarded among the best climbers here,” Evans continued. “I photographed him for many days on the climb and spoke with him earlier. Many climbers on the wall saw the tragedy unfold. These things happen from time to time but the pain never passes. Rest in peace Balin Miller.”
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Meanwhile, the YouTuber’s brother, Dylan Miller, told the Associated Press that Balin was lead rope soloing up the Sea of Dreams, which is a 2,400-foot route. He echoed Evan’s versions of events, telling AP that Balin had likely finished the climb and was hauling the rest of his gear before falling after rappelling to the end of his rope.
Dylan shared his brother’s love for climbing with the outlet as he remembered his late sibling.
“He said he felt most alive when he was climbing,” Dylan said. “I’m his bigger brother but he was my mentor.”
