23-Year-Old Climber Dies in El Capitan Accident

Yosemite, California — A tragic accident this week has claimed the life of 23-year-old climber Balin Miller on El Capitan. His father, David Miller, confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday. Balin was known as a promising athlete in the climbing world, having recently accomplished the solo ascent of Denali‘s Slovak Direct route.

According to a Facebook post by local photographer Tom Evans, Miller was solo climbing the ‘Sea of Dreams‘ route on the southeast face of El Capitan when the incident occurred. As he was hauling a bag up the last pitch, it became stuck, causing him to descend his lead line in an attempt to free it. Evans reported that Miller was unaware the rope did not reach the bag, and he rappelled off the end, leading to his fall.

As of now, there has been no official statement from Yosemite National Park officials regarding the accident. A government shutdown began on October 1, which may have impacted their operations and availability of services. GearJunkie reached out for comments but received an automated response indicating that operations were suspended.

Rappelling accidents are not uncommon in climbing. In 2023, the American Alpine Club recorded eight fatalities from similar incidents, including one that occurred in 2019 involving a renowned professional climber in Mexico.

Despite being in his early 20s, Miller had already established a significant reputation as an alpinist. He was affectionately known as the ‘Orange Tent Guy’ in Yosemite this season due to his distinctive campsite at the base of El Capitan. He drew attention for his remarkable climbs, including an ascent of Cerro Torre in Patagonia and a record-setting solo climb of Mount Hunter‘s French Connection.

Miller started climbing at age three, joining his father, David, on adventures along the Seward Highway near Anchorage. He dedicated his life to climbing, working seasonally as a crab fisherman to fund his expeditions. His achievements caught the attention of veteran alpinists, with some peers now declaring him a rising star.

Following the news of his tragic death, tributes flooded social media from friends, fans, and fellow climbers who admired his talent and humility.