How a climber fell to his death on El Capitan during a TikTok livestream

A tragic accident has shaken the climbing world at Yosemite National Park. Balin Miller, a 23-year-old climber, fell to his death after reaching the summit of El Capitan, the 3,000-foot granite monolith that is one of the most famous climbing walls in the world.

What happened to climber Balin Miller?

Miller had completed the Sea of Dreams route, considered one of the most technically demanding lines on El Capitan’s southeast face. According to reports, he may have returned partway down the wall to retrieve a backpack that had become stuck. Witnesses said he failed to realize his rope was too short to reach the gear, leading to a fatal fall.

Fatal fall captured on TikTok

The climb was being followed in real time through a livestream by a TikTok blogger and content creator.

“I was the only witness when he fell,” the blogger told Climbing magazine. He added that he shared the video with Yosemite rangers and was overwhelmed by the outpouring of shock from Miller’s followers.

A daring climber with a bold style

Miller was no stranger to difficult climbs. He had recently been in Alaska for an ice climbing expedition and had previously taken on Reality Bath, a notoriously dangerous ice route in the Canadian Rockies.

On social media, he earned a following by streaming his ascents live. Known to fans as “the guy with the orange tent” because of his brightly colored gear, he also stood out for his trademark look: silver glitter streaked across his cheeks, which admirers compared to war paint.

Family heartbreak

Miller’s mother, Jeanine Moorman, shared her grief in a statement. “The world has lost an extraordinary soul and our hearts are shattered,” she said.

The climbing community continues to mourn the loss of a young adventurer who combined skill, boldness and showmanship in his pursuit of some of the world’s most challenging ascents.

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