Balin Miller, a 23-year-old Anchorage mountain climber, died after falling while rappelling down Yosemite's El Capitan.
The fall, which was livestreamed on social media, happened after Miller reached the summit of the fabled 3,000-foot granite wall.
As Yosemite photographer Tom Evans reports, Miller ran into difficulty when a gear bag he was carrying became lodged. Trying to solve the problem, Miller rappelled down the wall without realizing his rope was not long enough to reach the bag.
Unfortunately, he rappelled off the end of the rope, an avoidable mistake that underscores one of climbing's most frequent risks.
The Dangers of Rappelling Without a Stopper Knot
Climbing professionals observe that rappelling incidents usually occur due to the failure to tie a stopper knot at the rope's end. Although the knot keeps a climber from falling off, some climbers shy away from it since it causes the rope to catch or impede movement. In Miller's case, the lack of this protective measure was deadly, The Guardian notes.
Though Yosemite National Park authorities have yet to make an official statement, witnesses attested that rangers had arrived at the area just minutes after the accident.
Mother's Heartbreaking Confirmation
Miller's mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, broke the sad news on social media, writing:
"It is with a heavy heart I have to tell you my incredible son died during a climbing accident today," she wrote, adding that her heart was shattered "in a million pieces."
From Promising Talent to Elite Climber
Though not a household name such as free soloist Alex Honnold, Miller had established himself as a courageous and talented climber. He made a name for himself climbing in Patagonia and the Sierra Nevada, but his most renowned feat was in June on a solo climb of Slovak Direct on Denali.
The climb, considered one of the most challenging in the world, takes more than 9,000 feet of technical ice ascent and severe weather. A mere 20 climbers had previously successfully completed it before Miller, making him one of the elite athletes in this sport.
On the day of the accident, Miller was ascending Sea of Dreams, a challenging but possible route on El Capitan. Conditions were good, and the climb was within his capabilities. Yet, even experienced climbers risk death in Yosemite, one of the world's most famous climbing spots.
Posts on Reddit indicate that onlookers saw Miller fall while participating in a TikTok livestream, which only served to heighten the tragedy. His climbing companions were sad about the tragedy and said that Miller was always aware of the risks of his chosen sport.
A long-time friend recalled: "On more than one occasion, we talked about the risks of his profession and the probability of his life being cut short in a tragic manner. However, we both also knew that what gave his life purpose...was climbing."
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