Balin Miller tragically fell to his death while livestreaming his ascent of El Capitan, the iconic vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park.
On Wednesday (October 2), the 23-year-old climbing influencer was soloing a 2,400-foot route known as Sea of Dreams when he reached the summit before the fatal incident.
According to his mother, Jeanine Moorman, Miller had been trying to retrieve his haul bags, which had gotten stuck while he was pulling them up. The rope he was using to rappel down wasn’t long enough to reach the bags, and this led to him sliding off the end of it.
This moment, captured live for his online audience, marked a horrifying end to his journey.
"His heart and soul was truly to just climb. He loved to climb, and it was never about money and fame," Miller’s mother shared in a statement, cited by Associated Press.
She later confirmed the devastating news on Facebook, writing: "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,” per Daily Mail.
Shocked Fans and the Livestream
Miller's death was witnessed by numerous fans who had been following his climb via livestream, including a viewer named Michelle Derrick.
Derrick spoke about the heartbreaking moment on Facebook, writing: "He made it to the summit, but he had to retrieve his bags as they got stuck on a rock as he was hoisting them up.
"As he was trying to retrieve the bags, he fell to his death, all caught on the livestream.”
His Instagram, followed by over 4,800 people, is now inundated with tributes from fans and fellow climbers who admired the late climber's fearless approach to mountaineering.
“Spent 3 days watching you climb El Cap on TT, and it was absolutely mesmerizing.
"You accomplished things that only people like myself dream of. RIP,” one fan wrote.
Another said: “Rest in climbing Paradise, angel,” while a third commented: ”I talked about you to all my friends. I let them know who was next up.
"You moved mountains while you were here. Love.”
A History of Extraordinary Climbing Feats
Miller’s climb up El Capitan was just another chapter in his already remarkable climbing career.
Born in Anchorage, Alaska, he had been climbing since childhood, often with his father and older brother.
The streamer’s brother, Dylan, described him as his mentor, saying: "I'm his bigger brother, but he was my mentor."
In recent months, he had become a well-known figure in the climbing world for his extraordinary feats.
Just earlier this year, he became the first person to solo climb the Slovak Direct route on Denali, one of the most dangerous paths in Alaska.
In addition to this, Miller had conquered difficult routes in Patagonia and the Canadian Rockies, including a solo ice climb on the “Reality Bath” route, which had not been completed in 37 years, per Climbing magazine.
These accomplishments earned him widespread admiration, with fellow alpinist Clint Helander saying: “He's had probably one of the most impressive last six months of climbing of anyone that I can think of.”
Miller’s last climb in Yosemite was meant to be a relaxing break from his rigorous schedule, but it ultimately became his final adventure.
The young man had arrived in area two weeks earlier and was preparing to meet his family for a vacation when tragedy struck.
His brother Dylan reflected on the loss, saying, “He has inspired so many people to do things that are perhaps unthinkable, including myself. I can't imagine climbing ever again without him.”
Miller’s personal philosophy on climbing, as shared in his biography on the Millet website, was one of embracing fear and danger: “Everyone should experience real fear and danger at some point, which is easily done in the mountains. I think it would help a lot of people become less stressed over more frivolous problems,” per the New York Times.
The National Park Service is investigating the accident, with park rangers and emergency personnel responding immediately after the fall.
Our thoughts are with Millier’s loved ones at this time.