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Balin Miller, 23, Dies in Fall From El Capitan as Yosemite Opens Review

Officials are reviewing the high‑risk lead‑rope‑solo ascent after early accounts pointed to an equipment‑handling error.

Overview

  • His mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, confirmed his death in a social-media post.
  • He was on the Sea of Dreams route using a lead-rope-solo system that requires self-belay.
  • Family accounts indicate the fall occurred during gear handling—either hauling or rappelling to a stuck bag—with a possible rope-length misjudgment under investigation.
  • Park rangers responded quickly at the scene, and Yosemite National Park says it is reviewing the incident.
  • Media reports differ on whether a TikTok livestream was active at the time, and Miller was widely known for a recent solo of the Slovak Direct on Denali.