Video Caught 23-Year-Old Falling to His Death from Famous Peak. His Mom Tears Up Just Thinking About It
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California — A 23-year-old rising star in the climbing community, Balin Miller, died after falling from Yosemite’s El Capitan on October 1. His death was caught on video, which has since been deleted, leaving his family and the climbing world in shock. For his mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, the pain is unbearable. “Losing a child, a full-grown child, your soul is shattered,” she said tearfully.
A Promising Climber’s Final Ascent
Miller was lead rope soloing on a 2,400-foot route known as Sea of Dreams, a climb he had taken on for fun before heading to a family gathering. His mother said he had been climbing since childhood with his father and older brother and was known for his bold, skillful approach to difficult routes. The video, livestreamed by a park enthusiast on TikTok, reportedly showed Miller rappelling down when he ran out of rope and plunged thousands of feet. The video was later removed after the TikTok user issued a public apology.
@mountainscalling.me this is what happened. i have seen misleading news reports and want everyone to know exactly what transpired from the sole witness. i did not want this. 🥺 i am heartbroken and deeply affected by what i saw as i know many of you are too. please honor our beloved ⛺️🧡 climber Balin Miller and respect his legacy. 🙏 #yosemite #nationalpark #climbing #elcapitan
A Family’s Unimaginable Loss
“The mountain took my Balin today. I will never recover,” Girard-Moorman wrote just hours after learning of her son’s death. Miller’s brother, Dylan, said the accident likely occurred because Balin forgot to tie a stopper knot at the end of his rope — a small but fatal mistake. “You don’t get a second chance if you mess one of those little things up,” he said. Dylan remembered their last conversation the night before the fall, when his brother called about a Tool band T-shirt he had ordered. “He was so excited for me to bring it to him and for us to climb on the same wall,” Dylan said. “He was my best friend.”
Remembered for His Passion and Spirit
Miller had built a name for himself after completing one of the toughest solo routes in Alaska — the Slovak Direct on Denali — not once but twice. He was nicknamed “Goat Boy” by his mom for his love of climbing and his playful nature. His 15-year-old sister Mia recalled his “snarky, funny comments” and the glitter he would put on his cheeks before hard climbs to lighten the mood. “If he was going to do something challenging, he would put the glitter on,” Dylan added.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
When Miller wasn’t climbing, he worked in Alaska as a crab fisherman and in mining to fund his adventures, often living out of his car and traveling across the country. His mother has since created VIRR Get Outdoors, a small business using her son’s photography and logo of a mountain goat to raise funds for young climbers who can’t afford gear. “He loved all his friends and all of his family,” Dylan said. “He was going to enjoy climbing the rest of his life, and I was looking forward to growing old with him and teaching our kids how to climb together.”
For more heartfelt human stories, cultural features, and community tributes, visit NapervilleLocal.com.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.