A young climber has fallen from 700 meters, while climbing a dangerous US route. The shocking moment was broadcast live on Tiktok
Balin Miller, a 23-year-old American, lost his life this week while the Sea of Dreams, one of the most dangerous routes on El Captain, in the Yosemite National Park.
The incident occurred in the last part of the climb, when his backpack had blocked. In an attempt to release his equipment, the young man would have detached his rope, causing a fall of about 730 meters. The park authorities have opened an investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the tragedy, according to the BBC.
In an emotional post on the social networks in which he confirmed the death of his son, his mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, said: “My heart is torn in millions of pieces. I don't know how I'll get over it. I love it so much. I want to wake up from this horrible nightmare.”
The details that led to the incident are not clear, but Miller's brother, Dylan, told AFP that he was doing Lead Rope Soloing – a technique that allows escalating alone, but protected by a rope – on a 730 meter route (2,400 FT) called Sea of Dreams.
Tom Evans, a Yosemite photographer who witnessed Miller's fall, told Climbing magazine that he called 911 after Miller tried to release his backpack on a rock.
A man named Eric, who wanted to stay anonymous on the Climbing site, witnessed the stage. Passionate about the Californian Park, he had begun to film the young man's ascension. With the help of the smartphone and a rear, he even transmitted the progress of Balin Miller, nicknamed “Orange Tent Guy” in his environment.
Originally from Anchorage, Miller grew up practicing mountaineering with his father and brother.
He was a perfect climber and caught international attention after he succeeded the first solo ascension of the Slovak route directly on Mount McKinley, which took him 56 hours, according to an Instagram post in June.
“Probably he had one of the last six months of climbing between anyone I can remember”, said the veteran climber Clint Hander for Anchorage Daily News in July.
