A Yosemite Tragedy…
One of America’s most popular and beautiful national parks was also the site of a great tragedy, and it involved a popular young hiker climbing the stunning granite monolith on the left of the photo.
Yosemite’s El Capitan is a giant granite monolith in Yosemite Valley, known for its commanding 3,000-foot vertical face and world-class rock climbing routes. Visitors can enjoy views of El Capitan from El Capitan Meadow, hike the Valley Floor Loop, or visit the nearby Bridalveil Fall area and the iconic Tunnel View overlook
There are many hiking trails, waterfalls and vertical climbs in the park, but El Capitan is the most dangerous, due to the vertical climb, the smooth rock face offering few ways to ascend, and the deadly vertical drop if an accident occurs.
A Most Dangerous Climb…
There have been at least 30 recorded climbing fatalities on El Capitan, with the most recent death occurring on October 1, 2025, when 23-year-old Balin Miller fell while rappelling. Causes of death on the granite wall have included falls during climbing, rappelling incidents, and rockslides.
Miller died Wednesday after falling from Yosemite’s El Capitan while live-streaming his ascent to thousands of viewers on TikTok. It’s a shocking end to one of social media’s popular adventurists.
Miller was a 23 year old who had built a reputation as one of the country’s most daring climbers. He died while attempting a solo rope climb up the 3,000-foot granite wall, when he slipped on Wednesday. Reports say his gear had gotten caught in the rocks and he slipped while trying to correct it.
It is always a tragedy with a climbing enthusiast dies in an accident like this. My wife and I did a lot of hiking around Yosemite, and there are many places that are dangerous, like this view from Taft Point:
That’s my wife Alex on the ledge that overlook the valley almost 2,000 feet below…and when we walked toward the edge, this is how scary it was:
You really have to be careful, and of course respect the landscape…here’s a look at our hike with more videos:
Must less scary hikes in Yosemite take you to some incredible waterfalls like this:
The “Mist Trail’s” Deadly History!
Finally, I will leave you with this: more people die on the Mist Trail than almost anywhere else in Yosemite. It’s not the waterfalls or the cliffs that are the culprits; it’s the current. The river here apparently looks much less dangerous than it actually is.
Here’s a look:
Typically, when going full force in the spring, hikers slip into the water and find the current too strong to overcome! Here’s a look at this very wet and very steep climb we embarked on here:
I am so sorry to hear about Balin Miller’s tragic death, and condolences go to his friends and family…I shared this story to remind people that nature can be very dangerous.
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Categories: Exotic Travel, nature, Sports, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
It’s very sad to read about that young man’s death. I couldn’t do what Alex did in this picture.
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It really is sad Robbie and people sometimes don’t realize how unforgiving nature is…thank you for the comment!
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Such a sad story, John. Alex’s photo on the ledge will forever be my favorite.
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saw this story on the news – and so sad!
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Yes, a lot of people don’t realize how much of the park is open to do whatever you want with no restrictions, regardless of the danger…thanks for the note
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yes, in a way that is great that they do allow folks options – and this climber had experience – but it goes to show you that accidents happen – even with the skills!
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Absolutely – that’s a great point…the freedom to express yourself in that environment, but they are well aware o the danger as well…thanks for being part of tis conversation!
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🙂
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this is so very sad and what a loss
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So sad when someone loses their life for an adventure and my condolences go out to Balin Millers family and friends as this adventure went so badly wrong and a young man lost his life in the pursuit …Pete has made a valid point also…Nature can be so very beautiful but we have to respect the dangers…
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Wonderful photos and videos of one of the beautiful places in the States. Sad it had to be on the occasion of such an unfortunate demise. Read Pete’s comment above . . . having worked in his profession he would be more aware than any of us that there is more than one side to the equation – it’s hard to know where the moral limits should be . . .
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I’ve learned to overcome my fear of heights, but I’m still too sane to climb El Capitan.
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My wife and I have done a few hikes that are a bit more dangerous than usual, but nothing like this….scaling a shear face like this is far beyond my skill level….thanks for the comment
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Prayers to Miller’s family and friends. YOu’re so right. “Nature can be very dangerous.” El Capitan is definitely on my bucket list . . . to see it, not to climb. Yosemite and Zion are tops on my list. I’m not sure if I would try Angels Landing. I think so, but I know that can be dangerous too.
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Thanks for commenting…not sure if you know but my wife and I did hike up Angel’s Landing, which is also very dangerous at the top – I didn’t share this link because I kept the story all about Yosemite….: https://johnrieber.com/2021/06/10/hiking-the-terrifying-angels-landing-americass-most-dangerous-hike/
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I thought you had hiked it. My memory is full of mush. An extended family member just hiked up it. I have to talk with them, but I think they stopped from going all the way. I was already dreaming about a trip out west and then I saw your post. Ha, ha. Which do you like better Zion or Yosemite? Or too close to call.
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I vote Zion…not only for Angel’s Landing and hiking The Narrows, but there are more areas to visit that are even more spectacular…but both are terrific!
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That is very sad news. I feel for his family and friends. 🥲
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Yes, I shared it because people may not realize that there are many accidents in these parks because there are few restrictions for climbers and hikers – who are required to understand the danger that can present itself.
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Naturally I am sorry to hear about the death of a young man in tragic circumstances. But they so often happen with climbers, cavers, and other people involved in knowingly dangerous sports. I have to say that I feel sorry for the rescue teams and search teams that so often put their own lives in danger to try to rescue these people, or recover their bodies.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes Pete, not only is it dangerous for those adventurous souls, but dangerous for the rescue teams as well..great point, thank you for bringing that up.
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