Balin Miller, a 23-year-old rising climbing star, dies in fall at Yosemite National Park

Alaskan climber Balin Miller fell to his death on Wednesday, following a climbing accident on El Capitan, the famed vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park. He was 23 years old.

“Balin was full of life — a true wild card at heart,” Jeanine Moorman, Miller’s mother, wrote in a blog post on the website for the family’s outdoor business, VRR. “He lived simply, often out of his silver Prius, scraping together a shoestring income to support his greatest passion: climbing.”

Moorman, who described the loss as “unthinkable,” added of her son, “He was more than just a climber. Balin was a lover of animals, of laughter, of pure silliness and joy. He had a spark — spastically fun and unpredictably brilliant, with a touch of Robin Williams’ wild energy. Strategic, curious, and endlessly playful, he brought light wherever he went.”

Miller fell to his death from 2,400 feet (730m) while climbing the “Sea of Dreams” route on El Capitan. While the exact details surrounding his death remain unknown, Miller’s brother, Dylan, told AFP via BBC that he was lead rope soloing — climbing alone while attached with a rope — when the fatal fall occurred. Miller had finished the climb and was attempting to retrieve his stuck bags when he reportedly rappelled off the end of his rope.

The late alpinist became recognized as the “orange tent guy” on TikTok, where he would livestream some of his climbs. The nickname stemmed from the distinct color of the equipment Miller used on his expeditions. Miller told Climb magazine earlier this year that he often put silver glitter on his cheekbones before his climbs to resemble “a warrior putting makeup on before going into battle.”

Miller’s death marks the third at Yosemite National Park this year.