Witnesses describe the horror of streaming climber Balin Miller’s fatal fall in Yosemite
A Tiktok user said he accidentally posted a video of rock climbing star Balin Miller in the fatal fall of Yosemite National Park detailing what he saw and postponed speculation about the incident.
In the clip released Friday night, the creator on the account seat.
“I just wanted to make this video to fix the situation with El Cap on Wednesday,” he said. “I’m Eric. I’m a Yosemite fan and a person who loves national parks and nature.”
Eric explained that he was in Yosemite after the volunteer garbage cleaning event and has been using remote range to photograph climbers so that viewers can “celebrate the climbers and the great achievements they have performed here.”
He said he tracked Miller, who was on the Dreams of Dreams route when the 23-year-old approached the top, and many of his audiences called the “orange tent” climbers. According to his account, Miller reaches the finish, anchors, and then descends to release the stuck towing bag.
“Then we saw him leaning on the end of the rope,” Eric said. “And I saw him falling to the ground the entire distance. I couldn’t believe it. I was absolutely shocked.”
He said the bystanders called 911, Rangers and a helicopter to recover. The fall happened on the first day of the federal government’s closure, and Yosemite was open but had limited operations.
Eric also rejected Miller’s early claims of streaming content himself.
“He wasn’t involved in the filming or live streaming process at all. He wasn’t an influencer or something like that. I did see some reports that it was totally untrue,” he said.
Eric estimated that in a few days, “more than 100,000 people” were circulating in his stream, watching hundreds of people in the autumn moment. He added that he later shared the video with Yosemite law enforcement rangers.
Alaska climber Balin Miller zoomed in September 2024 at Crocodile Rock in Hyalite Canyon near Bozeman, Montana. (Dylan Miller/AP)
Authorities say the incident is still under investigation. Episode witnesses said Miller fell after falling at the end of the rope while trying to release fixtures above his dreams, the route that the infamous El Capitan continues.
Miller’s mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, confirmed his death.
“He has been climbing since he was a child,” she said. “His heart and soul really just climbing. He likes climbing, and it’s never about money and fame.”
His brother Dylan Miller added: “I am his big brother, but he is my mentor.”
Alpinist grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, becoming one of the sport’s breakthrough names in 2025, with historic Denali’s Slovakian direct solos, as well as a series of tough solos in Patagonia and Canadian Rockies. He is often recognized in Yosemite for his bright Portaledge and playful glitter stripes on his cheeks.
Eric ended his video, not sure if he would continue shooting from the grass.
“My goal is just to share what El Cap is like,” he said. “I will continue to bring you my love for nature, national parks and Yosemite. That’s what I’m going to say now.”
The video attracted hundreds of answers, and they tuned in to watch Miller’s rise. “Everyone is shaking,” one commenter wrote. Another said watching the accident happen, making them “unbelievable and heartbreaking.”
Matthias Gafni contributed to the report.
This article was originally published in Witnesses describe the horror of streaming climber Balin Miller’s fatal fall in Yosemite.
