RIP Balin Miller

Not sure exactly what happened, I know he was working a project on el cap earlier this week. Rest in peace to one to the top young alpinist pushing the sport.

Appears to have been another rapping off the end of a rope accident 😔

https://www.reddit.com/r/climbing/comments/1nw30s8/balin_miller_died/

see screenshot of Tom Evans post :-( 

so sad

Terrible news.

This is a fist to the gut; just awful. Sincerest condolences and thoughts to Balin's family and friends

Oh god! What a talented and inspiring guy. My condolences to family and friends.

Oh, man.  As a regular LRS climber and one who is planning on soloing El Cap soon, this hits pretty hard.  RIP.

Earlier in the week, Balin took a fall on the Hook or Book pitch of Sea of Dreams. Straightened out a hook before being caught by a fixed copperhead. He, somehow, got to the ground to resupply and rest before going back up. Apparently he had summited on the route before going down to retrieve a stuck haul bag. That’s when he rapped off the end of his rope. Always remember the climb isn’t over until you are back home in your comfy bed.

Horrible news. Balin was a comet burning brightly.

Sad….
I offer my deepest condolences to Balin’s Family and Friends. 

Really heartbreaking news. Balin was on an absolute tear this season, with some truly inspiring ice and alpine climbing. My deepest condolences to his family.

This is very sad,,, I followed Balin after hearing about his alpine exploits. and I know rapping off your rope this can happen to anyone...

But,,, his notoriety was at least partially due to his willingness and ability to take exceptional risks right? 

Telling someone they are awesome for playing Russian Roulette then being "gutted" when they perish is kind of a weird dynamic don't you think?

Derek PKwrote:

But,,, his notoriety was at least partially due to his willingness and ability to take exceptional risks right? 

Balin garnered a reputation of being bold and risky from routes he did, but if you actually climbed with him you’d know he was incredibly measured in his decision-making. This accident happened on an easy pitch after he’d fixed  and certainly wasn’t the result of him hanging it out there.

Very sad indeed.  To make the top of such a famous and difficult route and to perish in a rappelling accident is tragic beyond measure. Though I never met him, I can tell that the fire burned fiercely within him and he had both talent and boldness.

My condolences to his family and many friends.

Horrific news....such a young star, burning bright.

My condolences and prayers of peace for his family and friends.  

RIP Balin :(

Derek PKwrote:

Telling someone they are awesome for playing Russian Roulette then being "gutted" when they perish is kind of a weird dynamic don't you think?

I'd be gutted if Honnold died.

Telling someone they are awesome for playing Russian Roulette then being "gutted" when they perish is kind of a weird dynamic don't you think?

No I don't think this. He may have been known for taking big risks, but you don't get up the routes he did, in the style that he did by playing Russian Roulette. As climbers, we all admire the skill and boldness that Balin displayed in his standard-breaking climbs. Obviously it's not weird in the least for us to mourn this tragedy. Your comment is ridiculous.

Sincere condolences to his family and friends. It sounded as if Balin was a truly exceptional and inspiring person.

Started following him after his reality bath solo. Ballsy, sure, but inspiring no doubt.
Balin was a visionary climber and as an alpinist younger than him I looked up to him.

There's nothing in my mind which states that we can't celebrate impressive solos while also mourning the loss of these people too. By celebrating hard solos its not about how cool the risk factor or consequences were, its simply about a monumental achievement which no doubt was of extreme personal significance to them.

My condolences to his family and his friends. Reading the comments and posts written by his friends, it seems like he was a bright star in the lives of everyone who knew him.

Derek PKwrote:

This is very sad,,, I followed Balin after hearing about his alpine exploits. and I know rapping off your rope this can happen to anyone...

But,,, his notoriety was at least partially due to his willingness and ability to take exceptional risks right? 

Telling someone they are awesome for playing Russian Roulette then being "gutted" when they perish is kind of a weird dynamic don't you think?

This has got to be the stupidest post imaginable made in the aftermath of this man’s death..,

It's been said...."We judge others by their actions, and ourselves by our intentions."

I've been climbing now coming up on 51 years. I'm also a 34-year SAR veteran, with 817 mission days behind me, including 66 body recoveries. And I can assure you, I've recovered the bodies of some who were far more experienced than myself.

There is this irrefutable truth....we are ALL fallible human beings. Failing to acknowledge that leads to hubris....which in turn can lead to tragedy.

Rather than that, may I suggest we mourn and honor a young life lost by purposing to be respectful. Respectful enough to acknowledge that, should our own time come, we don't leave behind others who would Monday morning quarterback our passing.

Godspeed, Balin.....you were a young man of action....and you mattered.