Jake Whisenant, the record-breaking climber known for his blazing run up Yosemite’s El Capitan, died from blunt force trauma after a fall during a climb in the Sierra Nevada, officials said.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Coroner said Whisenant, 30, died on Aug. 3 and ruled the death an accident. A witness saw him fall, and the incident led to an instant death, TMZ reported. His longtime friend Bailee Moore confirmed the death in an Instagram post this week, calling Whisenant her “lifelong friend and confidant.” She said her family was devastated but took comfort in the fact that he died doing what he loved in the Sierra Nevada.
Moore’s post prompted an outpouring of condolences from fellow climbers who knew Whisenant for his talent and speed on some of the country’s toughest routes. He had built a reputation as an accomplished climber willing to take on demanding ascents that drew attention well beyond the climbing world.
Whisenant became a national name in October 2024 when he and South Lake Tahoe climber Brant Hysell completed El Capitan’s Lurking Fear route in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 32 seconds. That time broke the previous speed mark held by Yuji Hirayama and Nick Fowler, according to Gripped. The achievement came only two days after Whisenant and Hysell had completed the same route in a little more than four hours.
