Posted on 08/10/2026 1:20:35 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A 30-year-old climber who made headlines for racing up Yosemite’s famed El Capitan in record time has died in an accident in the Sierra Nevada.
Jake Whisenant, a Mammoth Lakes climber known for his speed ascents, died Aug. 3, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Coroner.
Officials have not released further details about the circumstances of the accident.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
If this interests you, check out the documentary “ attack on El Capitan”
It’s about the two ascents of the face called wings of steel.
As far as I know, no one else has done it.
You're right. And that’s a significant detail, though arguably self-evident.
“Now I’m Free…..Free Falling…..”
Balanced on the biggest wave,
You race to-wards an early grave.
RE: free climbing
No prominent or specific references were found to Jake Whisenant (also referred to as Jacob Whisenant) free climbing in the technical sense of free ascents (climbing using only natural holds for progress, with gear solely for protection, without aid).
Searches across web results, climbing sites, and X (Twitter) turned up no accounts, reports, or posts specifically attributing free climbs, free ascents, or freeclimbing milestones to Jake Whisenant.
~ Grok 4.5 thought for 23s
May also include a big dose of adrenalin addiction and supreme need for recognition in addition to skill and confidence.
His last effort indicated that skill and confidence may not have been enough too keep him alive. Very sad ending
Spoke with a buddy that is guiding on Reiner and Hood currently . Story is Jake was climbing alone, but roped up. He was self belaying.
Accidents happen. Some people love adventure. Not everyone’s goal is life to, “ Die an old man laying in bed, pissing all over his self.”
Also, I have never met a SAR that felt like climbers in trouble were putting the SAR at risk. They are climbers also. Out doing the same thing when not on duty.
They do complain about folks that go out without food, water, location finding devices (maps). Also those extreme hikers that try class 5+ without any training or equipment.
Reminds me of all the dead bodies littering Mt. Everest.. what a waste.
Is “free climbing” a thing? I was referencing “free climbing” in general.
Gravity, however, is widely suspected of being involved.
Everyone makes mistakes. And that statement does not mesh well with free climbing.
One of the best things about climbing, is that you don’t have to do it
Well I saw “Free Solo” which showed Alex Honnold’s free and solo assent on El Capitan. Gave me the willies.
I once climbed the Grand Teton. But now at seventy-eight years old, I have acrophobia, an unresonable fear of heights. I hope soon to overcome that and then I can watch things like you “attack on El Capitan” without white knuckes on the arm chair...
You are indeed wise.
Haste makes waste!
“Officials have not released further details about the circumstances of the accident.“
I’m guessing he fell…down…
My son was one of those crazy climbers. I have pictures of him sleeping on a home made bed platform thousands of feet up, just hanging on ropes.
He fell a few years ago when the pitons placed by his climbing partner let loose. He fell about 100 ft, and the last piton held, swinging him onto a ledge. His climbing partner was not so lucky.
My son called for rescue, and they sent a helicopter. My son put his partner in a basket from the helicopter for removal and then proceeded to climb down and hike several miles out.
He told me that while he was free falling, he thought to himself, “When I got up this morning, I didn’t think it was my day to die.” That’s when the last piton held and swung him into a ledge, where he called rescue.
He continued to climb for many years after that.
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