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
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.
Is “free climbing” a thing? I was referencing “free climbing” in general.