Yosemite speed climber who set record for scaling deadly El Capitan dies in Sierra Nevada accident

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 August 3, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Coroner.

Officials have not released further details about the circumstances of the accident, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

His self-described longtime friend Bailee Moore confirmed the death in an Instagram post shared this week.

“It is with an impossibly heavy heart that I share the passing of my lifelong friend and confidant—Jacob Daniel Whisenant,” Moore wrote. “Our family is absolutely devastated by this news but find solace in the fact that Jake died doing what he loves in the beautiful Sierra Nevada.”

The announcement prompted an outpouring of condolences from fellow climbers and members of the climbing community.

Whisenant gained national attention in October 2024 when he and South Lake Tahoe climber Brant Hysell completed the Lurking Fear route on El Capitan in just 2 hours, 55 minutes and 32 seconds.

Climbing magazine Gripped reported that the ascent broke the previous speed record held by Yuji Hirayama and Nick Fowler.

Whisenant continued climbing in Yosemite. In May, the Yosemite Climbing Association reported that he and Noah Fox climbed the Nose route twice in a single day, finishing in 14 hours and 38 minutes.

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