Record-breaking climber Jake Whisenant died from blunt force trauma sustained during a climbing accident in the Sierra Nevada on August 3, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Coroner announced. A witness observed Whisenant fall, resulting in his immediate death.
His death was ruled an accident, according to the coroner. Whisenant, 30, had gained national attention in October 2024 for setting a speed record on El Capitan’s Lurking Fear route in Yosemite National Park. He and fellow climber Brant Hysell completed the ascent in 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 32 seconds, surpassing the previous record.
Longtime friend Bailee Moore confirmed Whisenant's passing in an Instagram post, stating, "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 condolences from the climbing community.
Whisenant was recognized for tackling challenging climbing routes, including El Capitan. The speed record he set with Hysell broke the previous mark held by Yuji Hirayama and Nick Fowler. The pair had completed the same route in just over four hours just two days prior to setting the record.