Jake Whisenant, the record-breaking climber who gained fame for racing up Yosemite’s famed El Capitan in record time died from blunt force trauma sustained during a climb.
Whisenant, 30, died after an accident during a climb in the Sierra Nevada on Aug. 3, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Coroner.
The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma and the manner of death was ruled an accident, according to the Tulare County Coroner. A witness saw Whisenant fall, leading to an instant death, TMZ reported.
His self-described longtime friend Bailee Moore confirmed his death in an Instagram post 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 sparked an outpouring of condolences from fellow climbers.
Whisenant was an accomplished climber who tackled some of the country’s most challenging routes, including Yosemite’s famed El Capitan.
He gained national attention in October 2024 when he and South Lake Tahoe climber Brant Hysell completed El Capitan’s Lurking Fear route in just 2 hours, 55 minutes and 32 seconds.
Climbing magazine Gripped reported the feat broke the previous speed record held by Yuji Hirayama and Nick Fowler.
The record came just two days after Whisenant and Hysell completed the same grueling route in slightly more than four hours.