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Jake Whisenant, Who Raced Up Yosemite’s El Capitan at Record Speed, Dies in a Fall
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Jake Whisenant, a renowned rock climber known for record-setting speed ascents of El Capitan, died in a climbing accident in California’s Sierra Nevada on August 2, 2025, after a fall in Sequoia National Park.
- Whisenant, 30, was found dead by rangers following a two-day search, with authorities confirming his death and a friend also verifying the news.
- In October 2024, Whisenant and Brant Hysell set a record for the fastest ascent of Lurking Fear on El Capitan, completing the 2,000-foot route in under three hours, significantly faster than the previous record set in 2003.
- Whisenant and his climbing partners also set a record in June 2025 for The Prow route on Washington Column and completed the challenging Nose route on El Capitan twice in one day in May 2025.
- Whisenant was celebrated in the climbing community for his ambitious speed climbs, contributing to the growing popularity of El Capitan climbs following media exposure like the 2018 documentary "Free Solo."
