Speed climber Jake Whisenant, 30, dies following an accident in California’s Sierra Nevada, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office coroner. The reports say his death is confirmed by his friend Bailee Moore.
Whisenant was known for speed climbing Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan. In October 2024, multiple outlets say he drew national attention when he and another climber completed the Lurking Fear route in just under three hours. One outlet identifies his climbing partner as Brant Hysell, while others describe the achievement more generally.
Outlets agree on the broad details of the death and his prominence in speed climbing. They do not provide a cause of death, and the extent and circumstances of the Sierra Nevada accident remain undisclosed in the available accounts. The climbing community responds with tributes after news of his death circulates online.
