As I write this, with tears streaming down my face and a heart heavier than words can bear, I need to share the unimaginable: my beautiful son Balin Miller, lost his life while climbing.

On October 1st, while attempting to summit the route Sea of Dreams on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, an accident occurred that took his life.

Balin was full of life — a true wild card at heart. He lived simply, often out of his silver Prius, scraping together a shoestring income to support his greatest passion: climbing From a young age, his father introduced him to rock climbing, a love he shared with his brother Dylan. Together they carried that passion from the mountains of Alaska, where they grew up, to cliffs and ranges across the world, living a nomadic life in pursuit of adventure.

He was more than just a climber. Balin was a lover of animals, of laughter, of pure silliness and joy. He had a spark — spastically fun and unpredictably brilliant, with a touch of Robin Williams’ wild energy. Strategic, curious, and endlessly playful, he brought light wherever he went.

He had recently been in Alaska, ice and alpine climbing, and had just come home to visit us for a short while. In Yosemite, he was chasing another dream — to lead a route he had long hoped to climb, preparing to meet family in the fall.

This is unthinkable. At this time, we do not yet know all the details. What we do know is that the world has lost an extraordinary soul, and our hearts are shattered. I am going to share this raw and relatable image of Balin for you all to enjoy.