On October 1st, 2025, the climbing world lost one of its brightest lights.

Balin Miller, 23, a free-spirited climber from Alaska — known by thousands as “The Orange Tent Guy” on El Capitan — lost his life while completing the legendary Sea of Dreams route in Yosemite National Park.

If you watched the livestreams from Yosemite this last week, you may have seen that bright orange tent, perched high against the granite, impossible to miss. Across the nation, climbers and strangers alike cheered him on — not knowing the man behind it was one of the kindest, funniest, and most passionate souls to ever touch the rock.

Balin climbed for freedom, not fame. He lived out of his silver Prius, worked odd jobs, and scraped together what his family called his “shoestring salary” just to keep chasing the next wall. He didn’t need much — just his ropes, his gear, his music, and the open sky. His mom, Jeanine Moorman, describes him as “spastically fun, unpredictably brilliant, and endlessly curious — a spark of Robin Williams energy, wild and bright.”

Around the age of 4, his father introduced him to climbing — a love he shared deeply with his brother Dylan. Together they carried that passion from the mountains of Alaska, where they grew up, to cliffs and frozen walls across the world. Balin’s life was built around exploration, simplicity, and connection. He was a lover of animals, laughter, and people. He found joy in the smallest things and adventure in the everyday.

He had recently returned to the lower 48, spending time with family before heading back to Yosemite to lead the Sea of Dreams — a route he had long dreamed of conquering. He did. He reached the top. And while the mountain claimed his life, it could never take his spirit.

This GoFundMe has been created to help support Jeanine Moorman, Balin’s mother, through the unthinkable — covering unexpected costs, the memorial, and helping her household during this time away from work to grieve and heal.

No parent should ever have to plan their child’s journey home.

Every dollar raised will go directly to Jeanine to help cover:

• Travel and logistical expenses

• Memorial and celebration of life costs

• Any additional unexpected costs during this time

This fundraiser was created out of compassion and in response to friends and community members asking how they could help. All proceeds are intended solely for Jeanine’s support as she navigates this unimaginable loss.

Jeanine has spent the past year turning her family’s climbing photos into art — building a brand that reflects her families adventurous spirits and encourages others to get outside. Through that work, and through Balin’s incredible achievements, she’s inspires countless people to reconnect with nature and themselves.

Now, we have the opportunity to give back to them — to carry their family through this heartbreak and ensure Balin’s legacy continues to inspire. You can find the designs here to keep his legacy alive while supporting his family:

https://virrgetoutdoors.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorSvvHs-KlLGbalqa-dC_WN7xxN4KNbkltRrM9VNbwfHcRPXT7L

Balin’s climbing record reflects a life lived without fear:

Slovak Direct – Denali (Mt. McKinley)

Reality Bath – Canadian Rockies

North Buttress of Begguya (Mt. Hunter) – “The French Connection”

Slipstream – Mt. Snowdome, Canadian Rockies

Moonflower Buttress (Mount Hunter, Alaska Range)

Harvard Route (Mount Huntington, Alaska Range)

Come and Get It (Hyalite Canyon, USA) – Free solo

Nemesis (Canadian Rockies) – Free solo

Whiteman Falls (Canadian Rockies) – Free solo

Bridalveil Falls (Telluride, USA) – Free solo

Unknown White Powder (Seward Highway, AK)

Sandstone Samurai (Red Rocks, USA)

Alongside many more and his final climb — Sea of Dreams.

A route he longed to complete.

A dream he lived out fully.

Balin didn’t just climb mountains.

He moved them — in the hearts of everyone who knew him, who watched him, and who will now remember him every time they look toward the horizon.

Please consider donating, sharing, and keeping this family lifted in love.

Let’s help bring Balin home ⛺

A memorial service to celebrate Balin’s beautiful life will be announced soon.