A record-breaking climber known for his remarkable speed ascents has died in an accident in California's Sierra Nevada.
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Jacob "Jake" Whisenant, 30, died on August 3 while climbing in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon area.
Authorities have not released further details surrounding the circumstances of the fatal incident.
Whisenant had previously made headlines for his achievements on some of America's most challenging climbing routes, including a record-breaking ascent of Yosemite's El Capitan.
Climber Dies Following Sierra Nevada Accident
Whisenant's longtime friend Bailee Moore confirmed his death in an emotional social media tribute.
"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."
Moore concluded the post, saying ""I will look for you in every life, my brother. Now go rest high up on that mountain."
The National Park Service (NPS) confirmed that emergency crews responded to a "climbing-related incident" in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon area.
Rangers conducted a rescue and recovery operation over two days before locating Whisenant's body.
Fiancée Pays Heartbreaking Tribute to Jake Whisenant
Whisenant's fiancée, Emma London, also confirmed his death in a heartfelt obituary shared online.
She recalled that she "received the call that no one ever wants to get about the love of their life".
"Jake had fallen to his death while climbing a first ascent in Sequoia Kings Canyon," London wrote. "As dusk turned to night, I was forced to say goodbye to the last day we were both here on Earth."
Whisenant gained national attention in October 2024 when he and fellow climber Brant Hysell completed the Lurking Fear route on El Capitan in just two hours, 55 minutes and 32 seconds.
Their remarkable ascent reportedly broke the previous speed record held by Yuji Hirayama and Nick Fowler.
Just two days earlier, Whisenant and Hysell had completed the same route in slightly more than four hours.
In May, he and Noah Fox reportedly climbed El Capitan's famous Nose route twice in a single day, completing the feat in 14 hours and 38 minutes.
The Nose remains one of El Capitan's most famous routes and ranks among Yosemite's classic big-wall climbing challenges.
