Speed climber Jacob Whisenant dies in Sierra Nevada 'climbing-related incident'

Whisenant's death was listed an accident.

ByNadine El-Bawab ABCNews logo
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 6:51PM
Speed climber Jacob Whisenant dies in 'climbing-related incident'
Climber Jacob Whisenant, 30, died in a climbing accident at California's Sierra Nevada range last week.
William Hale Irwin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Climber Jacob Whisenant, 30, died in a climbing accident at California's Sierra Nevada range last week. 

The National Park Service said it responded to a "climbing-related incident" in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness on Aug. 2. 

Search and rescue and recovery operations were conducted over a two-day period and Whisenant was found dead by rangers, the NPS said. 

He was transferred to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office, according to the NPS.

Whisenant's death is listed as an "accident," according to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. 

Vehicles line the road under El Capitan Yosemite Valley National Park, CA June 14, 2026.
Vehicles line the road under El Capitan Yosemite Valley National Park, CA June 14, 2026.
William Hale Irwin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Whisenant holds the fastest climb record of Lurking Fear, a 2,000-foot route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Whisenant and Brant Hysell completed the route in two days, 55 minutes and 32 seconds in October 2024, according to a list of speed records in Yosemite Valley. 

Last year, Whisenant and Hysell set another speed climbing record, climbing The Prow, on Yosemite's Washington Column in 2 hours and 52 minutes, according to the list.

Whisenant's loved ones set up a GoFundMe to help support his family during this time.

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