Slow Pulse Boy by Mark Twight

Written by MARK TWIGHT

I first heard Balin Miller’s name when someone sent a cryptic note that
he might have repeated “The Reality Bath”. It seemed to be happening in
near-real time. For a few hours we chased hints and snippets, and social
media posts. Photos showed familiar, well-remembered terrain, last seen
closely in 1988. Within 24 hours of the first rumor we learned the
truth; Balin made the second ascent of “The Reality Bath”, 37 years
after the first. One more circle closed. I hadn’t spoken to Randy
Rackcliff yet but felt his excitement. We had truly stretched our necks
on the chopping block to make the first ascent, and stirred up some
controversy (mostly my doing) with the Grade we gave it. The route’s
reputation grew year after year, decade after decade, hearsay and facts
combining into legend…

READ THE REST OF THE BALIN MILLER STORY HERE: 

https://marktwight.substack.com/p/slow-pulse-boy

A few images of Balin Miller climbing “Come and Get It” in Hyalite Canyon, Montana. February of 2024. We spent a day recreating an old Gordon Wiltsie image of Alex Lowe climbing this Hyalite Canyon test piece. Balin was inspired to borrow ice tools and crampons of that era, wearing his favorite one-piece suit and a headband because Style Matters. 

Balin Miller climbing “Come and Get It” WI6 M7 - Hyalite Canyon, Montana. 02/17/2024 

This image was a concept shot that Balin had asked me to shoot with him to recreate an old Alex Lowe image, climbing this Hyalite Canyon test piece. The image of Alex Lowe, which inspired Balin to recreate, was taken by Gordon Wiltsie and hangs in the Montana State University Library. Balin had borrowed an old retro pair of ice tools, crampons, and his beloved one-piece alpine climbing suit. Style Matters and Balin brought lots of style. Balin Miller was an American climber known for solo ascents in Patagonia, Canada, and Alaska. He was the first person to solo climb the Slovak Direct route on Denali in Alaska, among other achievements. He died in an accident after reaching the summit of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California, on October 1st, 2025.

RIP Balin