Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, May 26: Most children celebrate their seventh birthday with cake, balloons and presents. But Joey Danger Evermore marked the occasion by scaling one of the world’s most intimidating rock faces — the legendary El Capitan inside Yosemite National Park.

Suspended thousands of feet above Yosemite Valley, Joey climbed the towering granite wall alongside his family, becoming the youngest known climber to complete the ascent. The remarkable feat captured worldwide attention not only because of his age, but also because El Capitan is considered among the most technically demanding big-wall climbs on Earth.

A Five-Day Vertical Adventure

Joey reportedly began the climb at age six and turned seven before reaching the summit, adding an extraordinary twist to the already historic ascent.

The climb lasted five days, during which Joey navigated steep granite sections using ropes, harnesses and aid-climbing systems while remaining safely secured throughout the journey.

According to his father, Joe Evermore, the family faced strong winds, exhaustion, exposure to harsh conditions and limited supplies while spending nights sleeping on hanging platforms known as portaledges attached directly to the cliff face.

Unlike ordinary climbing trips, big-wall ascents on El Capitan require climbers to live on the mountain itself for days at a time, often suspended high above the valley floor.

Joe Evermore said Joey handled several rope-management and movement tasks independently despite his young age, while always remaining connected to the safety system.

Why El Capitan Commands Global Respect

Rising more than 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, El Capitan has long been regarded as one of the ultimate challenges in rock climbing.

For decades, many climbers believed the sheer granite wall was impossible to scale until Warren Harding and his team completed the first ascent in 1958 after a grueling 45-day expedition using ropes and fixed equipment.

Since then, the mountain has become a legendary proving ground for elite climbers attempting multi-day ascents, speed records and free climbs.

The granite wall gained worldwide fame again in 2017 when Alex Honnold completed the first rope-free free solo ascent — a feat later featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo.

Climbing inside Yosemite remains inherently dangerous. Park authorities report more than 100 climbing accidents and numerous rescue operations each year, with fatalities having occurred on El Capitan over the decades due to falls, rockslides and rappelling mishaps.

A Family Already Known for Climbing Records

Joey’s climb was not the first remarkable achievement for the Evermore family.

Before him, his older brother Sam Evermore reportedly became the youngest climber to summit El Capitan at age eight in 2022.
Prior to that, Selah Schneiter drew international attention after completing the climb at age 10 in 2019.

The Evermore family, based in Colorado Springs, is known for involving their children in outdoor adventures and demanding wilderness expeditions from a young age.

Joey completed the climb alongside his father, brothers Sam and Sylvan Evermore, as well as a documentary crew filming the ascent.

Viral Images Captured the Internet’s Attention

Photos and videos from the climb quickly spread online because of the striking contrast between Joey’s tiny figure and the massive granite wall surrounding him.

In footage shared by the family, Joey can be seen dangling thousands of feet above the valley in a bright blue jacket and a colorful climbing helmet topped with a mohawk-style crest.

Rather than appearing frightened, the young climber often looked relaxed and playful while bouncing gently against the cliff attached to safety ropes.

One widely discussed moment reportedly showed Joey and his brothers playing chess on a narrow ledge high above Yosemite Valley during a climbing break.

As he neared the summit, supporters gathered below reportedly sang “Happy Birthday” from the valley floor while Joey continued climbing overhead.

Praise and Criticism Divide Public Opinion

The ascent also sparked intense online debate about parenting, risk and adventure sports involving children.

Many praised Joey’s courage, confidence and discipline, describing the climb as inspirational and extraordinary.

Others questioned whether children should participate in such dangerous environments, regardless of supervision or preparation.

Critics argued that El Capitan remains hazardous even for highly experienced adult climbers and accused the parents of exposing a child to unnecessary danger.

Joe Evermore defended the decision, saying children are often capable of far more than adults expect when they receive proper guidance, training and protection.

“Joey is gaining so much more than a record. He’s got a new identity. I can see his confidence building,” he said.

Joey’s Joke After Reaching the Summit

After completing one of the world’s most feared climbs, Joey reportedly reacted not with fear or exhaustion, but with humor.

According to his father, the young climber joked:

“I summited at six-seven.”

The playful comment referred to the fact that Joey started climbing at age six and completed the ascent after turning seven during the expedition.

For most children, turning seven means birthday parties and gifts. For Joey Danger Evermore, it meant spending his birthday suspended on a vertical granite wall thousands of feet above the ground while conquering one of climbing’s most legendary landmarks.