Boy, 7, Summits El Capitan; Parents Face Welfare Probe

Joe Evermore, an experienced climber from Colorado, set out in May with his son Joey, who was six years old at the start of the journey and turned seven during the climb itself. Their destination was El Capitan, the massive granite monolith in California's Yosemite National Park that rises some 3,000 feet above the valley floor.

After five days on the rock face, father and son reached the summit. Joey became, according to reports, the youngest person ever to complete the climb of the iconic wall. He also broke the family record set by his older brother, who summited at age eight.

Joey Evermore during the five-day ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (Photo: social media)

But the achievement, which drew attention across social media, also sparked fierce criticism. Many commenters expressed alarm that parents would allow young children to take part in expeditions involving mortal risk. According to the father, the backlash went beyond online comments: he and his wife Ann found themselves dealing with multiple complaints filed with child-protective services in the United States.

In an interview with the American outlet People, Evermore said the family received a letter from welfare authorities stating that the complaints had been reviewed but that the agency had decided not to pursue them further. He said some online critics argued that the children should be placed in foster care rather than taken on dangerous adventures by their parents.

The father rejects claims that the climb was irresponsible. He says many of the critics are unfamiliar with the climbing world and the safety protocols standard in it. He stressed that his son was secured to the cliff by ropes and anchors throughout, and that the expedition was carried out with a support team and after extensive preparation.

The Evermore family documents their climbs on social media, where the latest feat drew both praise and outrage (Photo: social media)

According to Evermore, Joey trained for months in the family's backyard, including practicing climbs on a tree for hours at a time, five days a week. The father said the preparation was designed to give his son the skills needed to handle the challenges ahead.

Still, even the father acknowledges the journey was not without difficulty. In the interview, he recounted that his son cried during the climb, sometimes after minor injuries to his hands or after getting stuck on a difficult section. He said the boy never asked to quit, and they continued together until they reached the top.

Evermore argued that the dangers in climbing are not always the ones visible to outside observers. He said he is particularly concerned about rocks or objects that might fall from above, and relies on the team, the training and the equipment to minimize risk.

"I acknowledge there are risks, but I think the benefits outweigh them," the father explained. "I mitigate the risks through the team, good preparation, our skill and our training."

The family, which lives in Colorado Springs, regularly documents its climbing expeditions on social media. All three sons take part in extraordinary challenges, and the parents see them as a way to build confidence, perseverance and family bonds.