7-year-old climbs El Capitan, celebrates birthday on the mountain
A 7-year-old boy has reached the top of California's El Capitan.
Joey Danger Evermore, who began the climb on Sunday as a 6-year-old, summited the infamous, 7,573-foot monolith in Yosemite National Park, making him the youngest person to achieve the feat since his brother completed the task at age 8 in 2022, according to a representative for the family.
Joey Evermore completed the climb alongside his older brothers, Sam Evermore and Sylvan Evermore, his father Joe Evermore and a documentary crew.
"Joey’s birthday has been amazing. He started this journey as a six year old and now he’s seven about to complete the impossible. A five day ascent of ElCapitan," wrote Sam and Joe Evermore in a joint Instagram post documenting the feat this week.
The Evermore family is from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and began the climb on Sunday, reaching the summit on Thursday night.
Joey Evermore celebrated his birthday on the mountain, turning 7 on Wednesday.
After climbing El Capitan as an 8-year-old, Sam Evermore previously climbed the Matterhorn as an 11-year-old in 2025.
According to a representative for the family, the group climbs "to inspire other families that anything is possible if you challenge one another and push through challenges and adversity. "
"The El Capitan trail is one of the most challenging hikes in Yosemite and both, incredibly exhausting and satisfying to conquer," according to a Yosemite tourism website.
Selah Schneiter previously made history, becoming the youngest climber to reach the top of El Capitan in June 2019 at 10 years old.
Joe Evermore previously told ABC News each of their boys (once they turn 5) takes on one "colossal goal" each year.
"It has to be so big we work on it a little bit every day," he said of training with his four children. "It's got to be remarkable, something we can hang on the wall, and most importantly -- you can't die, so you have to do it safely."
For parents looking to follow in their footsteps, Joe Evermore suggests starting smaller.
"Just be intentional with your kids," he said. "Put together some kind of plan. It doesn't have to be climbing mountains -- it could be something like an annual parent-child road trip. The important thing is creating those bonds and helping our children become courageous adults."
