A Colorado dad responded to backlash for climbing Yosemite’s El Capitan with his seven-year-old son.
Father-of-four Joe Evermore, 44, is popular online for his death-defying videos showing his family’s impressive climbing adventures.
In May, his son, who he named Joey Danger, celebrated his seventh birthday by climbing the mecca of modern rock climbing, the 3,000ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
The feat made him the youngest person to climb the largest granite cliff in the world, Evermore claimed.
Evermore shared the news with his followers online, but he told People that many commenters were not happy with the feat.
He said that some viewers were so outraged that they called Child Protective Services on him and his wife, Ann, 39.
‘There’s a lot of bullying that goes on online,’ Evermore said.
Evermore said that the agency told him they had to review multiple complaints but declined to pursue them.
Father-of-four Joe Evermore, 44, is popular online for his death-defying vidoes showing his family’s impressive climbing adventures. His son Joey Danger climbed Yosemite’s El Capitan on his seventh birthday
Evermore said that some viewers were so outraged that they called Child Protective Services
‘There are people that think, “Hey, your kids would be better put in a foster system or put in front of a television,” rather than training daily for an epic mission,’ Evermore said.
‘They just don’t understand what’s dangerous and what’s not dangerous,’ he said. ‘It’s kind of like someone who says, ‘How can you go on a plane? What if the wings fall off?’ It’s like, no, you’re not even thinking about the actual dangers of the sport.’
He said he was not concerned about his son falling because he is ‘bolted to the wall.’
‘Somebody just sees it, and they’re terrified and comment, ‘This is obviously too dangerous.’ I admit that there are risks, but I think the benefits far outweigh the risks. As a dad, I’m mitigating those risks with a team, with good preparation and with our own skill and our own training.’
‘So far, we’ve executed it perfectly,’ he added.
His other sons, Sam Adventure, 12, Sylvan Lightyear, nine, and Blaze Wilder, one, have been climbing mountains with their dad ever since they learned how to walk.
With the new record on his list, Joey beat his brother, Sylvan’s, record that he had achieved at the age of nine.
His other sons – Sam Adventure, 12, Silven Lightyear, nine, and Blaze Wilder, one – have all been climbing mountains with their dad
Joe said that many commenters do not have a strong background in climbing to understand its nuances. The family will continue to climb despite the backlash
Evermore posed the question to his followers online as well.
He said: ‘Not everyone is a fan of our El Capitan ascent. Some people have even suggested that our parenting deserved a CPS investigation.’
‘It is hard to understand how anyone could believe Joey Danger would be better off separated from the parents who love him, train beside him, protect him, and are intentionally forming him into a strong and capable young man.’
‘You do not have to agree with every decision we make, but this raises an important question: What does healthy challenge look like for children, and who should decide? We are glad to inspire such an important online discussion.’
‘Tell us what you think,’ he asked.
The backlash, however, is not going to stop the family from continuing their adventures.
He told SWNS that each year one of his sons is given a challenge ‘designed to push them beyond their comfort zone.’
‘The rules are that it has to be difficult, remarkable – but safe.’
Now with Joe and Ann all set to welcome their fifth kid – a girl, he says she will also be a part of this adventure soon.
‘She’s definitely going to climb too. We’ve had so many dads tell us they’ve been inspired by what we’re doing.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Child Protective Services for a comment.
