The El Capitan sheer rock face at Yosemite National Park in the United States was scaled by an eight-year-old Colorado kid, who now holds the record for being the youngest person to accomplish this feat. According to a Facebook post, Sam Adventure Baker and his father, Joe Baker, made an effort to complete the climb.
“I’m so proud of Sam. He completed the youngest rope ascent of El Cap! In a few years he might be back-breaking more records,” Joe Baker wrote on Facebook along with their pictures.
The two began their ascent on Tuesday of last week, according to a report, and they were a part of a four-person team that was working in two distinct pairs. It was the other person’s job to “lay the ropes” and remain behind while the other person climbed forward.
The previous record belonged to Selah Schneiter who finished the climb at the age of 10
Selah Schneiter, who completed the climb in 2019 at the age of 10, held the previous record. People from many nations have attempted to scale the El Capitan over the years despite its reputation as being a difficult challenge for climbers. Joe Baker stated during a talk show interview that it had been a lifelong goal of his to accompany his son on the “mythical ascent.”
“It’s just a mythic place. It’s kind of like the mecca of rock climbing. It’s so big and it’s such a big adventure and also an opportunity,” the 40-year-old said on “Good Morning America”. “Nobody else is going to do this and so we thought it was a great opportunity to do with our kids.”