CNN
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An 8-year-old boy turned the youngest individual to complete climbing El Capitan in California’s Yosemite Nationwide Park on Friday, in line with his father, who has been by his aspect and cheering him on because the pair started their journey earlier this week.
Sam Journey Baker achieved the feat Friday night, his father mentioned in a Fb publish.
“What an incredible week! I’m so happy with Sam,” Joe Baker wrote within the publish. “He accomplished the youngest rope ascent of ElCap!”
The duo have been scaling the rock since Tuesday as a part of a four-person workforce, the place one individual climbs forward of the crew and units the ropes for others to comply with.
Earlier Friday, the pair informed CNN they’d hold a banner on their approach up that claims, “I like you, Mother, nearly there.”
Mountaineering has lengthy been part of the household’s actions – Sam was “in a harness earlier than he might stroll,” his father mentioned, including that his spouse can also be in love with the game.
Sam’s mom, Ann Baker, informed CNN they’ve been supportive of Sam’s adventures.
“He appears actually completely satisfied to be up there and spirits are excessive,” she mentioned.
After resting in a double sleeping bag, Joe and Sam will put in an eight-mile hike Saturday away from the face of El Capitan, in line with the Fb publish.
“We will probably be in afterglow for days,” Joe mentioned.
El Capitan stands at greater than 3,000 toes from valley floor, in line with the Yosemite Nationwide Park web site.
And all through the four-day climb, Joe anticipated his son would cry “as a result of it’s onerous. It’s emotional, however he has been so powerful and labored by way of all of it.”
Sam’s bravery is hardly a shock. The younger boy has been coaching tackle the historic feat for at the very least 18 months, his father mentioned. The pair had additionally climbed Moonlight Buttress in Utah’s Zion Nationwide Park, which reassured his father that Sam was prepared for El Capitan.
“He did terrific on it and actually confirmed us that he might deal with the publicity,” Joe mentioned.