Colorado father says CPS reviewed complaints after son, 7, climbed El Capitan

Left · 1A Colorado father who climbed Yosemite's El Capitan with his 7-year-old son has said someone called child protective services to question his parenting. 1 Right · 1The father is Joe Evermore, from Colorado Springs. He and his wife Ann take their young sons on climbing expeditions. 2 Right · 1His son Joey completed the El Capitan climb in May and reportedly became the youngest person to do so. The New York Post gives no source for that record. 2

Right · 1According to the father, the climb took six days. It began when Joey was six and ended after he turned seven. The family faced wind storms, exposure, food and water rationing, and exhaustion. 2 Right · 1Joey climbed with his older brothers Sam and Sylvan, his father and a documentary crew. He was attached to the wall throughout. 2 Right · 1Evermore told PEOPLE that some online critics went as far as reporting him and his wife to Child Protective Services. The family received a letter from CPS saying it had reviewed multiple complaints and decided not to pursue them. 2

Right · 1Evermore defends the climb. He says critics do not understand what is dangerous in climbing, and that his son is "bolted to the wall". He says he is more worried about falling objects near the base than about a fall higher up. He acknowledges risks but says the benefits far outweigh them, and that he reduces them with a team, preparation and training. 2 Mixed · 2ABC News describes the episode as a parenting debate. Social media reaction was split between celebration of the boy's achievement and attempts to have the children removed. 1 2