Adventure means something different to everyone. For some, it’s the thrill of an amusement park, a night of city exploration, or a daring escape room. For others, it’s the call of the wild–hiking through rugged landscapes, scaling rock faces, or carving through fresh powder on a mountain slope. While adventure can take many forms, the Evermore family takes it to a whole new level.
For the Evermores, adventure is more than just a weekend outing–it’s entwined in their everyday life. Year after year, they push boundaries, setting records and reaching summits that most only dream about. The oldest child, Sam Adventure, was just 10 years old and became the youngest person in the world to climb the daunting El Capitan mountain in Yosemite National Park. His brother Sylvan Lightyear, only seven, made history as the youngest climber to conquer Wolf’s Head. Even five-year old Joey Danger joined the ranks with his first big
climb, Pingora.
“All three boys have climbed Pingora,” shares their dad, Joe Evermore. “It was so cool because it was a full family event where Sam led all the pitches, and then Sylvan climbed alongside Joey and encouraged him. Me and Anne [mom] were supervising, but it was like this kid-run adventure where these three boys are climbing the wall.”
Big Dreams, Bigger Goals
In the Evermore household, each child sets a goal every year, and it must follow these rules:
1. It has to be so big that it feels impossible when you set it, and you have to work on it a little bit every day.
2. The goal must be remarkable and make for a good picture on the wall.
3. You can’t die.
Joe and Anne have found clever ways to keep their kids motivated, even when exhaustion hits or a goal feels out of reach. One way they do this is by celebrating what their children do and who they are. The family isn’t very big on birthdays; instead, they highlight and celebrate extraordinary achievements the kids have made. In their house, they have a map of where and what their sons have done so they can see what they’ve accomplished.
Rewards also play a key role–especially during climbs. The young climbers get rare treats like Sour Patch Kids or Swedish Fish to keep them going. And when the adventure is over, they have a sweet family tradition. “After each mountain, we go out for ice cream. I usually give the person a huge tip, and I show them a way to make these huge ice cream cones that are like a foot tall,” Joe shares.
And for this family, these sugary snacks are truly special treats. The Evermores are health-conscious, so things like ice cream and candy are rarely part of their diet. This makes the moments they do indulge–whether it’s a handful of candy during an ascent or a towering ice cream cone after a successful climb–all the more meaningful.
Facing Fears and Staying Safe
Fear is a natural part of the Evermore family’s adventures, which they confront head-on. “We talk a lot about fear. What I teach the kids is that a person with no fear is a really dangerous person. Fear is what keeps you alive,” Joe explains. The kids know how to manage their fear, and one way they do this is by having a deep understanding of their technical gear. Another essential piece is having trust in their dad.
Moreover, safety is always the top concern for the Evermores. They meticulously plan their routes, train for the specific climb, and follow strict rules and boundaries.
“Climbing El Capitan with a kid takes a ton of training,” Joe says. “Sam had to learn a whole series of disciplines to be able to do that at eight years old.”
Despite their precautions, not everyone approves of their lifestyle.
“Sam has a video that is just going crazy viral, and there’s a list of people who are like ‘I am calling CPS on you right now’ and ‘You shouldn’t even be parents,’” Joe shares. “Most people see something that looks scary, so they can’t really interpret what’s going on. It’s just terrifying to imagine for them–it’s like something out of a bad dream they had.”
While many admire Sam’s accomplishments, some are quick to judge. When Sam’s videos began receiving these comments, they were hurtful, and Joe would delete them. But since then, Joe has changed his approach. “I take those comments and pin them right to the top instead of deleting them. Then what happens is everybody else responds to them, and that just makes the post go viral.”
The Evermore family’s approach to adventure is about more than just breaking records or scaling mountains–it’s about setting big goals, celebrating achievements, and facing challenges together as a family. Through discipline, fear management, and a strong focus on safety, they show that the greatest adventures often happen when you push past your limits. The family’s adventures are an inspiring reminder that with the right mindset, the impossible can become possible.
Learn more about the Evermores by visiting their website samadventure.com, or following Sam on Instagram @samadventure.
