11-Year-Old Sam Evermore Sets Record Climb; Summits Iconic Mountain made Famous by Disney
Via OANN:
In a recent sit-down with Riley Lewis, father-son climbing duo Joe and Sam Evermore reflected on their extraordinary achievement: Sam, at just 11 years old, became the youngest American ever to summit the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Their conversation captured the mix of preparation, challenge, and exhilaration that defined their journey.
Riley opened by asking Sam how it felt to be standing at the peak of one of the world’s most iconic and dangerous mountains. Sam admitted that the moment was almost surreal—standing in the thin Alpine air, looking out at jagged ridges and endless sky, realizing he had just done something that few adults ever achieve. “It didn’t feel real at first,” Sam said, grinning. “I was just so happy we made it.”
Joe added that for him, the climb was about far more than records. “It wasn’t about checking a box,” he told Riley. “It was about sharing an adventure with my son and teaching him what it means to work hard for something.” Joe emphasized that the climb required two years of careful preparation, including physical conditioning, technical training, and acclimatization to high-altitude conditions. Safety, he stressed, was always their top priority.
Riley then asked Sam about the hardest part of the climb. Without hesitation, Sam replied that the exhaustion from the steep rock faces and narrow ridgelines tested his limits. He described how his legs burned and his lungs felt tight in the thin air. But he also remembered how his dad encouraged him step by step. “He kept telling me, ‘One move at a time, don’t think about the whole mountain,’” Sam said. That mindset, Sam admitted, helped him push past fear and fatigue.
Why the Matterhorn so Daunting
Joe described his own emotions during the ascent as a mix of pride and nerves. Watching his son move confidently over terrain that challenges seasoned mountaineers was both inspiring and humbling. “He has this ability to stay calm in situations that make a lot of people freeze,” Joe noted. Riley pressed him on whether he worried about putting his young son in danger, and Joe acknowledged the question directly. “Of course,” he said. “But we took every precaution. Sam wasn’t pushed into this—he wanted it. And I know his capabilities.”
The conversation turned to how Sam got into climbing at such a young age. Joe explained that the outdoors has always been central to their family life. Sam started hiking before he could tie his shoes and soon graduated to ropes and walls. By age eight, Sam had already drawn national attention as the youngest climber to ascend Yosemite’s El Capitan using rope systems. “Adventure is just part of who he is,” Joe said.
Sam chimed in, saying he loves climbing because it makes him feel both small and strong at the same time. “You’re out there against this huge mountain, but every move you make gets you higher. It’s like a puzzle,” he explained. Riley noted how remarkably composed and thoughtful Sam sounded for someone his age, joking that Sam seemed “11 going on 30.”
The interview also touched on what comes next. Joe said there is no rush to break more records. Instead, the focus will be on keeping adventures meaningful, safe, and fun. Sam, however, lit up when Riley asked about his climbing bucket list. He rattled off Denali, Aconcagua, and even Mount Everest someday. “I know that’s way down the road,” he said, “but I want to keep seeing what’s possible.”
As the conversation wound down, Riley asked Joe what he hopes Sam takes away from these adventures beyond the accolades. Joe’s answer was simple: resilience, humility, and gratitude. “The mountains teach us that we’re never really in control,” he said. “But if you prepare, trust your team, and keep moving forward, you can reach places you never thought you could.”
Sam closed the interview with a smile, saying he just hoped other kids would see his story and realize they don’t have to wait until they’re grown up to chase big goals. “You can start now,” he said. “You just have to believe you can.”
