‘Bad Parenting’? Boy Dances on Portaledge and People Have a Lot to Say

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Young Samuel Baker has a life full of adventure ahead of him. As the youngest person to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, which he did back in 2022 at age eight, Baker is already a seasoned climber, even though he’s years away from being able to drive a car. But not everyone agrees that Baker’s parents are doing the right thing by taking him climbing on routes like El Cap. A recent Instagram post to Baker’s parent-managed account showed the young boy dancing on a portaledge attached to El Cap’s sheer face. The post garnered a lot of attention, including no shortage of both positive and negative feedback on the Bakers’ parenting.

The video shows Baker and his dad Joe two-thirds of the way up El Capitan. Young Sam had unfurled a sign hanging from his portaledge that said, “Almost There! I Love You Mom!” The post delves into the question of parenting, even asking for others’ opinions. That was a dangerous move, because people did not hold back.

“Some people have called CPS on Joe and Ann because they think this is too dangerous for a kid to do. While others think they are the best parents ever,” the post from mid-November reads. “Joe and Ann take all three of their boys climbing on a regular basis each of them has set climbing records.”

One person wrote: “Adventures are great with kids but placing a jumping child off the side of a mountain is ludicrous. He’s not old enough to make informed decisions. That is what his parents are for. To keep him safe.”

Another wrote: “I’m all for letting kids go out there and risk skinning a knee. But that’s a big NOPE.”

There are many supportive voices in the mix as well. One wrote: “I think it’s absolutely awesome! You assess the dangers and then you ask if they want to do something awesome with you. If they do, then you go for it!”

Watch a young boy’s joyful moment on a portaledge while climbing El Cap here:

What do you think? Should kids be climbing El Cap or other similarly intense routes?