Climbing Facts | Scott's Press | Photo Gallery | Sponsors | Events | Links | Contact Us | Credits | Home

Boy Climbing El Capitan To Raise Relief Funds YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif., 3:37 p.m. PDT October 2, 2001 - The youngest boy ever to climb Yosemite's El Capitan is taking on a new challenge.

Scott Cory, 11, is making the climb to raise money for families of the victims of the World Trade Center attacks. "It's kind of heartbreaking that someone would do that , and it's kind of weird watching probably one of the biggest buildings in America fall down," Scott said. Scott became the youngest climber ever to scale El Capitan just three weeks ago. While the climb normally takes three to four days, Scott said he planned to "speed climb" the entire route Tuesday, setting off before daylight.

After eight hours, Scott, who is also climbing with two seasoned climbers, was more than two-thirds of the way up the nose of El Capitan at noon. Joining Scott are Beth Rodden and Tommy Caldwell, who made headlines last year when they escaped kidnappers in Kyrgyzstan. The money Scott raises will go to the group AmeriCares. The tragedy in New York and the efforts of rescue workers inspired Scott to make the climb."

I saw everybody crying because they lost people, family and friends, and it kind of made me sad," Scott said. "So I decided to send money so they can live a good life, and AmeriCares gives money to the kids of the firefighters and policemen."