McKinley Climbed by a 12-Year-Old. Taras Genet, 12-year-old son of Kathy Sullivan and the late Ray Genet, climbed on July 21 to the summit of McKinley via the West Buttress. He is probably the youngest person to do so. The group of seven was guided by Chip Faurot and José Boza. His father died on the descent from Everest when Taras was 18 months old and was awaiting in Base Camp with his mother the arrival of Ray in vain.