Washington Co. teens climb Golden Gate Bridge, dangle from cables

Dramatic video posted on social media shows a pair of daredevils slipping past security, and climbing the Golden Gate Bridge.

Turns out, those teens are from Southeastern Wisconsin, and quickly gaining viral fame.

     "I definitely wanted to document it because it's something so cool," says 18-year-old Peter Kurer. "I don't see a lot of people pulling off the Golden Gate Bridge climb. I think we're one of the first." 

Law enforcement officials say there's good reason for that: The act is illegal, and inherently dangerous. 

Kurer did not want to tell us how he and his friend Tommy Rector bypassed security to gain access to the bridge. He says the two performed the stunt just before sunrise in early April. 

     "I won't comment too much on how we got onto the cables, because I don't want anyone to re-enact it," he says. 

He says once they gained access to the cables, the climb was only beginning. 

     "It's San Francisco so it's a bit foggy, and the cables can be kind of moist and the wind and what not, but we take all that into consideration before we attempt the climb." 

     "Once we got onto the cables it took us about 10 minutes, and we were up on top. Beautiful views over the whole city, it was amazing." 

Law enforcement officials however, are viewing the stunt differently.

     "Their behavior could have harmed motorists below," says Capt. Lisa Locati, head of the Golden Gate Bridge Patrol. "If any of these men had slipped or fallen, there could have been serious harm to motorists below." 

Kurer says he and Rector were not wearing any safety devices, but that they were careful while performing flips, and dangling off the side of the bridge. 

     "In my opinion, it's just two kids, we're having fun. Nothing was harmed, nothing was damaged. We took safety into consideration at all times, like when we would hang off it or do stunts up there, we'd always make sure the road down below was clear," he says.

Officials in California say they are examining how the pair was able to bypass security. They say legal action could follow. 

The act itself is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison and a $10,000 fine. 

Officials say a similar stunt 4 years ago landed himself on a Federal "No Fly" list. 

Kurer, now back at his parent's house in Allenton, hopes to avoid that fate. 

     "I think they'll realize that it's a pretty minor incident," he says. 

You can watch the entire video here