Golden Gate Bridge climbers go from daredevils to defendants

Two young men who climbed the Golden Gate Bridge’s north tower (pictured in this file photo) in April were charged on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, with trespassing and climbing a toll bridge, both misdemeanors Two young men who climbed the Golden Gate Bridge’s north tower (pictured in this file photo) in April were charged on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, with trespassing and climbing a toll bridge, both misdemeanors Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Golden Gate Bridge climbers go from daredevils to defendants 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Two young Wisconsin daredevils were hit with charges of trespassing this week stemming from their climb in April to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge’s north tower — a stunt after which they posted video online of them dangling high over the roadway.

Peter “Teatime” Kurer, 18, and Thomas Rector, believed to be in his 20s, were ordered to appear for arraignment in San Rafael on Sept. 12 on charges of trespassing and climbing a toll bridge, both misdemeanors, Marin County District Attorney Edward Berberian said Thursday.

In the video, the two men filmed themselves in the predawn hours of April 11 climbing the main cable leading to the top of the 746-foot-high north tower, dangling over the edge and performing various stunts.

The Chronicle has chosen not to publish video or screenshots from the incident.

“Guys, we just made it to the top. This is incredible,” says one of the two men in the video, accompanied by briskly pulsating music.

Earlier this month, the Golden Gate Bridge district filed a civil suit seeking unspecified monetary damages against the two men, alleging that they trespassed and acted as a public nuisance for profit.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubeSF