Jim Whittaker, First American to Reach Everest’s Summit, Dies at 97
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest, died at age 97 in Port Townsend, Washington, as confirmed by his son Leif.
- On May 1, 1963, Whittaker reached the summit of Everest with Sherpa guide Nawang Gombu, becoming the 10th and 11th climbers known to have achieved this feat.
- Their successful climb was notable for occurring under challenging weather conditions and was the only expedition to reach the summit that season.
- Whittaker’s accomplishment brought him national fame, including appearances on the covers of National Geographic and Life magazines, and he received the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal from President John F. Kennedy.
- Beyond his climbing achievements, Whittaker was a longtime leader at outdoor retailer REI and helped popularize mountaineering globally.
