Washington mountaineer Jim Whittaker dies at 97

Name: Washington mountaineer Jim Whittaker dies at 97
Uploaded: 2026-04-08T16:41:38-07:00
Description: Washington mountaineer and local legend Jim Whittaker has died at the age of 97. He rose to fame in 1963 as the first American to summit Mount Everest, which he accomplished while he was President and CEO of REI.

Washington mountaineer and local legend Jim Whittaker has died at the age of 97. He rose to fame in 1963 as the first American to summit Mount Everest, which he accomplished while he was President and CEO of REI.

Posted April 8, 2026 4:41pm PDT