Jim Whittaker

James Warren "Jim" Whittaker (February 10, 1929 – April 7, 2026) was an American mountaineer, autobiographer and mountain guide.[1][2]

James Whittaker
Jim Whittaker 1.jpg
Whittaker speaking at the Computer
History Museum
in 2005
Born
James Warren Whittaker

(1929-02-10)February 10, 1929
DiedApril 7, 2026(2026-04-07) (aged 97)
EducationSeattle University
West Seattle High School
OccupationMountaineer
RelativesLou Whittaker (twin brother)

On May 1, 1963 he became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest as a member of the American Mount Everest Expedition led by Norman Dyhrenfurth. They ran out of oxygen but managed to reach the summit. Once there, Whittaker planted a U.S. flag at the top.[3]

Whittaker died on April 7, 2026 in Port Townsend, Washington at the age of 97.[4]

References

  1. EverestHistory.com: Jim Whittaker. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
  2. "Brothers synonymous with mountain climbing in Northwest". Reading Eagle ((Pennsylvania)): 43. March 13, 1983. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cFMiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OacFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4139%2C1217967. 
  3. Shnayerson, Michael (May 2003). "Jim Whittaker, Back on Earth". National Geographic Adventure Magazine. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0305/story.html#story_2. Retrieved 2007-05-07. 
  4. Almond, Elliott. Famed mountaineer Jim Whittaker, first American atop Mount Everest, dies at 97 (April 8, 2026)Cascadia Daily News. Retrieved April 8, 2026.