Jim Whittaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Whittaker
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Whittaker speaking at the Computer
History Museum in 2005 |
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| Born | February 10, 1929 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
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| Education | Seattle University West Seattle High School |
| Occupation | Mountaineer |
| Relatives | Lou Whittaker (twin brother) |
James W. Whittaker, often called Jim Whittaker, is a famous American climber and mountain guide. He was born on February 10, 1929, in Seattle, Washington. Jim Whittaker made history on May 1, 1963, when he became the first American to reach the top of Mount Everest. He achieved this amazing feat with his climbing partner, Sherpa Nawang Gombu. They were part of the American Mount Everest Expedition. Even though they ran out of oxygen near the top, they bravely pushed on and reached the summit.
Contents
Who is Jim Whittaker?
Jim Whittaker is well-known for his incredible climbing achievements. He has a twin brother, Lou Whittaker, who is also a mountain guide. Sometimes, people mistakenly think Lou was the one who climbed Everest in 1963.
Early Life and Climbing Adventures
Jim and his brother Lou started climbing when they were teenagers in the 1940s. They learned many skills while they were in the Boy Scouts. Jim went to West Seattle High School and later studied at Seattle University.
A Leader at REI
On July 25, 1955, Jim Whittaker became the very first full-time employee of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). REI is a popular company that sells outdoor gear. Jim later became the company's CEO in the 1960s. He also served on REI's board of directors. When Jim climbed Mount Everest, it brought a lot of attention to REI. This free advertising helped the company grow a lot. In 1964, the year after his Everest climb, REI's income went over US$1 million for the first time!
Friendships and Global Expeditions
Jim Whittaker became friends with important people, including Robert F. Kennedy, a famous American politician. In 1965, Jim guided Robert F. Kennedy up a mountain that was later named Mount Kennedy. They spent many vacations together. In 1968, Jim even helped with Kennedy's political campaign. He was there to support Robert F. Kennedy's wife, Ethel Kennedy, during a very difficult time.
The Earth Day Climb
In 1990, Jim Whittaker led a special climb called the Earth Day 20 International Peace Climb. This expedition brought together climbers from the United States, the former USSR, and China. Their goal was to climb Mount Everest together as a symbol of peace. Twenty climbers from this expedition reached the summit. Besides climbing, the team also did something very important: they cleaned up a lot of trash that had been left on the mountain by earlier expeditions.
Life After Everest
After his climbing career, Jim Whittaker continued to be involved in different ventures. He was the chairman of the Board of Magellan Navigation. This company makes handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, which help people find their way using satellites.
Books About Jim Whittaker
In 1999, Jim Whittaker wrote his own autobiography called A Life on the Edge: Memoirs of Everest and Beyond. His younger son, Leif Whittaker, also wrote a book in 2016 called My Old Man and the Mountain: A Memoir. Leif's book tells the story of his own climb to the top of Mount Everest and compares his experience to his father's historic climb.
Family Life
Jim Whittaker and his wife, Dianne Roberts, live in Port Townsend, Washington. They have two children, Joss and Leif Whittaker.
Awards and Recognition
Jim Whittaker has received several honors for his achievements:
- For being the first American to climb Mount Everest, he was given the Hubbard Medal by United States President John F. Kennedy.
- A mountain in Chelan County, Washington, called Big Jim Mountain, is named after him.
- The Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park near Issaquah, Washington, is also named in his honor.
See also
In Spanish: James Whittaker para niños
- List of 20th-century summiters of Mount Everest
