Lou Whittaker
Encyclopedia
Lou Whittaker is a mountaineer and glacier-travel guide.
Whittaker and his twin brother Jim
were born and raised in Seattle.
Besides his worldwide climbing experience, he became the most experienced guide for climbing Mount Rainier
with over 250 summits and established Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., developed a group of successful climbing-related businesses at the Rainier Base Camp in Ashford, Washington
, adjacent to Mount Rainier National Park
, and led the training of several generations of Rainier guides, many of whom continue to guide and climb elsewhere. He also led the first American ascent of the North Col
of Mount Everest in 1984.
He has recorded his experiences in Lou Whittaker - Memoirs of a Mountain Guide, written with Andrea Gabbard.
He is also the founder of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc, a Washington state guiding company.
Whittaker and his twin brother Jim
Jim Whittaker
James W. Whittaker, also known as Jim Whittaker is an American mountaineer.As a member of the American Mount Everest Expedition 1963 led by Norman Dyhrenfurth, he was the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He summited on May 1, 1963 with the Sherpa Nawang Gombu...
were born and raised in Seattle.
Besides his worldwide climbing experience, he became the most experienced guide for climbing Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of . Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most...
with over 250 summits and established Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., developed a group of successful climbing-related businesses at the Rainier Base Camp in Ashford, Washington
Ashford, Washington
Ashford is a census-designated place in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 217 as of the 2010 census. Located just a few miles west of the main entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, it features numerous shops and accommodations for visitors...
, adjacent to Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a United States National Park located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington state. It was one of the US's earliest National Parks, having been established on March 2, 1899 as the fifth national park in the United States. The park contains...
, and led the training of several generations of Rainier guides, many of whom continue to guide and climb elsewhere. He also led the first American ascent of the North Col
North Col
The North Col refers to a sharp-edged pass or col carved by glaciers connecting Mount Everest and Changtse in Tibet. It forms the head of the East Rongbuk Glacier....
of Mount Everest in 1984.
He has recorded his experiences in Lou Whittaker - Memoirs of a Mountain Guide, written with Andrea Gabbard.
He is also the founder of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc, a Washington state guiding company.
External links
- Lou Whittaker's page on the Rainer Mountaineering, Inc site
- Lou Whittaker: Memoirs of a Mountain Guide at Google Books