Seattle mountaineering legend Jim Whittaker, first American to summit Everest, dies at 97 Jim Whittaker, the Seattle-born mountaineer who became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest and later helped shape the Northwest’s outdoor culture, has died at age 97. Whittaker passed away on Tuesday in Port Townsend, as confirmed by his family. Born on February 10, 1929, in Seattle, Washington, to Hortense Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Whittaker, he lived an extraordinary life devoted to adventure, stewardship, service, and family. His death was announced by his family, who described him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to sharing adventure, joy, and optimism with those around him. Whittaker’s legacy is most famously tied to his historic ascent of Mount Everest on May 1, 1963, alongside Sherpa Nawang Gombu. This achievement marked a pivotal moment for mountaineering in the United States, as Everest had only been climbed a decade earlier. The climb was fraught with extreme conditions: Whittaker and Gombu ran out of oxygen near the summit and continued without water after their supplies froze. These challenges, he later reflected, shaped his lifelong sense of gratitude. “I think I will probably take it with me into my next life, if I have one,” he said in a 2013 interview. The expedition, part of a broader U.S. effort that included multiple summit attempts and historic routes, helped ignite widespread American interest in mountaineering. At the time, the climb received recognition from President John F. Kennedy and sparked a surge in public enthusiasm for the sport. Whittaker’s success was not just a personal triumph but a catalyst for the modern mountaineering movement in America.#mount_rainier #jim_whittaker #sherpa_nawang_gombu #the_mountaineers #recreational_equipment_inc
Strongest Wind Gusts Recorded in Western Washington on Wednesday Night Winds reached their peak in western Washington on Wednesday night, with the most severe gusts recorded in the Cascades. A wind speed of 134 mph was measured at Alpental, located above Snoqualmie Pass. These extreme conditions caused widespread damage, including downed power lines and trees, and tragically resulted in at least one fatality when a tree fell onto a vehicle. The intense winds occurred during a Wind Advisory for the lowlands and a Blizzard Warning in the mountainous regions, though both alerts have since been lifted. The storm system brought significant impacts across the area, with varying wind speeds reported in different locations. In the Puget Sound lowlands, wind gusts ranged from 36 to 45 mph, with SeaTac recording 45 mph at 9 p.m. and Everett measuring 44 mph at 10 p.m. At higher elevations, the winds were even stronger. Alpental, situated at 2,400 feet above Snoqualmie Pass, experienced the highest gust of 134 mph at 9 p.m. Snoqualmie Pass itself saw winds of 73 mph at the same time. At Mount Rainier, winds reached 63 mph at 8 p.m. near Sunrise, which is around 6,000 feet in elevation. Crystal Mountain recorded 59 mph at 6 p.m. near the gondola, which is approximately 6,800 feet high. Paradise-Rainier had winds of 53 mph at 11 p.m., and Stevens Pass saw 48 mph at midnight on the ridge tops. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Cascade and Olympic mountains until 5 a.m. on Saturday. The KING 5 news outlet has activated its First Alert system for this weather event, which could impact lives, property, and travel in the Pacific Northwest. The First Alert Weather Team will provide updates to ensure public safety during the storm.#alpental #snoqualmie_pass #mount_rainier #crystal_mountain #king_5
