Submitted by Alpine Experience
Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest (1963) will be the keynote speaker at The Alpine Experience’s Launch of the Mountain Life Festival. Sponsored by KEEN Footwear the launch will be held at the Olympia Farmer’s Market on May 28, 2013 at 7:00 pm.
Jim has spoken to audiences large and small, around the world, and this year his is on a special tour in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Everest achievement. Jim has long been a successful business and community leader not only in Western Washington, but globally. Jim will have on hand his book, A Life on the Edge, to sell and sign.
About Jim Whittaker
Jim Whittaker was born in Seattle in 1929. His accomplishments are wide and varied: in addition to being the first American to summit Everest, Whittaker was the first full-time employee of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), retiring as the company’s president and CEO after twenty-five years. He led the team that put the first Americans on K2’s summit, and he organized and led the International Peace Climb on Everest in 1990. In 2012, at the age of 83, Whittaker trekked to nearly 17,000 feet in Nepal, just a few hundred feet below Everest Base Camp. He and his wife, Dianne Roberts, live in Port Townsend, WA. Find him online at www.jimwhittaker.com
About The Alpine Experience
The Alpine Experience is a locally and family owned outdoor retail shop located in Olympia, Washington. Since 1996 we’ve prided ourselves on our superior customer service, high quality products, and being active contributors to our community. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.alpinex.com.
