Peter Whittaker

Peter Whittaker is a prominent figure in American mountaineering, recognized for his extensive experience as a mountain guide, outdoor industry entrepreneur, and expedition leader. The son of Lou Whittaker, who led the first American ascent of Mount Everest's north face, and nephew to Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Everest, Whittaker comes from a family with a significant legacy in the climbing community.

Whittaker first climbed Mount Rainier at age 12 and began guiding professionally at 16, eventually completing more than 250 ascents of the peak. His early start led to expeditions on all seven continents and ownership of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI), the largest guide service in the United States. Founded in 1969, RMI is known for its commitment to safety, expertise, and alpine knowledge. The company was named Best Outfitter by Outside Magazine in its Travel Awards. Whittaker has completed the Seven Summits and has led more than 4,000 clients on expeditions worldwide, including Mount Everest, where his own summit stands as a key milestone in his career.

In addition to guiding, Whittaker has used his mountaineering expertise to support philanthropic initiatives. He organized Expedition Inspiration, leading a group of breast cancer survivors to the summit of Aconcagua and raising $2.3 million for breast cancer research. He also guided both the oldest man and woman to reach the summit of Mt. Vinson in Antarctica and led a charity climb on Mt. Rainier with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former Seattle Seahawks Coach Jim Mora, and former Seattle Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke, raising $400,000 for United Way of King County. These efforts demonstrate his commitment to leveraging the mountains for positive social impact.

Whittaker's influence extends into the outdoor industry through product design and innovation. He has developed gear for brands such as Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, JanSport, and First Ascent, and played a key role in developing the First Ascent line with Eddie Bauer. Identifying a gap in technical apparel for professional alpine guiding, Whittaker founded Bight Gear, a specialty outdoor apparel brand known for rigorous mountain testing standards. He has also hosted "Trailside: Make Your Own Adventure," an Emmy-nominated outdoor adventure series on National Public Television, sharing the spirit of exploration with a broad audience.

With decades of experience in high-altitude guiding, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and media, Whittaker is recognized as a trusted and accomplished alpine guide. He has outfitted and guided over 70 expeditions on all seven continents, contributing to the fields of mountaineering, adventure travel, and outdoor leadership. Whittaker continues to be a respected voice on topics such as leadership, perseverance, and the transformative power of the outdoors.