PORT TOWNSEND — A veteran mountain climber believes that an upcoming 25th Anniversary commemoration of International Peace Day will encourage worldwide support for peace and protecting the environment.
“People do not want war. They want peace,” said Jim Whittaker of Port Townsend.
“And the people want to shout it from the rooftops that we need to support and help each other rather than fighting.”
Whittaker, 86, climbed Mount Everest in 1963, winning renown as the first American to reach the 29,029-foot summit of the world’s tallest mountain.
He has spent the intervening years bringing a naturalist message to the public, using his expedition as a jumping-off point to get people interested in nature, the environment and peace.
On Sept. 17, he will join an international team of Mount Everest climbers from the United States, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, and China to celebrate in Seattle and at Mount Rainier the 25th anniversary of the Mount Everest International Peace Climb in 1990.
At that time, the United States, China, and the Soviet Union were Cold War enemies and real war was not unthinkable so Whittaker convened a group of international climbers to work together.
Despite language barriers, foul weather, equipment failures, illness, and the occasional squabble, the expedition was ultimately successful, Whittaker said.
“In 1990, our team proved that tremendous heights can be reached by working together in cooperation and friendship toward a common goal,” he said.
“But the earth is still warming and the drums of war still beat.”
Whittaker said the “saber rattling” between nations is counterproductive and opposite to what most people of the world want.
“That people from China, Russia and others who were once our enemies are participating in this shows that we all want to work together to save this magical planet,” Whittaker said.
The team will gather in Seattle and travel together to Mount Rainier National Park, where they met in 1989 to train for the 1990 expedition.
An official ceremony is planned at the mountain on Sept. 21, which is United Nations International Day of Peace, followed by an anniversary celebration dinner in Paradise Lodge.
Whittaker has invited President Barack Obama to attend, saying the president wants to attend but could not commit at this time.
The Peace Climb Celebration and Reunion is sponsored locally by REI and The Mountaineers, and by several international companies such as Vanke, BGI, Yongjin, Toread, Kingdee, Swarovski and Breitling, with additional funding provided by the Port of Seattle and private foundations, according to a news release.
The Washington State China Relations Council is also supporting the effort, as is Russian Consul General Andrey Yushmanov.
Whittaker said he is inspired by the younger generation “because they are committed to creating a safe and clean world.”
Two public events are scheduled, Both will include slide shows by the team and a screening of “Three Flags Over Everest,” a film about the 1990 climb narrated by actor Robert Redford.
The first will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at The Mountaineers Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way, Seattle.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and children, and may be purchased in advance at The Mountaineers’ Seattle location or online at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-peaceclimbanni.
Advance purchase is encouraged, as seating is limited. All proceeds benefit The Mountaineers conservation and youth programs.
The second will be at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in the lobby of Paradise Lodge in Mount Rainier National Park.
Admission is free to this evening, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, see www.mountaineers.org or call 206-521-6000.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
