PORT TOWNSEND — Leif Whittaker added to his family’s proud mountaineering legacy by conquering the summit of Mount Everest — a second time.
The 27-year-old son of Jim Whittaker, who was the first American to reach the Everest summit in 1963, Leif Whittaker spent a short time with his climbing expedition team of four at the oxygen-depleted, 29,035-foot summit shortly after 9:30 p.m. Pacific time Friday before descending.
Both Leif’s mother, Dianne Roberts, and Jim expressed delight Saturday near their home in uptown Port Townsend as they basked in their son’s great accomplishment.
They had yet to hear from Leif because of a malfunctioning satellite phone.
“I’m so proud of him,” Jim Whittaker said.
“He loves the mountains, he loves climbing, and he loves nature, and he’s doing pretty well.”
