Sole companion celebrates the late Jim Whittaker
Soling technology developer Vibram has paid tribute to veteran mountaineer Jim Whittaker, who died at the age of 97 on April 7.
In 1963, Mr Whittaker became the first climber from the US to complete the ascent of Everest. He also led the first US exhibition to reach the summit of K2 in 1978. On both ascents, he wore footwear with Vibram soles.
Vibram said Mr Whittaker had begun wearing its soles on his climbing footwear in the 1950s while he was working at outdoor co-operative REI. “He recognised the importance of reliable traction in the most demanding environment,” the Italian company said.
REI received so much publicity after Jim Whittaker’s success in climbing Everest that the following year, 1964, was the first in which its revenues passed $1 million. A year after that, in 1965, the company made the mountaineer its president.
