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The Whittaker Mountaineering staff is lead by Peter and Erika Whittaker who truly have grown up in the mountains. Their love for the mountains has been passed on to all of us at Whittaker Mountaineering. Having Mount Rainier in our backyard, gives us countless opportunities to wear and test the gear we sell on a daily basis. Our staff has spent many nights on the mountain and would love the opportunity to share our experiences with those who are looking to climb Mount Rainier or other mountains around the world. OUR EMPLOYEES:
Peter Whittaker
Erika Whittaker
Jeremy Foust
Laura
Nick
Chad
Advisory Board
PETER WHITTAKER
Peter Whittkaer

Clients find Peter Whittaker's passion for the outdoors contagious. But what else would you expect from someone who climbed Mount Rainier when he was only twelve years old? As a mountain guide for over twenty-five years, Peter has organized and led trips all over the world.

In 1995, Peter organized Expedition Inspiration, in which he led a group of breast cancer survivors to the summit of Aconcagua. The climb raised over 2 million dollars for breast cancer research. Peter also served as the guide for both the oldest man and the oldest woman to reach the summit of Mt. Vinson in Antarctica: the top of the bottom of the world.

Peter co-owns Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. the largest guide service in the United States. Peter also has been the host of "Trailside: Make Your Own Adventure", an Emmy-nominated outdoor adventure series on National Public Television. Born into a mountaineering family, Peter's uncle Jim Whittaker became the first American to climb Mt. Everest in 1963. Peter's father, Lou Whittaker has led numerous expeditions to the Himalayas, including the world's three highest peaks.

Peter's Top Gear Picks
First Ascent Men's Igniter Jacket
First Ascent Men's BC-100 Shell Jacket
First Ascent Men's Mountain Guide Pants
Black Diamond Contour Elliptics Trekking Poles
Alpine Mountaineering DVD
Smith Rhythm Pro Goggles

Read more about Peter >

CLIMBING RESUME

  • 200+ Ascents of Mount Rainier, Washington (14,411')
  • 1 Expedition to Everest (29,029')
  • 12 Expeditions to "The Roof of Africa" Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340')
  • 5 Expeditions to the Ecuador Volcanoes: Chimborazo (20,703') and Cotopoxi (19,348')
  • 4 Expeditions to Bolivia: Huayna Potosi (19,870') and Illimani (21,201')
  • 6 Expeditions to the Mexican Volcanoes: Pico de Orizaba (18,701'), Popocatepetl (18,701')
  • 2 Expeditions to Antarctica, Mt. Vinson (16,067')
  • 1 Expedition to Huascaran, Peru (22,334')
  • 7 Expeditions to Aconcagua, Argentina (22,841')
  • 2 Ascents of Mount McKinley, Alaska (20,320')
  • 3 Expeditions to Mt. Kenya, Africa (17,068')
  • 4 Expeditions to Russia's Mt. Elbrus (18,481')
  • Member of the 1984 American
  • Everest Expedition: Tibet/China (Reached 25,500')
  • Hiking & Skiing in the Dolomites, Italy
  • Member of the 1987 Snowbird
  • Everest Expedition: Nepal/India (Reached 27,000')
  • Numerous ascents of major Pacific Northwest Peaks
  • Leave No Trace Master Certified


ERIKA WHITTAKER
Erika Whittaker

Erika grew up in Austria, where skiing is a way of life. She grew up in a large family where hiking, skiing, and many other sports were part of a happy childhood. At the age of 13 she was accepted into a ski academy, where for the next 6 years she spent her time training, skiing, studying, and ski racing. From 17 - 19 years old, she was Austria's #1 ranked giant slalom racer, winning the overall EuropaCup on her 18th Birthday, and was Junior world champion in Giant Slalom and Combined. For the next few years she skied on the World Cup circuit, and while racing all over Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia, she found out how much she likes traveling.

While vacationing on the coast of Kenya in 1986, Erika met Peter Whittaker. It didn't take long for them to realize how much they had in common, and a great friendship quickly developed into a business partnership and marriage. Together they have run Summits Adventure Travel for 12 years; organizing and leading hiking, skiing, climbing, and trekking trips all over the world. Erika enjoys every aspect of the company, but her favorite part is the traveling, meeting her guests in all parts of the world and helping them achieve their goals and having a good, safe time in the mountains.

Erika's Top Gear Picks
Petzl Tikka XP
Grivel Mt Rainier Ice Axe
Petzl Corax Climbing Harness
Smartwool Lightweight Bottoms

Read more about Erika >

SKIING/CLIMBING RESUME

  • Austrian National Team 1978 - 82
  • Ski coaching junior racers UT and WA 1990 - 94
  • Guiding the Haute Route / ski traverse of the Alps
  • Ski mountaineering on Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Alps...
  • 15 Ascents of Mt. Rainier, WA
  • 9 Ascents of Kilimanjaro, Africa
  • Numerous ascents of Mt. Hood, OR, Mt. Adams, WA, Mexican Volcanoes, Huayna Potosi and Illimani, Bolivia...
  • Extensive hiking, skiing and trekking in New Zealand, the European Alps, the Dolomites in northern Italy


JEREMY FOUST
Jeremy Foust

Jeremy has called the Mount Rainier area home for the past 28 years. He has been working for Whittaker Mountaineering for 12 years, first helping to develop the rental program, and then expanding the retail store to what it is today. When not working in the mountains, you can find Jeremy at the beach with his two kids.

Jeremy's Top Gear Picks
First Ascent Hangfire
Black Diamond Serac Crampons
Petzl Myo XP Headlamp

CLIMBING RESUME

  • 2 Summits of Mt. Rainier
  • 1 Mt. Rainier Winter Seminar
  • 1 Camp Muir Seminar


Laura
Laura

Laura grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and earned her B.S. in Finance from Miami University of Ohio. In college, her love of climbing began with some outdoor climbing experiences down in Kentucky and West Virginia. Through leading outdoor trips for school and a series of serendipitous events, she landed in Washington for a couple summers during and after college. Most recently arriving from Aspen, Colorado, she is excited to continue experiencing the Pacific Northwest.

Laura's Top Gear Picks
Patagonia R1 Hoody
La Sportiva Nepal Evo
Black Diamond ATC Guide

CLIMBING RESUME

  • 3 Ascents of Mt. Rainier via 3 routes, one ski descent of the Tahoma Glacier from the summit
  • Ascent of the Nose of El Capitan, Yosemite, CA
  • Ascent of Moonlight Buttress, Zion, UT
  • Ascent of Mt. Stuart, WA
  • Ascents of Capitol Peak and Mt. Elbert, CO
  • Rock ascents in Kentucky, West Virginia, Utah, Colorado, California, Washington, and Idaho
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Avalanche I Certified
  • Leave No Trace Trainer


NICK
Nick Poggiali

Growing up hiking and camping throughout the Midwest, Nick gained a love for outdoor recreation that would eventually lead him to the Evergreen State. He spent his college years at The Ohio State University, where his interests in climbing resulted in many adventures with the OSU Mountaineers. Forced to escape the flatlands of Ohio in order to get his fix, Nick spent many days on the road seeking out more mountainous terrain to climb, bike, and ski. In 2005, Nick moved to Ashford, Washington for the summer to work and play, and after just a few seasons decided to call the Mount Rainier area home. Nick devotes his free time to exploring the endless opportunities found in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

Nick's Top Gear Picks
La Sportiva Spantik
Grivel Futura Ice Axe
First Ascent Peak XV Down Jacket

CLIMBING RESUME

  • 5 ascents of Mt. Rainier via 4 routes
  • 2 ascents of Mt. Hood
  • 1 expedition to Mt. McKinley
  • 2 winter ascents of Mt. Washington, NH
  • Mt. Stuart via Complete North Ridge
  • Dragontail Peak via Backbone Ridge
  • Various alpine rock climbs throughout the Cascades
  • Numerous rock routes throughout the U.S.


Chad
Chad

Having grown up on the Georgia and Florida coast, Chad is an avid kayaker, backpacker and occasional surfer. Moving out to the Pacific Northwest last May was a big step. Learning to climb with some of the best guides in the world has been a memorable experience for Chad. Fly fishing, climbing and backpacking are now Chad's top priorities.

Chad's Top Gear Picks
Jet boil Helios
La Sportiva Nepal Evo
Patagonia R1 hoody

CLIMBING/KAYAKING RESUME

  • Ascent of Mt. Rainier
  • Ascent of Mt. Hood
  • Climbing in Washington, Oregon, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee
  • Sea kayaking throughout the Georgia and Florida Coast
  • Whitewater rafting in North Carolina and Tennessee
  • EMT-I certified
  • Red Cross certified in sea kayak rescue
  • The ability to grow a Gnarly Beard