My Old Man and the Mountain: A Memoir

About this book

In 1963 the world followed the first American Mount Everest Expedition and watched as "Big Jim" Whittaker became the first American to stand on top of the world. He returned home a hero. My Old Man and the Mountain is Leif Whittakers engaging and humorous story of what it was like to "grow up Whittaker"the youngest son of Jim Whittaker and Dianne Roberts in an extended family of accomplished climbers. He shares glimpses of his upbringing and how the pressure to climb started early on. Readers learn of his first adventures with family in the Olympic Mountains and on Mount Rainier; his close yet at times competitive relationship with his brother Joss; his battle with a serious back injury; and his efforts to stand apart from his fathers legacy. With wry honesty he depicts being a recent college grad still living in his parents home and trying to find a purpose in lifedigging ditches building houses selling t-shirts to touristsuntil a chance encounter leads to the opportunity to climb Everest just like his father did. Leif heads to Nepal with all the excitement irony boredom and trepidation that are part of high-altitude climbing. Well-known guides Dave Hahn and Melissa Arnot figure prominently in his story as does "Big Jim." But Leifs story is not his fathers story. Its a unique coming of age tale on the steep slopes of Everest and a climbing adventure that lights the imagination and fills an emotional human endeavor with universal meaning. "Whittaker writes as he climbs mountains with courage grace and a dash of humility. The result is an utterly compelling tale of a young man who bravely tackles two great challenges--one made of rock and ice and one made of doubts and fears. Itss a great read." --Daniel James Brown author of The Boys in the Boat.