An international team of Mount Everest climbers from the United States, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, and China will come together in Seattle on Sept. 17 and at Mount Rainier on Sept. 21, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Mount Everest International Peace Climb.
Renowned American mountaineer, Jim Whittaker, was one of the climbers in 1990 and a driving force behind the Seattle event. On May 1, 1963, Whittaker was the first American to climb Mt. Everest.
In 1990, when the U.S., China, and the then Soviet Union were Cold War enemies, Whittaker organized the Mount Everest International Peace Climb on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest with climbers from the three countries. Over a four day period, 20 climbers reached the peak.
In addition to hopes for peace, the climbers also hoped to encourage protection of the environment; 1990 was the 20th anniversary of Earth Day.
“With so much tragedy and death on Everest the past couple of years,” said Whittaker, “we want to show the mountain can also be a positive symbol. In 1990, our team proved that tremendous heights can be reached by working together in cooperation and friendship toward a common goal. But twenty five years later, the earth is warming and the drums of war still beat. This Peace Climb team aims to send a powerful message to world leaders that countries must work together to solve world problems. What people everywhere want is a safe and clean planet for their children and their grandchildren.”
Two events are planned, with slide shows by the team and a screening of a video about the climb, “Three Flags Over Everest,” narrated by Robert Redford.
The first event is at 7 p.m., Sept. 17 at The Mountaineers Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way, Seattle; $20 for adults, $10 for students and children. Get more info and tickets online. Proceeds benefit The Mountaineers conservation and youth programs. A free event is 8:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in the lobby of the Paradise Lodge at Mount Rainier National park. Seating is limited and is first-come, first serve.
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