Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach Mount Everest’s summit on 1 May 1963, died aged 97 at his home in Port Townsend, Washington, surrounded by family, his son Leif confirmed. A former full‑time employee and president of outdoor retailer REI, Whittaker was celebrated as a folk hero devoted to adventure, stewardship, service and family. He returned to Everest with his family at age 83 and was born in Seattle in 1929, climbing with his twin brother Lou as a Boy Scout. Read on bbci.co.uk