On April 13, Alpenglow Sports partners with outdoor publisher Mountaineers Books to host mountaineer Leif Whittaker in Tahoe City.

Whittaker brings a fresh perspective on his famous father, Lou Whittaker, a mountaineering legend who forged his legacy as the first American to summit the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest.

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.

Leif Whittaker’s “My Old Man and the Mountain” is the story of what it was like to “grow up Whittaker”—the youngest son of Jim Whittaker and Dianne Roberts. 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 father’s legacy.

With wry honesty he depicts being a recent college grad, still living in his parents’ home and trying to find a purpose in life—digging ditches, building houses, selling T-shirts to tourists—until a chance encounter leads to the opportunity to climb Everest, just like his father did.

Whittaker’s multimedia presentation will be at Tahoe Art Haus Cinema, followed by questions and a book signing. The event starts at 7pm and doors open at 6:30pm. Buy $10 tickets online. Tickets will be available at the door on the night of event for $12.