Peak Performance

Thu., May 28, 1998

An Arizona man became the first amputee to scale Mount Everest on Wednesday, reaching the world’s tallest peak on his third try using an artificial leg with built-in crampons. Tom Whittaker, 49, a college instructor from Prescott, Ariz., made it up the 29,028-foot mountain after being thwarted in 1989 and 1995 by bad weather, including freak storms. Nepalese officials said Whittaker is the first amputee to scale Everest. About a half-hour after the successful ascent, an Australian and two Britons made it to the top of the world. Whittaker lost his right leg in 1979 in a head-on car crash. Born in Britain, he later became a U.S. citizen and currently teaches mountain climbing, kayaking, river-rafting and other outdoor activities at Prescott College in Arizona.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Peak Performance

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Federal gas tax holiday sees growing support amid pain at the pump

U.S. colleges report 20% drop in foreign students over visa clampdown

Florida pastors outraged by Christian leader’s defense of golden Trump statue