The celebrated mountaineer, who summited Mount Everest and served in leadership roles at REI, passed away on Tuesday. His family confirmed his death at his residence in Port Townsend, Washington.

The celebrated mountaineer, who also served as the first full-time employee of the outdoor retailer REI and later as its president and CEO, died Tuesday at his home in Port Townsend, Washington, his family said. <img alt="Jim Whittaker is interviewed for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the First American Ascent of Mount Everest in Berkeley, Calif., Feb. 22, 2013." src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4030x2657+0+0/resize/4030x2657!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspo...