World class mountaineer Lou Whittaker came to his alma mater West Seattle High School on May 19 to make a special film presentation, A Life in the Mountains recounting his life as a climber on peaks all over the world.

He and his twin brother Jim Whittaker, joined West Seattle Boy Scout Troop 272 when they were just 12 years old. Later they moved on to the Junior Seattle Mountaneers. The brothers were also active basketball stars at the West Seattle YMCA. Upon being offered a basketball scholarship to Seattle University under the understanding they were not allowed to ski, the Whittaker boys declined the offer in favor of skiing.

“The mountains became our love and our way to adventure, to express ourselves. It has been one heck of a ride.” At 85 years old Lou still skis. “I love to see the people here tonight. Lots of faces I haven’t seen in sixty years!”

“I am so proud to be a West Seattlelite and that I got my start here,” stated Lou Whittaker at tonight’s screening of “A Life In The Mountains.” Before the film began, Lou captivated his large audience in the auditorium of West Seattle High School with his sense of humor and fond memories of his West Seattle roots.