Our Staff | Whittaker Mountaineering

Family Owned & Operated

Our Team

At Whittaker Mountaineering, we have a passion for the outdoors and love living the mountain lifestyle. Mt. Rainier is our backyard; where we work, play and wear the gear we sell. Whether you’re heading to the top of the mountain or hitting the trails with the family, we carry a variety of gear for your mountain adventures. So stop by and say hello or reach out and let us know how we can help!

Peter Whittaker

Primary Decision Maker, Owner

Born into the First Family of American mountaineering, mountain climbing is in Peter Whittaker’s bloodline. His uncle Jim Whittaker was the first American to reach the summit of Mt. Everest in 1963. His father Lou (Jim’s identical twin) founded RMI in 1969 and led the First American Ascent of the North Face of Everest in 1984.

Peter has been guiding and climbing for more than 40 years. He first climbed Mt. Rainier at the young age of 12, began guiding professionally at 16, and has logged 250+ ascents of Rainier since then. He has completed the Seven Summits and led more than 4,000 clients on hundreds of expeditions around the globe, from Rainier to Everest.

Kerry Whittaker

Chief Operating Officer

Kerry Samudio Whittaker is the glue that holds us together. Kerry’s role covers a variety of areas from operations to marketing, accounting, admin and customer service.

With more than 25 years in marketing and business management, she is no stranger to teamwork and making things happen. Kerry is most at home in the mountains, whether snowboarding, hiking, or just playing in the backcountry.

Jake Muhestein

Rentals Manager

Having spent the first 18 years exploring all of the city life and natural places the east coast has to offer, Jake gradually made his way out west, stopping along the way for brief explorations of Colorado, Idaho, and Utah.

With a degree in Recreation Management, Jake has worked for various outdoor start-up companies throughout his professional career and currently manages all rental operations for Whittaker Mountaineering. On his off days you can find him hiking, climbing, expanding his knowledge of glacier travel, and most of all spending time with his family.

Andrew Sullivan

Director of Business Development

Originally from New England, Andrew relocated to Oregon in 2006 and has spent a lifetime exploring the outdoors. An avid cyclist and hiker, he has completed thru-hikes of both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, experiences that have shaped his passion for adventure and the outdoor community.

With over 20 years of experience in the outdoor industry, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and a dynamic skill set to the team. His career has spanned many roles, including guide and retail outfitter, buyer, and sales manager on the brand side. This diverse background gives Andrew a unique perspective and deep insight into the outdoor industry.

Kristian Whittaker

Marketing Director

With over 7 years of marketing experience, Kristian handles all digital and physical marketing, including paid ads, email/sms, social media, etc. He also handles all Shopify and E-Commerce tasks.

He’s an avid split boarder, backpacker, photographer, cinematographer, and road-tripper who prefers sleeping under the stars to pretty much anything else. He loves the mountains, although he’s not sure if he really had a choice in that matter given his family history.

Our Team