Willi Unsoeld
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Willi Unsoeld (October 25, 1926 - March 4, 1979) was an American climber who, along with Tom Hornbein, led the first American expedition to summit Mount Everest on May 22, 1963. Their legendary climb was the first ascent from the peak's west ridge, today considered one of the most difficult routes on the peak. His subsequent activities include Peace Corps director in Nepal, speaker for Outward Bound, and instructor at Evergreen State College. An avalanche during a winter climb of Mount Rainier took his life.
