He and his twin brother, Jim Whittaker, also a renowned mountaineer and guide, were born and raised in Seattle.

[3] He and his twin brother Jim began climbing mountains at age 12.

He also led the first American ascent of the North Col of Mount Everest in 1984.

Big Lou, a mountain in Chelan County, Washington is named for him.

[4] Lou Whittaker died from congestive heart failure in Ashford, Washington on March 24, 2024, at the age of 95.