Career
Whittaker"s right foot needed to be amputated following a car accident in 1979. Following this serious accident, he regained his strength and continued climbing.His education was done at Idaho State University
In 1981 he founded the Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group (CWHOG) in Pocatello, Idaho. While living in Idaho, he was active in the southeast Idaho climbing community.
His first attempt on Everest was in 1995.
Whittaker"s current quest is to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents. Tom currently lives in Prescott Arizona with his daughter, Georgia.