Background
Hackett grew up in Portland (Oregon), began climbing at age 14.
Hackett grew up in Portland (Oregon), began climbing at age 14.
In the Army in World World War II, he served more than three years in the 10th Mountain Division. After World World War II, he remained in regular Army for 21 years. In 1956 Hackett was the first person to reach five of the Seven Summits.
He climbed Mount McKinley (1947), Aconcagua (1949), Kilimanjaro (1950), Mount Kosciuszko (1956) and Mont Blanc (1956).
In that time, the Mont Blanc was considered to be the highest mountain of the European continent. Hackett made an attempt to climb Mount Vinson and obtained a permit for the Mount Everest in 1960 but due to several circumstances (frostbite, lack of funds, etc) he never made it more than five.
Hackett was the first person to reach the summits of both Mount McKinley and Mount Logan. He was the first American to climb Aconcagua and the first American to climb Mount Kenya.
Mount McKinley, South Summit (06061947) and North Summit (06071947) with Bradford Washburn
Aconcagua, 1949 Hackett first United States climber on the highest mountain of South America
Mount McKinley, 07.10.1951 FA West Buttress route with Bradford Washburn and team
K2, American-German Expedition 1960
Antarctica, Canadian-American expedition to Antarctica (Mountain Vinson).
