Richard McGowan


Richard "Dick" McGowan was an American explorer, mountaineer, and entrepreneur, who helped start the modern adventure travel industry. He is best remembered today for his Mt. Everest expedition in 1955, during which he climbed the Khumbu Ice Fall, thus becoming the first American to set foot on Mt. Everest.
McGowan was a key figure in the development of modern outdoor gear, and was the first employee of Recreation Equipment Incorporated. In the '60s and early '70s he owned a group of stores in the northwest that sold climbing and ski gear named The Alpine Hut. He was managing partner of the outfitter Mountain Travel from 1976 to 1992. He left the firm after the merger that created industry leader Mountain Travel Sobek.

Expeditions

McGowan grew up in Seattle, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in geography from the University of Washington. McGowan is survived by his wife and longtime business partner Louise, and children Richard Jr., Devi and Kili.
McGowan spent many years as a director of the American Himalayan Foundation, where he served with longtime friend Sir Edmund Hillary.