This week we are celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Jim Whittaker’s first American ascent of Mt. Everest on the Eddie Bauer-outfitted American Mount Everest Expedition. All spring, Whittaker’s epic 1963 story has been retold in compelling detail by media outlets from Outside Magzine and The Seattle Times to Rock and Ice and National Geographic.

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the groundbreaking achievements of the Eddie Bauer-outfitted American Mount Everest Expedition, we asked every member of our Eddie Bauer First Ascent guide team who has reached the summit of the world’s highest peak to sum up the experience in 50 words or less. Melissa Arnot has summited the peak more times than any Western woman, which is likely why she boiled it down for us with such perspective and precision.

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Five decades ago, on May 1st, 1963, American Jim Whittaker stepped side by side with Sherpa Nawang Gombu onto the summit of Mount Everest and became the first American to summit the world’s tallest peak. His achievement was possible due to the tireless efforts of the American Mount Everest Expedition, a half-million dollar undertaking funded by 350 sponsors that required moving 27 tons of food and equipment to base camp with the assistance of 909 porter loads as well as navigating a route through the Khumbu Ice Fall and establishing the high camps.

Fifty years ago today, Jim Whittaker climbed shoulder to shoulder with Sherpa Nawang Gombu to the summit of Mt. Everest. His first American ascent of the world’s tallest peak on the Eddie Bauer-outfitted American Mount Everest Expedition was a heroic moment that became a powerful source of national pride. It was also a proud moment for our brand. So on the 50th anniversary of the historic climb, we honor Whittaker, Gombu, and every member of the 1963 American Mount Everest Expedition that made this epic moment—and this iconic photo of Jim Whittaker with the American flag on the summit of Everest—possible.

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the groundbreaking achievements of the Eddie Bauer-outfitted American Mount Everest Expedition, we asked every member of our Eddie Bauer First Ascent guide team who has reached the summit of the world’s highest peak to sum up the experience in 50 words or less. This concise  report is from Dave Hahn, who has tallied 14 summits of Everest, the record for any non-Sherpa.

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the groundbreaking achievements of the Eddie Bauer-outfitted American Mount Everest Expedition, we asked every member of our Eddie Bauer First Ascent guide team who has reached the summit of the world’s highest peak to sum up the experience in 50 words or less. This summation is from David Morton, a six-time Everest summiter who attempted the daunting West Ridge route in 2012 and is currently working on a documentary with Jake Norton of the historic 1963 West Ridge first ascent.

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the groundbreaking achievements of the Eddie Bauer-outfitted American Mount Everest Expedition, we asked every member of our Eddie Bauer First Ascent guide team who has reached the summit of the world’s highest peak to sum up the experience in 50 words or less. This report is from Eddie Bauer guide Seth Waterfall, who is currently on Everest working his way toward the summit while guiding for Rainier Mountaineering Incorporated, breaks it down in 50.