Richard McGowan (1933–2007) was an American explorer, mountaineer, and outdoor entrepreneur who played a foundational role in the development of the modern adventure travel industry. He achieved historical prominence during a 1955 expedition to Mount Everest, where he successfully climbed the Khumbu Ice Fall, making him the first American to set foot on the world's tallest mountain.
Beyond his mountaineering achievements, McGowan was a key figure in the commercial outdoor recreation sector. He was hired as the very first employee of Recreation Equipment Incorporated (REI), which grew to become a major outdoor retail co-operative. During the 1960s and early 1970s, he owned and operated The Alpine Hut, a chain of climbing and ski gear stores located in the Pacific Northwest.
Later in his career, McGowan transitioned into adventure travel management. From 1976 to 1992, he served as the managing partner of the outfitter Mountain Travel. He remained with the company until it merged to form the industry-leading adventure travel firm Mountain Travel Sobek, at which point he departed the company.
