Legendary Guides Lead Seven Summits Success

International Mountain Guides ("IMG")

IMG was founded in 1986 by veteran Mt. Rainier climbing guides Eric Simonson, Phil Ershler and George Dunn. Since then, IMG has become a world-class guide service leading expeditions throughout the world to conquer iconic mountains. 

IMG's Founders

Eric Simonson has led expeditions around the world, including over 30 to the Himalayas. He organized the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition in 1999 to unravel the ongoing mystery of the 1924 British Mt. Everest Expedition. He and his team discovered the body of iconic climber George Mallory. Eric owns and leads IMG.

George Dunn, now retired, also led expeditions throughout the world. He is a foremost authority on climbing and guiding Mt. Rainer, having eclipsed 500 Mt. Rainier summits in 2010.

Phil Ershler, now retired, is a legendary climber. He literally has climbed and guided Mt. Rainier hundreds of times, led expeditions around the globe and, most notably, was the first American to ascend the North Face of Mt. Everest in 1984.

IMG's guided expeditions span from Alaska to the Andes, and to the far reaches of the Himalayan 8,000 meter peaks. They also guide climbs to the highest mountain on each of the seven continents - the iconic Seven Summits. Beyond their vast international experience, IMG received a concession to guide on Mt. Rainier, the most glaciated mountain in the lower-48 states, in 2007. They are gearing up for the calendar-year climbing season, and recently found great success in Antarctica on 'Seven Summit' Vinson Massif (Mt. Vinson).

Success on Mt. Vinson

IMG guides all of the Seven Summits, and headed down to Antarctica in mid-December to kickoff the Antarctic Summer with a solid climbing team led by guide Porter McMichael. Porter and the team all reached the summit on December 13th, 2023.  December is cold in Antarctica! Their summit, though clear with low winds, was frigid, with the air temperatures falling below -38C! Congratulations to Porter McMichael, his climbing team, and IMG on another successful 'Seven Summit'.