Everest South Side Summit Climb with International Mountain Guides

IMG's Everest programs are recognized worldwide as simply outstanding, with a reputation for our highly professional staff of leaders, climbers and Sherpas, first-rate logistics and our resulting safety and success record on the mountain. Since 1991 we have conducted forty 8000 meter expeditions and have seen over 300 climbers reach the summit of these peaks, including 149 on Everest.

For 2009 we are proud to announce an exciting array of Everest options with the IMG All-Stars, under the direction of legendary climber and expedition leader Eric Simonson. We offer something for everyone... from treks to summit climbs, and we have designed our programs to be truly unique and special.

Everest Summit Climb — Guided and Non-guided

March 22 – May 31, 2009
(approximate: we stay as long as needed to be successful)

Climbers joining our summit program will receive full logistics support for their climb, plus IMG leadership and Sherpas assigned to render ongoing advice and assistance to the group. The 2009 team will again be led by Everest summiter Mark Tucker, a veteran of eight Everest expeditions.

If you want the best, this is it. IMG senior guides and Everest vets will lead the guided team, supported by our top Sherpas for 1:1 ratios. If you are serious, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need javascript enabled to view it .

This is our top rated Everest logistics package for the self-sufficient climber with previous experience climbing big mountains on a non-guided basis. This is a complete expedition, no cutting corners, nothing less than the finest support on the mountain and offering you the ultimate in flexibility to tailor your schedule to your personal needs. Included is unlimited consultation with the IMG staff, consultation with the docs at the BC Medical clinic, Icefall fees, all expedition food, communications, oxygen, Sherpa support, complete trek service, and total expedition logistics from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. In addition, we include one of our top IMG "Personal Sherpas" (Everest summiters and speak good English) to be your personal climbing partner (IMG does not allow members to climb solo on the mountain).

Nepal Base Camp Treks

Spring Nepal Treks »
Autumn Nepal Treks »

The trek to Everest Base Camp is simply classic. We have two groups for spring 2009. The March 22 group, which accompanies the climbers on the trek to BC is now full. We still have space available on the April 29 - May 23 trek to Everest Base Camp. This second group will be led by Phu Tashi Sherpa from Pangboche, one of our top trek leaders. Phu Tashi has led treks for IMG for many years and when you go to Pangboche you can visit his home! This trek group will arrive at Base Camp just in time for the summit bids, a very exciting time to be at Base Camp. You will stay in comfortable lodges on the way to Base Camp and will be guests of the expedition team for three nights at Base Camp. Then, trek back out to Lukla with our crack Sherpa team for the flight to Kathmandu. This is a top quality trip in all respects.

Nepal Base Camp Trek with Lobuche Peak Summit Climb

March 22 - April 19, 2009

If you would like to stay longer and go higher, bring the crampons and ice axe and add a climb of Lobuche Peak, over 20,000 feet.

Lobuche Peak (20,075') is a perfect objective if you have Mt. Rainier skills (ice axe, crampons, rope). Accompany the team to Base Camp, and then climb Lobuche, a nice climb with a world class view from the top of Everest. It is located to the west of the Khumbu Glacier, one day hike down the valley. If you have climbed Rainier, then you have the skills you need for this climb.

Khumbu Icefall Climb with Camp 3 and Yellow Band Options

Khumbu Icefall: March 22 - April 24, 2009
Camp 3 Option: March 22 - April 28, 2009

If you're a climber who always wanted to see for yourself what Everest is all about, our Khumbu Icefall program provides the chance to go up to Camp 1 and Camp 2. This is serious climbing, with some risk, so you need to be in good shape and have solid skills with crampons, fixed rope, etc. We also have an option to stay longer and go higher, up to Camp 3 and the Yellow Band. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need javascript enabled to view it for details.

Our Philosophy

IMG leads the way! Virtually every year we are one of the first teams to the summit. Our goal is to safely help as many team members as possible reach their goals, and we invest in the logistics that will make this happen (for example, five separate summit bids in 2006 and four in 2007!). We value our reputation as the premiere international climbing company and we only put programs in place that measure up to our own high standards. If you would like to join a world-class team on Everest, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your goals and qualifications and secure an exciting role for yourself on our team!

Expedition Organization and Leadership

International Mountain Guides ("IMG")
IMG is the oldest and most respected high-altitude climbing service in the world, successfully operating since 1975. IMG's three principals, Eric Simonson, Phil Ershler, and George Dunn, have led and organized over 500 expeditions worldwide. Each is an AMGA Certified Alpine Guide with Himalayan expedition experience including Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, and Ama Dablam. IMG's Himalayan mountaineering programs are organized and directed by Eric Simonson. Eric has been a professional guide since 1973 and has conducted over 100 expeditions around the world, including over thirty to the Himalaya. His teams are led by American climbers and Sherpas who are the best in the business. Since 1991 we have conducted over forty 8000-meter expeditions and have seen over 300 climbers reach the summit of these peaks, including 130 on Everest.

Mark Tucker
Mark's resume includes eight expeditions to Mt. Everest including both Nepal and Tibet, summitting via the North Ridge on the 1990 Peace Climb. A senior Rainier guide during the summer, Mark is one of IMG's most popular trip leaders, with dozens and dozens of international expeditions under his belt. Mark co-led successful Everest expeditions in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Well known as the "mayor of Base Camp," Tucker works hard to make sure all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Under his leadership, over 60 western climbers (and dozens of Sherpas) have reached the summit. For 2009, he returns to lead our next successful Everest expedition!

Ang Jangbu and the IMG Sherpa Team
A veteran of dozens of expeditions and an Everest summiter, Ang Jangbu has worked with Eric Simonson on every IMG Himalayan program since 1991 and is a very popular leader. Ang Jangbu Sherpa and his staff put together one of the very best Sherpa teams for IMG. We are proud to have a group of Sherpas working for us who are among the best paid, best led, best equipped, and best trained in the business.

References

Joining a high-altitude trek or expedition is a serious decision. You should be completely confident in the organization and leadership before you make that decision. Many of you have climbed with us before, and because your experience with us was good, you're considering another climb with us. For those of you who haven't climbed with us before, we strongly encourage you to interview us thoroughly and also talk to our past clients. When you're ready to make the decision, we'll be happy to provide you with a complete list of references. Please also browse comments online from our trekkers and climbers.