Eric Simonson
Mountaineer, author, speaker

Eric Simonson's background as one of the world's premiere mountaineering expedition leaders provides him with a wealth of experience, knowledge and perspective on the topics of leadership, planning, execution and success. He addresses these themes in keynote speaking engagements to corporate, educational, civic and non-profit groups around the world.

Drawing upon real-life adventures in settings where the physical survival of climbers depends upon his personal skills in leadership, preparation and execution, Eric shares his own formulas for success.

Eric has been a professional mountain guide since 1973 and has personally conducted over 100 major expeditions around the globe including over 30 to the Himalayas, 280 successful ascents of Mt. Rainier and 17 ascents of Mt. McKinley in Alaska.  He has become recognized internationally as one of the world's premiere mountaineering expedition leaders, specializing in climbs of Mt. Everest and the other classic 8,000m peaks of the Himalayas.

During his 35-year professional career he has spent over 5,000 days of active guiding, and is a Certified Alpine Guide and Ski Mountaineering Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association, for which he served from 1998 to 2002 as a member of the Board of Directors.  His international guiding and climbing resume includes expeditions on every continent of the globe, including ascents of the "Seven Summits" and eleven expeditions to Mt. Everest, reaching the summit in 1991 via the North Ridge.

Eric is a co-owner and active manager of International Mountain Guides, LLC and directs the company's Himalayan Programs. He co-authored Ghosts of Everest, published by The Mountaineers Books in October 1999, sharing the story of his 1999 Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition and recently named as one of the 20th Century's 50 best mountaineering books by the American Alpine Club. He also co-authored Detectives on Everest, published by The Mountaineers Books in July 2002, recapping the 2001 Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition which conducted the world's highest archeology project and culminated with the accomplishment of the highest mountaineering rescue in history.

Eric's speaking programs:

Eric Simonson, a Northwest native and 35-year veteran of international mountaineering and professional guiding, will share the 'inside story' on a career marked with high adventure, political intrigue and all-around good fun.  In his presentation, “Confessions of a Mountain Guide,” Eric reveals the secrets to success and failure that have emerged during a lifetime spent with great passion for climbing, guiding and operating a business dedicated to mentoring and helping others to follow their own dreams into remote and high places.  Eric and his talks inspire us to believe in ourselves—to accomplish what may seem "impossible."  His stories motivate us to risk failure to achieve success, and move toward our goals well-prepared and ready for the challenge.  Eric customizes his program content for each speaking engagement to meet your needs and align with the audience composition.

His speaking clients include:

    * Ernst & Young LLP

    * DaimlerChrysler

    * J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

    * U.S. Army - Natick Soldier Systems Center

    * The Boeing Company

    * State Farm Insurance

    * The U.S. White House

    * National Geographic Society

    * U. S. Department of the Interior

    * DuPont Worldwide

    * Make-a-Wish Foundation

    * Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival

    * The 10th Mountain Division

    * Outward Bound School

    * The American Alpine Club

    * Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society

    * The Young Presidents Organization

    * American Himalayan Foundation

    * Citadel Corporation

    * Wilderness Medical Society

    * Wired Magazine

    * Portland and Olympic Mountain Rescue

    * The Explorers Club

    * Carleton College

Travels from: Near Seattle

For more information or to book Eric Simonson for your event, click here.