Chronology

New route to South Pole. Nov-Jan

I conceived, planned and guided a new route to the South Pole from the Filchner Ice Shelf via the Support Force Glacier. Two Austrians and a Russian joined me on this 50-day, 865km unsupported ski expedition.

Australian Alps Novice and Advanced courses. August

I ran four trips to the Australian Alps, three Advanced and one Novice. Customers were mostly Aussie though we had a US and UK pair that were training for a South Pole last degree ski, which they completed successfully.

Svalbard Polar Expeditions. March

Three expeditions to Svalbard during springtime.

THAT DAMN COVID!

South Pole. November

I guided a tour to the South Pole for Australian luxury-travel brand Captain's Choice.

Australian Alps winter trips

Guiding two trips in the Australian Alps. Incredible snow conditions and brutal weather made for interesting and exciting programsGuiding two trips in the Australian Alps. Incredible snow conditions and brutal weather made for interesting and exciting programsGuiding two trips in the Australian Alps. Incredible snow conditions and brutal weather made for interesting and exciting programs.

Svalbard expedition and training. March-April

Two trips through the beautiful landscape of Svalbard. The first an 8-day expedition across remote terrain that I'd never traversed before, the second trip a training program for Antarctica.

Australian Alps winter trips

Guiding two winter trips in the Australian Alps. Wonderful snow conditions and some tough weather but on both trips we made an ascent of Mt Kosciuszco, Australia's highest mountain.

North Pole Last Degree Ski. April

Conditions were perfect for this 6-day ski trek across the last degree to the North Pole

Svalbard expedition. March

Guiding a 9-day expedition in Spitsbergen, from the ice edge of Tempelfjorden, up Von Postbreen and down Rabotbreen to Sassen and Adventdalens.

South Pole via Kansas Glacier. Dec-Jan

I guided a 585km, 37-day new route from the Ross Ice Shelf through the Transantarctic Mountains to the South Pole. With Australian schoolgirl Jade Hameiste and her dad Paul, and film crew Ming D'Arcy and Heath Jamieson.

Greenland traverse. May-June

With this west-east Greenland crossing Melbourne schoolgirl Jade Hameister and her father continue with her quest of becoming the youngest person to complete the Polar Hat Trick.

North Pole. April

A last degree expedition and dream come true for an Australian adventurer. He proved to his family and friends that at 61 he was still capable of challenging journeys.

Svalbard expedition and training. March-April

Two trips through the beautiful landscape of Svalbard. The first a 9-day expedition in the severe cold of March, the second a training trip, preparing a client for a South Pole expedition

South Pole via Reedy Glacier. Dec-Jan

I guided a 605km, 34-day new route from the Ross Ice Shelf through the Transantarctic Mountains to the South Pole. With Australian Keith Tuffley, who cycled around 50% of the trip on his fatbike, and Brit Rob Smith.

My first season running training camps in the Australian Alps. August

I ran three training trips to the Australian Alps, all including a winter ascent of Mt Kosciuszco.

North Pole. April

I guided a ski expedition to the North Pole from 88.40 with a 14yo girl, her father and a Norwegian cameraman filming for National Geographic.

Svalbard. March

Together with my daughter Mardi we completed a 9-day ski trip in Svalbard. This wasn't Mardi's first polar trip; she visited Antarctica in 2007 on board MV Sarsen when she was 10.

Extremity wear

I launched a range of extremity wear including a polar hat, mittens and a beanie. I'd previously tested these on numerous expeditions and tweaked them to combat the worst possible conditions.

Antarctica. December

A two-week 360km solo kite-ski expedition to Ulvetanna, an iconic peak in the mountains of Queen Maud Land.

South Pole. Nov-Dec

My annual trip with a team from China to Antarctica, flying to the South Pole, camping a night on the Plateau, and visiting Emperor penguins.

Lifetime of Adventure award

I was awarded the Australian Geographic Society's Lifetime of Adventure medallion.

Icetrek Expeditions & Equipment. July

My businesses amalgamate to form Polarama Pty Ltd., trading as Icetrek Expeditions and Equipment.

North Pole. April

A ski expedition from 88.20 to the North Pole with two Australian soldiers wounded in action and a Moroccan mountaineer.

South Pole. December

My annual trip with a team from China to Antarctica, flying to the South Pole, camping a night on the Plateau, and visiting Emperor penguins.

North Pole to Canada. April - May

I guided climate-change activist Bernice Notenboom and photographer Martin Hartley on an attempted ski from North Pole to Canada.

Walking with the Wounded. South Pole expedition. Nov-Dec

I was a guide on one of three teams of wounded soldiers from Australia, USA, Canada and UK ski to the South Pole. Prince Harry is patron of the expedition and skied with us to the South Pole.

South Pole. Nov-Dec

My annual trip with a team from China to Antarctica, flying to the South Pole, camping a night on the Plateau, and visiting Emperor penguins.

Walking with the Wounded. Norway training. September

A week of training in the mountains of Norway, preparing wounded soldiers for a race to the South Pole.

Walking with the Wounded. Colorado training, August

A week of training in the mountains of Coloado, preparing wounded soldiers for a race to the South Pole.

North Pole Guiding. April

I guided Greenpeace's 'Save the Arctic' Campaign to the North Pole.

Icetrek Sleds launched. April

I launched a range of polar sleds. Available in three models, each optimised for weight, strength and tactical use. I modelled them around the kayaks I used as sleds for many year.

Kate Leeming South Pole Cycle Training. March

Two weeks of preparation and training in the mountains, fiords and glaciers Svalbard with Kate Leeming and film-maker Claudio von Planta. Kate hopes to become the first person to cycle across Antarctica.

Walking with the Wounded Iceland Training. March

Three weeks of ice training in Iceland, preparing wounded soldiers for a race to the South Pole.

South Pole. Nov-Dec

My annual trip with a team from China to Antarctica, flying to the South Pole, camping a night on the Plateau, and visiting Emperor penguins.

IPGA Founded

Together with a team of polar guides from all over the world, I founded the International Polar Guides Association.

North Pole Guiding. April

I guided a multi-national expedition within the last degree.

Introduction of Multi-Shim

I had Flexi NP and Oversize bindings completely re-engineered which spawned a new idea, the revolutionary Multi-Shim.

Pole to Pole Run, South Pole. Dec-Jan

I guided Pat Farmer on the final stage of his 20,000km Pole to Pole Run. 1200km in a record 21-days running from Union Glacier to the South Pole.

South Pole

My annual trip with a team from China to Antarctica, flying to the South Pole, camping a night on the Plateau, and visiting Emperor penguins.

Pole to Pole Run, North Pole to Canada. April-May

I guided Pat Farmer on the first leg of his historic Pole to Pole Run. We skied 800km in 40 days from the North Pole to Canada's Ward Hunt Island.

Flexi Oversize Ski Bindings

I designed an Oversize model of Flexi ski bindings to accommodate a trend in wider polar boots. It's now my most popular design.

Antarctica via every gateway town

I became the first person to have entered Antarctica via all gateway towns - Hobart, Christchurch, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia and Cape Town

South Pole via Cape Town. Nov-Dec

I guided a group of 11 Chinese to Antarctica via Cape Town, South Africa, flying to the South Pole, camping a night on the Plateau, and visiting Emperor penguins. This would become an annual trip.

North Pole Guiding. April

A last degree expedition, during which we encountered some of the worst conditions seen in the region.

North Pole Guiding. April

I guided a half degree expedition with a team of Australians.

Flexi Plateau Launched

Flexi Plateau, a lightweight ski binding suitable for any footwear, was introduced during my Antarctic Peninsula trip.

Geelong Grammar School Antarctic Expedition. December

I was a polar guide for a world-first student expedition, sailing from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula where we skied, sea kayaked and climbed

Greenpeace Climate Impacts Expedition. June-Dec

Polar guide on a circumnavigation of Greenland aboard Arctic Sunrise. A worrying insight into the consequences of climate warming

North Pole Wedding. April

I arranged the first wedding to take place at the North Pole,

North Pole Guiding. April

A fast 5-day last degree expedition with a New Zealand adventurer.

Antarctica's Gamburtsev Province. Nov-Jan

I was appointed Field Leader of AGAP South on Dome Argus. AGAP was a major project of the International Polar Year.

North Pole Guiding. April

I guided two expeditions within the last degree including a couple in their late 70's, camping a night at the North Pole.

Guru Face Mask

I started designing my own face mask in 2004 but it wasn't until 2008 that I really came up with an effective, and unique, design.

Svalbard Traverse. March

A private 300km, 8-day ski expedition across Spitsbergen.

Messner Route to South Pole

I guided an international team of four men and women, skiing 900+km in a fast 38-day from the Ronne Ice Shelf to the South Pole.

North Pole Guiding. April

A last degree expedition with 3 Australians and the first Indian woman to ski to the North Pole.

Sarsen Voyage to Antarctica. December

A voyage with my family across the Southern Ocean to Macquarie Island and east Antarctica, with 4 children under the age of 10 on board.

Spartan Sled Harness

I designed the Spartan harness as is a stripped back lightweight harness suited to expeditions not requiring a sit harness for kiting or rescue.

North Pole Guiding. April

I guided Australian Polar Extreme, including the first Australian woman to ski to the North Pole, followed by a 3-day North Pole trek with an American.

Tactical Ski Bindings

The US military begin to purchase my Flexi Ski Bindings

North Pole Guiding. April

I guided a team of 7 Australians, skiing the last degree to the North Pole in 8 days.

Medal of the Order of Australia

I was awarded an OAM for achievement in polar exploration and for service to the community by promoting outdoor activities, particularly to youth

Flexi Ski Bindings

I launched my first product, Flexi Ski Bindings. I tested the prototype on my Russia to North Pole expedition in 2002.

North Pole Guiding. April

My first North Pole guiding trip, a 112km last degree expedition to the Geographic North Pole.

Global Extremes:Mt Everest

I was a guide and host on this US television series. A kind of Survivor show that took athletes all over world. The winners had the opportunity to climb Mt. Everest.

North Pole from Russia. March-April

My first incursion onto the Arctic Ocean, a baptism of ice. 900km in 58 days, polar bears, immersions, frostbite...the usual. Film: Icetrek North Pole. A prototype of my invention - Flexi Ski Bindings - was used on this expedition with great success.

South Patagonian Icecap. Aug-Sept

A 23-day, 220km ski-kite traverse from Chile's Jorge Montt Glacier to Lago Argentino with friends Wade Fairley and Gary Kuehn. Taking on the wild weather of Patagonia. Film: Riding the Tempest.

Icetrek Expeditions founded

I founded Icetrek Expeditions, my polar expeditioning company.

Atlas Sled Harness

I designed the Icetrek Atlas sled harness with built-in leg loops for kiting and rescue. I used it on my first Ross Island to South Pole expedition.

Icetrek South Pole Expedition. Nov-Jan

An 84-day, 1425km new route from McMurdo to the South Pole via the Shackleton Glacier with Jon Muir and Peter Hillary. The first expedition under my Icetrek brand. Film: Icetrek. Into the Teeth of the Blizzard.

Antarctica 1996-97

I worked for 6 months as a Field Training Officer at Mawson Station, an Australian base.

Spirit of Adventure

I was awarded the Australian Geographic Society's Spirit of Adventure medallion for my Greenland expedition.

Greenland crossing. July-August

Green Ice Traverse was the first crossing of Greenland by an Australian team. Using kayaks as sleds, Wade Fairley, Ben Galbraith and I paddled from Tasillaq to Isortoq then skied and kited across the icecap to Kangerlussuaq.

Ellesmere Island, Canadian High Arctic. June-July

My first polar expedition, making the first crossing of the world's fourth largest icecap and the first ascent from sea level of Ellesmere Island's highest mountain, Barbeau Peak.

Cycle touring through South America. December to February

3000km from Buenos Aires to the Andes, down to Punta Areas, over the Magellan Strait (by ferry!) and across Tierra del Fuego to Ushuaia

Australian Ellesmere Island Arctic Expedition

My first polar expedition, a 23-day, 250km traverse of Ellesmere's largest icecap and the first sea-to-summit climb of Barbeau Peak

New Zealand adventures

I completed a Technical Mountaineering Course followed by regular climbing forays and cycling touring around the South Island

Timbertop

I was Head of Outdoor Education at Geelong Grammar School's Timbertop. I taught over 1000 kids during 5 years, but perhaps they taught me!

World travels

A year of international travel, hitch-hiking through New Zealand, USA and Canada, driving through the UK, and cycling from Holland to Egypt

Education

I graduated from Salisbury College of Advanced Education (University of South Australia) with a Diploma of Teaching, a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education

Eric Louis Jules Philips

Born in Melbourne, Australia. My mum and dad, Keith and Josephine, emigrated from Holland in 1957. I'm the third in a clutch of six kids - Coen, Joyce, me, Ralph, Kathy and Isabel.