Polar Challenges / UK / Expeditions / Arctic Expeditions

Philips Eric
	Contact : enquiry@icetrek.com Website : http://www.icetrek.com/

Major Accomplishments

As an adventurer, Eric has visited every continent on earth, often leading lightweight and self-supported expeditions to remote areas. He has skied the world's four largest icecaps and was the first Australian, together with companion Jon Muir, to ski to both the North and South Poles. Eric's experiences include:

2004-05 : North Pole expedition guiding
2004 : Awarded Medal of the Order of Australia for achievements in polar exploration
2002/3 : Host and consultant to US television series, Global Extremes:Mt Everest
2002 : Unsupported expedition to the North Pole from Siberia with Jon Muir (our coverage)
2000 : Unsupported kayak/ski/kite traverse of the South Patagonian Icecap (click here)
1998/99 : New route from Ross Island to the South Pole via Shackleton Glacier (click here)
1996/97 : Field Training Officer at Mawson Station , Antarctica (click here)
1995 : Kayak/ski/kite traverse of Greenland (click here)
1994 : New Zealand mountaineering
1993 : Bicycle expedition through Patagonia and Tierra de Fuego (click here)
1992 : New Zealand mountaineering.
1992 : Traverse of Canadian Ellesmere Island's largest icecap (click here)
1991 : New Zealand mountaineering
1991 : Cycle tour around South Island of NZ (click here)
1988 to '92 : Director of Outdoor Education at Geelong Grammar School's renowned Timbertop
1986 : Cycle Journey from Netherlands to Egypt (click here)
1980 to '85 : Studied at the University of South Australia, attaining a Diploma of Teaching, a Bachelor of Education and Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education.

Background

Eric Philips is the founder and director of Icetrek Expeditions. His outdoor career spans 25 years during which time he has worked professionally as a wilderness guide, outdoor educator, adventure film presenter, motivational speaker, team facilitator and musician.

Through his experiences Eric has developed alternative and highly effective methods of travel in the polar regions and has embraced the use of specialized plastics in the construction of polar-specific equipment. He has been a professionally-sponsored explorer and product-tester since 1995 for established brands such as, Mountain Hardwear, Grivel, Oakley, Leki, Dagger, Perception, Sony, Suunto and Iridium.

Eric is the author of Icetrek. The Bitter Journey to the South Pole and his expeditions have produced four internationally-screened documentary films , most notably, the Emmy Award-winning Greenland production, Chasing the Midnight Sun . He has worked as a consultant for numerous adventure film projects and host for a major television series.

Eric is a notable raconteur and one of Australia's leading motivational speakers . His stories of adventure and survival are steeped in honest and gritty realism and carry casual messages that underpin the structure and success of any team striving for quality results. He has presented talks and audio-visual shows worldwide and to audiences as diverse as company executives to kindergarten children. Eric is an experienced team development facilitator and has worked with reputable establishments such as Victoria Police and the Australian Defense Force Academy.

Eric is ambassador for the acclaimed children's environmental education program, Ollie's World, and for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.