Eric and Mardi were exceptional guides on the adventure of a lifetime. I wrote an article about my Icetrek experience: https://www.washingtonpost.com...
I am preparing for a big solo expedition in the future and couldn't do it without Eric in my corner. On our expedition in Svalbard, they always had the most positive attitude, they kept things fun, and they looked out for the safety and well being of everyone on the team constantly.
Eric, it was incredibly influential to watch you in your element, amongst the Arctic wilderness. Thank you for your guidance and mentoring me.
Thanks again for a great trip. Very much enjoyed it – l learnt a lot from you and Ya, you looked after us incredibly well, and were fun and professional.
Thank you for providing the opportunity to an everyday person like me to get a taste of the alpine environment and its “asks” of human beings traveling through on snowshoes and skis. The week in the Snowy Mountains in such a prodigiously good snow season was fabulous, complete with emergency hut “lock-in” due to gale force winds & white-out, some good expedition tenting, clear blue skies and pristine, fresh snow.
We did extensive research about who the best guiding company would be for a 14 year old girl with a dream of skiing to the North Pole. Our conclusion was that Eric Philips and Icetrek was the stand-alone global leader when it comes to polar expeditions, not only in terms of extensive polar experience, but also a history in outdoor education and background in managing media productions in remote locations. Eric’s calm, patient and relaxed personality, mixed with his work ethic and professionalism made him the perfect team member and leader. No request was too hard. Both Jade and I finished our expedition with a huge amount of respect for Eric and sharing a friendship with him that will no doubt last a lifetime.
Eric - thank you for making the whole trip possible for us. I've had an absolute blast and have to pinch myself for reassurance that I really did make it to the North pole!
I just wanted to send you a note to again thank you from the bottom of my heart for our trip together to the North Pole. I simply could not have asked for a companion more experienced and professional who made the impossible possible for me in a totally alien environment, and I also could not have asked to be with anyone who was better company to be with and who could make even the torture and the cold seem enjoyable! I learned a huge amount from you Eric, not just about the technical aspects of trekking and surviving in -40C but also how to conduct oneself as a person. Your modesty about your skills and accomplishments and the way that you encouraged and pushed me beyond where I thought that I could go, but yet always knew when was the right time for me to stop or do something different, were really extraordinary
Amazing knowledge on anything polar, Eric is the man for your next polar adventure!
I just came back from "Last Degree Trip to North Pole". The whole trip was an incredible experience. Already getting to the starting point at 89° north was an adventure. 3 hrs flight to camp Barneo, then 25 min helicopter transfer. It was great to see with how much enthusiasm and professionalism these transports in an extremely unfriendly environment were executed by the Russian staff. Thereafter came the "meat" part of the trip: 6.5 days walking in a stunning, overwhelming nature, letting me feel like an ant. The guiding by Eric was EXTREMELY safe and client-oriented! We continuously took profit from Eric's 20Y experience in Arctic travelling and behaviour. It was great to see our progresses day by day. To my opinion, You do not have to be a SUPER-athlete to complete this trip. Some continuous training, stamina and tolerance to the cold will allow to enjoy it.
I just recently completed the Last Degree walk to the north pole guided by Eric, I had an amazing adventure. Although there were a few delays to start with this was without anything Icetrek could do but with everyone pulling together to sort the issue we were soon heading for the ice.
I would say I am inexperienced with camping , sking and cold weather experience so Eric had his work cut out guiding me. He was patient and very well experienced which in turn made me feel safe and confident on the ice .
I would recommend this experience to anyone and especially recommend Icetrek as your guides/organisers as I felt in good safe hands throughout the trip.
Eric and his crew are the epitome of professional. I had a great experience skiing around Svalbard with Icetrek. Will definitely look to do more trips with Eric and Icetrek. Heath did an amazing job leading this trip, learned a ton and am looking forward to more adventures. Thanks again for having me.
I would like to thank Eric for an unforgettable trip to the North Pole.
So, if you ever think of going there he’s the guide to be chosen.
Most likely the nowadays person with the most extensive experience in guiding this expedition.
His social skills paired with his humour are sort of a warranty certificate to make this journey a great success.
I have enjoyed telling people of my experience and reminiscing about the great trip we had and the super team to have travelled with. I have felt a certain feeling of calm and peace ever since returning.
The best compliment that I can pay you is that if you were to put all your design experience and skills towards designing the ultimate polar guide, I feel that the result would be pretty close to describing you!
Wow, what an incredible adventure! I always wanted to play 'polar explorer' and I got to do it on the Novice Icetrek trip around Mt Kosciuszko. Eric is an absolute legend - full of knowledge and experience, and with the communication and teaching skills necessary to impart that knowledge to the group. He's great company too and full of tales of derring do. An awesome trip. Thanks
I took a trip with Eric in the Australian Alps and had a fabulous time. Eric is one of the best, if not the best, Polar guides around. Eric has the perfect nature for guiding and is supportive, accessible and fun to be with and learn from. You won't be disappointed doing a trip with Icetrek!
Our adventure had everything! Near arctic winds, beautiful bluebird days, skiing, snowshoeing and mountain summits. We had an opportunity to be challenged and learn a lot of valuable cold weather expedition techniques & tips from an expert who has done it all many times. There was also plenty of time to talk of past and upcoming adventures whilst sipping on some whiskey. Having been on many adventurous trips all over the world, this trip was as enjoyable as any of them. Plenty of reasons to dream of a polar expedition and I would definitely travel with Icetrek again.
I had the pleasure of having Eric Philips guide me on my successful North Pole expedition in 2005. His ability, professionalism and knowledge all combined to make my experience in the high Arctic one I will treasure for the rest of my life. I have the highest recommendation for Icetrek and Eric as a guide; his ongoing success rate in an environment where others have failed is a testament to his amazing talent.
Many thanks for your efforts in getting me there. The whole experience of Svalbard, the activities there, the people I met and finally getting to the North Pole after so much 'hurry up and waiting' was pretty amazing.
My name is Tom Smit, in 2004 I went with Eric and some other crazy Aussies on a last degree trip to the North pole. To me it's one of the exceptional things in life I have done, we had a great time and Eric was very helpful arranging good weather! He is a very good guide, experienced and knowledgeable about the Arctic. When you have the chance to do this trip, just do it!
The last degree trek to the North Pole was both physically and mentally arduous, but the planning and execution represented the most rewarding and satisfying experience possible in an area of unimaginable beauty. Easily, the best physical activity I have ever done!
At Longyearbyen, Eric reviewed my equipment and gave advice and encouragement. He arranged for us to get one of the four window seats in the transport to Borneo.The cold was intense, but with proper preparation, caution and the right equipment, quite manageable. Arriving at the Pole was far more rewarding than I imagined. I was prepared for the ice and the cold and the joy of reaching our destination. I was not prepared for the wonderful people I would meet, and the ways by which making their acquaintance would make the trip even more incredible. I was coincidentally able to meet some wonderful, adventurous people who accepted me as an equal. It was the trip of a lifetime. My wife said that for the first time in my life, I was rendered speechless when I tried to explain the experience.
When I think about North Pole, the 2 things that spontaneously flash in my mind are the spectacular beauty that my eyes and heart had the privilege to see/cherish/experience for 10 days and the friendly team that was always volunteering to help with a persistent smile stuck on their faces. I wish I could describe how much these great memories would mean. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience.
I’d like to thank Icetrek and in particular, Eric Philips, for helping me extreme ski to the North Pole and realise a life long goal. Discovering the unknown & experiencing one of the last true frontiers on earth is really a dream come true for me. The mind blowing icescape that is the North Pole is a visual memory that will stay with me forever. After nine days of navigating huge amounts of open water (leads), ice rubble & experiencing gale force winds and - 30 degree temperatures, Eric got us there not only safely & soundly, but one day ahead of schedule. Never did I feel fearful, even tho pushing myself to the limits. The experience was not only TOTALLY exhilarating, but extremely achievable. As a consequence, I have returned home a stronger person (not only physically), but mentally, knowing now that I am capable of achieving anything I truly put my mind to. Eric, I just want to say thank you for that.
I think Eric was born to do this and did a tremendous job in balancing the need to maintain safety, push us to achieve our goal and have a good time. I gained valuable experience and a greater clarity in the direction of my life, good friends, an experience to tell my grandchildren about in 60 years and buns of steel.
I learnt a lot about myself and my limitations and how far I can push myself, which is further than I had imagined. I really enjoyed the friendships and the team aspects, it was a trip of a lifetime and I feel I would like to visit the 'backyard of ice' again sometime in the future.
Eric, lots of thanks for helping me to realise my big dream!!
Your dedication to do things right is outstanding. In our hearts we know you are the very best guide there is. You gave us such unforgettable, wonderful memories. Within me I still feel the appreciation for you taking such good care of us.
Eric, I know I speak for the entire team when I say that you are the best guide on the planet and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time with you on the ice. I learned so much from you -- and I will always be grateful to you for your leadership during this trip.
Thank you for such a great trip. You helped make this our reality.
What an unforgettable trek you have given us. Granted you are running a business, but you give so much of yourself and so much more. We could never pay enough for the once in a lifetime adventure you gave us. We are humbled by your ability, experience, sense of humour and enthusiasm that you have shared, and then you took such good care of us. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you Eric for your kindness and generosity. I hope our paths will cross again.
Dear Eric, thanks for the adventure of a lifetime. Well organised, brilliantly executed and full of enthusiasm fun and drama. Your experience and competence made the recurrent challenges seem ' a walk in the park". To have a guide with the humour, experience and character displayed by you is rare. Everyone should do this sometime in their life!
This is just a quick note to say thank you for providing me with one of the most fantastic weeks of my life and a life experience I will cherish for the rest of my days. I always felt comfortable in your care and guidance and felt we were assisted to achieve our goals but always within the boundaries of safety and you put us ahead of your own comforts. Above all, it was a lot of fun.
You were a consummate professional. Not only do you have the experience and ability – you are also one of the most patient people that I know. Your constant encouragement at all times was appreciated by all.
You're a professional, you behaved beautifully, taught me many things and I had fun with you.
It was a great trip and well done to you for playing such a vital role in it's success!
The Commonwealth Team could not have had a better guide and I think we all reflected along the route how lucky we were and privately happy we had the 'bloke from Hobart'. We all appreciated your guidance and team spirit and certainly I haven't had as much fun with a guide along the route which made it all the more enjoyable, I have fantastic memories which will live for many years to come.
Thanks Eric for the amazing adventure, I've enjoyed every single moment of it. You're an inspiring and dedicated professional, always capable of keeping the team together. You made the impossible feel possible and within my reach.
Many thanks for your help on the expedition. We finally made it and we really do appreciate the effort you put in to make it happen for us.
Eric is THE person to know when you are planning a trip to North Pole. In an environment where experience counts, it’s better to have the best men in the team! His experience was critical and very helpful when the conditions worsened the day we reached north pole. Last but not least, his breakfast combo is a bomb!! Food is important there ;)
Just wanted to say thanks again so much for an awesome week, I learned an absolute heap and had a great time as well.
