Having made almost thirty first ascents and ski descents of previously unclimbed Antarctic mountains, over 650 days of skiing in Antarctica, and ten seasons of sailing yachts to Antarctica, Phil is keen to share his love of Antarctic skiing, sailing and the wildlife with other like-minded individuals. For Phil, Antarctica is the most stunning place on earth, and somewhere that all serious skiers should dream of making tracks.
Phil studied biology at Imperial College in London, England. After completing his PhD in plant pathology, he worked for two winters and three summers as a field guide for the British Antarctic Survey, combining his passion for natural science with that of mountain exploration and photography. He has led numerous climbing and skiing expeditions to Antarctica, Tibet, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Peru, East Greenland, the Caucasus and Canada, and was Vice President of the Alpine Club in 2006-7.
Phil works as a freelance photographer, polar guide, expedition leader, naturalist and lecturer in expeditions, polar geology and history. He also runs the our glacier training sessions.When not working or playing in far-flung places he lives in England on the edge of Peak District National Park.
Cath Hew combined her passion for ocean sailing and Antarctica when she purchased the yacht 'Spirit of Sydney' in 2003 and realised her dream of providing expedition support in one of the most beautiful and interesting places on earth. Cath grew up racing dinghies and then built her own yachts. Between 1993 and 1997 she sailed around the world and competed in many major ocean races in Australia, including the famous 1998 Sydney-Hobart Race. After visiting the Antarctic Peninsula by ship in 2000 she knew she had to return by yacht in order to travel freely and to explore its more interesting and less explored areas. There is nothing she likes more than to share this with other like minded and interesting people.
During her first sailing trip to the Antarctic Peninsula in 2003-04 trips Cath was joined by an experienced ice skipper; she then took up the reins as skipper and they sailed double-handed across the Drake Passage to make their rendezvous, on time, at King George Island with the Steve Irwin and his film crew to complete a very successful season. These days, after 12 seasons and many varied and exciting trips, Cath revels in helping people to realise their dream of exploring Antarctica safely, and loves to see her guests return to Ushuaia with wonderful memories of Antarctica and of the excellent food and wine provided on Icebird.