"A beast of a man, the energy Phill has at his command- and regularly uses and spreads liberally to others on any given day- is the equivalent possessed by one hundred of your average earthly citizens. Phill is a bundle of energy, and has an enthusiasm for life that is a surprising rarity amongst our population. He is a man who gets things done, and once he puts his mind to something, is impossible to stop. In addition, Phill's outdoor experience is vast, and he exudes a confidence and level of comfort in the natural environment that only comes from spending extended periods of time in such places. His experience not only includes a voluminous amount of climbing, but engagement with- and life lived in- the Canadian Arctic, Baja California and much of Central and South America. I hope to see Phill stand on Everest's summit!"

Written by Andrew Brash, Alpine Specialist and Educator, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

***

"Phill Michael defies category. His pursuit of absolute excellence is a source of admiration to anyone lucky enough to spend time with him. A positive influence on me since we first met, his wide eyed perception of the world and his lack of fear when attempting the extraordinary inspire the best in everyone. He has been my outdoor guide and mentor for over ten years, and has become a close friend, companion and incredible supporter of my own endeavors.

Every new idea- of which he has hundreds per day- drives a new adventure and often, some lucky individual or group or team is privileged enough to share it with him. Phill's leadership style is simply by excellent example. While many leaders expound their knowledge and skills without hesitation, Phill also is wise enough to soak up the knowledge that surrounds him. He is confident and respectful, creative and logical, passionate and generous. He exudes the belief that nothing is impossible. His dreams are wild and fantastic but his plans organized, calculated and perfect. I have no doubt that he will advance the limits of modern mountaineering and medical technology with the professionalism and grace that are intrinsic aspects to all of his missions."

Written by Niky Hatfield, Medical Student and Outdoor Leader, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

* * *

"It is impossible to describe Phill Michael's good qualities with words. My experience of life in the mountains with Phill has been one of the most enriching and rewarding times of my life. I know Phill to be very friendly and warm-hearted, with a prodigious sense of humor; he inspires joy and enthusiasm. Phill has unbounded zest and energy for life, and is totally well grounded and level headed. In terms of Phill's abilities as a mountaineer and leader, I have absolute confidence in him. Phill possesses a high level of technical ability and yet he is not overconfident- he has innate mountain sense and displays sound judgment.

I have noticed that Phill has a finely tuned intuition. He also has a sharp intellect with good concentration, as well as the ability to maintain awareness of an overall situation. In difficult and dangerous situations, he always kept his head and ensured the well being and safety of the whole team.

Phill has excellent people management skills. He understands the ways of people, and has the ability to bring out the best in the individual as well as to integrate the team as a whole. Phill communicates directly, clearly and honestly- he is not prone to psychological games. Although endowed with a strong personality, he has the rare quality of allowing others the space to be themselves, without overshadowing them.

Phill shows respect for people and has a good sense of morality. Although highly self-motivated, Phill is not in the least self centered or ego driven. I found him to be patient, thoughtful and good humored even during the most difficult situations. Due to Phill's healthy passion for adventure, good ethics and clear thinking, I truly believe that whatever he applies himself to will result in a positive outcome for all those involved. I therefore highly recommend Phill for whatever he aspires to do. "

Written by Carl Freeman, Climbing Instructor (Australian Climbing Instructors Association)

***

"My relationship with Phill began seven years ago, on a spring canoe trip in Alberta. Since our first meeting, we have completed over nine expeditions together, ranging from the outer reaches of Canada's west coast, to the arid mountains of Baja and the jungles of Belize and Guatemala. Through the trials we have undergone during our adventures- coupled with our mutually developed intellectual interests-  I have come to know Phill as a fellow traveler, mentor and friend. He continues to impress me with his combination of physical ability, mental astuteness and resolute leadership.

Phill also possesses a special passion for the natural world, I have seen first hand how he conveys and shares his passion with those around him. He aims to bring others into his world, not to see the beauty he sees, but to allow them the context to discover their own beauty. Through his combination of field-tested hard and soft skills, he is able to take novice adventurers out into the wild and bring them back astounded and enlightened. He always handles this responsibility with grace. I have placed my life in his hands, and will do so again.

It  takes an exceptional person to lead an Everest expedition, and this is precisely how I would characterize Phill- he is exceptional. He defies convention, and is a lateral thinker. He has shocking amounts of energy; I believe this permits his unique drive and stubborn persistence. Phill has walked the road less traveled in many aspects of life and has attained huge success by diligence and forward thinking. My experience with Phill leads me to say he will not do something unless he believes it to be right. He will not bend to the will of others if it contradicts his judgment and, once decided, he will not move on the issue. Likewise, when he commits to an endeavourer, he puts his life's energy into it, and will not rest until full satisfaction and achievement are attained. He maintains a very strong will.

Phill is a leader in the industry of outdoor pursuits. He has fulfilled his mission to "usher in a new era of adventure travel" with his company Secret Spot Adventures Ltd. Through a combination of passion and invention, he has helped many people see a world otherwise beyond their reach. He has displayed ingenuity in the type and style of trips he has evolved over time, ultimately becoming exceptionally capable in multidisciplinary endeavors. He is an adventurer, guide, teacher, engineer and mentor. I have benefited from his experiential knowledge base and from his admirable ambition. As a mentor, he has opened my eyes to a world of peace and opportunity. He continuously shatters my perceived limitations because he creates a path for himself and walks it. I believe his widely diverse interests are also an indication of his vigorous intellect.

I believe Phill will make it to the top of the world, because he has decided it will be so. He will return to share every step of his journey with his community. He will touch the sky, the highest point on earth, descend with joy and inspire all people in valleys to look beyond the peaks. The community, and all those who have made themselves apart of this special undertaking, awaits their fulfilled return."

Written by Tom Hatfield, 4^th Year English Major, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia

* * *

"A True Adventurer and an Extraordinary Man are just two descriptions that immediately spring to mind when I think of Phill. I have known Phill for more than a decade, and in that timeframe have had the pleasure of getting to know him and experiencing diverse adventures with him. Phill introduced me to ice climbing and has been an inspiration to my adventurous nature ever since; he is always willing to share his passion for life and adventure.

From his business savvy to his thirst for knowledge, adventure and personal growth, the drive that I have witnessed Phill exhibit to achieve his goals is truly amazing. Phill is a multi-talented individual who is able to manage, interact and work well on projects within the varied cultures that call this planet home. I am never surprised to hear about a new adventure or project that Phill is working on somewhere in the world.

He possesses very strong and admirable character traits that truly shine during intense activities, and there is no doubt in my mind that the people involved in this latest project will prosper from it. As for Mount Everest and the spirit of the mountain, I truly believe that she will graciously welcome Phill and his Team to her flanks and to her sacred summit."

Written by Keith Grimes, Technical Sales Representative and Avid Climber, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

* * *

" I have been a customer and friend of Phill Michael since my first trip with him to Baja California in 1996.

The fact that I have been a repeat customer, in all sorts of exotic locations, shows that I appreciate his abilities as a guide. I have also been able to observe his interactions with a wide range of people. This in fact is his strongest point. He is comfortable, and makes others feel comfortable- be they highly placed business executives or local people living off the land. During all the trips I have joined him on, he has made it a principle of operation to benefit the local economy by buying food locally wherever feasible and renting equipment, in our case kayaks, from local suppliers if at all available. In spite of adventurous aspects of trips he organizes, I consider him highly safety conscious, both for his customers and for himself.

With regards to his proposed Everest climb, I see a person who wants to test his abilities to the highest limits, but who will also be a tremendous ambassador showing that a Westerner can work with the local population and get the best out of his co-workers, indigenous or otherwise, to the maximum satisfaction of all concerned."

Written by Frank Weichman

Professor Emeritus (Physics) and Outdoor Enthusiast, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada