Phil Doole - NZ's most determined mountaineer

Phil Doole Phil & Gottlieb summit Mt Cook Phil & John Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku and descent Humpridge Track Conical Hill, Reefton
(Mt Tapuae-o-uenuku Photos: Pip Lynch)

Two major climbing accidents on New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki/Mt Cook (3754m) did not dampen Phil Doole's love of the mountains.. In 1979 he was racing through the night to raise the alarm of another group's serious accident on the Linda Glacier when he fell into a crevass. Landing on a ledge he broke his femur and was there for 36 hours with only his closed cell foam mat until he was rescued.

In 1982 an enforced 14-day bivy near the top of Aoraki/Mt Cook resulted in him losing both feet to frostbite.
This did not dampen Phil's resolve to continue visiting the mountains. His first trip with new legs was to the Inca Trail in South America where he accompanied a group of climbing friends. He followed this with climbs of Mt Taranaki and Mt Aspiring.

In 1992 PHil attempted Mt Aconcagua (6962m) in Argentina, the highest point in the world outside Asia, and Cerro Ojos del Saldos (6893m) on the Argentine/Chilean border, with guide Shaun Norman.

In 1999 Phil returned to the Mt Cook region to attempt a guided climb of Mt Tasman, New Zealand's 2nd highest peak but encountered recurring stump pain caused by pressure from his patella tendon bearing (PTB) artificial limbs. He found technology had changed considerably since his first prothesis so with new carbon fibre feet and new attachment technology his confidence to tackle higher mountains was regained.

In December 2003 Phil achieved a long held goal when, with guide Gottleib Braun Elwert and assistant Gary Russek he climbed Mt Cook.

On 3 November 2006 Phil achieved another long held goal when he climbed Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku.The climb was made from the East via the Clarence River along with Pip Lynch, John Cocks and Geoff Gabites. Later in November he walked the Humpridge Track as one of the track's guests in Celebrity Walk Week and more recently he was found on Conical Hill near Reefton.
Phil is president elect of the New Zealand Alpine Club.

Phil's Earth Sea Sky Essentials:
Note: Extreme overtrousers and Fleece pants length adusted. The Riff Raff is an Earth Sea Sky original, Phil favourite still going strong after 15 years!

Zeal Riff Raff First Layer Zip Polo Silk Weight T Fleece pants Extreme Overtrousers

Explorer Hot Head First Layer Boxers Legionnaires Cap