Michael Phillips

Michael Phillips

Michael Phillips was born in Edmonton, Alberta on June 14, 1936 and raised in Calgary, Alberta.

He was a mountain climber in his youth, climbing one of the tallest mountains in the Rockies, Mount Assiniboine. He was also a cowboy spending several summers working on farms and ranches. He told us that he once had a horse stabled near what is now 16 avenue in Calgary.

After completing his geology degree at the University of Alberta in Edmonton he decided employment in South-West Africa would best suit his character.  While working there for 6 years he met Barbara Phillips and after a short courtship, they were married on May 22, 1965.

In 1965 they decided on a life of adventure that started with a move to Calumet, Yukon where he was a geologist for United Keno Hill for two years.  Their first child Ross was born in Mayo and subsequent children Michelle and Thane were born in Whitehorse.

Mike was long employed as an exploration geologist by Archer Cathro and Associates where he spent the summers in his favorite pastime of hiking and exploring the wilderness of the Yukon.

He had likely hiked throughout the majority of the  Yukon always with one of his many dogs throughout the years.

He passed away on Feb 25, 2026 in Whistle Bend Place.