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Police officer in second bid to conquer Mount Everest
Phil aims to be on top of the world.
POLICE Sergeant Phil Drowley is planning to climb the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest at 8,850 metres.
Phil, 40, of Douglas, has been working towards what he describes as his 'dream' since 1999 when a colleague came into his office and invited him to climb Kilimanjaro for charity. Having experienced that climb, he knew he had to go higher.
Over the past eight years, Phil has climbed all over the world and some of his notable ascents include the highest mountains in Europe, South America and North America.
In November 2005, Phil went to Tibet to climb in the Himalayas and reached the summit of Cho Oyu — the sixth highest mountain in the world at 8,201 metres.
At the top the only mountain visibly higher — at another 650 metres — was Everest.
Phil knew he had to climb it.
He tackled Everest for the first time in March 2006 and climbed to just below 8,500 metres before having to turn back — the summit an agonisingly 350 metres from his reach!
While devastated at having to turn back, Phil said he knew he had made the right decision as he is still here and the mountain is still there to climb. He said: 'Others that year were not as fortunate and I witnessed horrific frostbite injuries and death.'
Phil said he was tempted to walk away from his dream, but found he could not.
On March 29 he leaves for Everest, hoping to reach the summit in mid-May before returning to the Island in June. Phil will be taking some unpaid leave to make the attempt.
He received a Manx flag from Chief Minister Tony Brown, which he hopes to fly on the summit. So far no one has flown a Manx flag at the highest point in the world.
Trekking to base camp with Phil will be work colleagues Keith Kinrade and Kevin Willson, both of whom climbed Kilimanjaro with him.
In fact, Phil puts all the blame on Kevin who was the colleague who walked into his office at police headquarters that day back in 1999.
Phil will be doing this climb to raise money for Isle of Man families and friends of Ronald McDonald House.
'The costs of my expeditions have been massive, and this one isn't exactly working out as cheap, but every penny donated will go to charity; none will be going towards the trip as is now becoming the norm with fundraising efforts.
'That said, I would love to hear from any company who would be interested in being involved in a piece of Manx history-making,' he said.
Phil said that over the years he had been moved to hear from friends and work colleagues whose children had needed to travel off Island to attend hospitals in the UK. It was thanks to Ronald McDonald housing that parents were able to be close to their children.
Patron of the locally registered charity Sir Miles Walker said it was 'glad' Phil was offering his support.
Collection boxes will be placed at the front counters of police stations to allow anyone who wishes to drop off donations to do so.
Alternatively, Phil can be contacted at Lord Street police station, Douglas, on 631212.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy showers
Temperature: 5 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
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