He also organized and outfitted many other parties, such as trips of James Monroe Thorington [1895–1989] in 1924, 1928, 1931 and 1936, and those of Ostheimer (1927), Gilmour (1929) and Strumia (1930). He was described by his clients as “..a splendid specimen of manhood; fearless, always efficient, always full of resource, always even-tempered, he was the perfect guide…
Phillips was born in 1884 at Dorset, Ontario. From his father he learned canoeing, fishing, hunting and trapping and soon became an expert outdoorsman and a member of the Guides Association of Ontario. In 1909 he came west looking for guiding opportunities, and that summer met George R. B. Kinney [1872–1961], the two of them teaming up for their controversial climb of Mount Robson.
He was always looking for new adventures. While scouting for locations for ski cabins in 1938, he was killed in an avalanche near Elysium Pass not far from Jasper. Mount Phillips near Mount Robson is named for him.
- Phillips, Donald “Curly” [1884–1938]. “To the top of Mount Robson.” Canadian Alpine Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2 (1910):21-44
- Kinney, George R. B. [1872–1961], and Phillips, Donald “Curly” [1884–1938]. “To the top of Mount Robson.” Canadian Alpine Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2 (1910):21-44
- Phillips, Donald “Curly” [1884–1938]. “Fitzhugh to Laggan. Report by Donald Phillips to A. O. Wheeler, Director of the Alpine Club,Canada.” Canadian Alpine Journal, Vol. 4 (1912):83-86
- Phillips, Donald “Curly” [1884–1938]. “Winter conditions north and west of Mt. Robson.” Canadian Alpine Journal, Vol. 6 (1914–1915):128-135
- Phillips, Donald “Curly” [1884–1938]. “Athabaska Pass to Tonquin Valley via Goat and Fraser Rivers.” Canadian Alpine Journal, Vol. 13 (1923):153
- Phillips, Donald “Curly” [1884–1938]. Banff: M106/147 (1924).