Ryan Hossner
Student Coordinator, Voyages
After three years of blood, sweat, and tears I am finally a Senior in college! I am a Bio major with an emphasis in Ecology and Evolution. As a kid I was wary of nature—confronted with a puddle or a sunny day, I kept on my guard. Now that I’m a real-life grown-up I find joy in taking advantage of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I love hiking, I bike to school, and I run around shirtless and barefoot as much as I can. Sunburns are my favorite kind of pain - I can't handle much else. My friends and I traipse around the state as Adventure Squad; if there’s a creek by the side of the highway, we’ll play in it. I participated on a Voyage as a Freshman, led one as a Sophomore, and am in my second year as Student Coordinator. I look forward to meeting you, and encourage you to take the leap with Pacific Voyages! |
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Chad Toomey
Director, Pacific Outback
toomeyc@pacificu.edu
503-352-2264
I have the great pleasure of working with this staff of young leaders and cleaning up from their adventures. I have directed the Outback for a good number of years now and the job just keeps getting better. I keep coming back because nothing compares to the thrill of sharing the joy of river running or dropping a knee on a slope you just climbed. I have gone 33 days without a shower but I have always enjoyed to benefits of bathing in rivers, oceans or soaking in hot springs on long trips. |
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Marissa Utterberg
Student Coordinator, Pacific Outback
I am a senior majoring in math. Though I am from Portland, OR; southwest Washington and the Gorge are my playground. Much like trees, I enjoy sunshine, rain, and dirt...ah, dirt! My favorite activities are backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, puddle jumping, rafting, windsurfing, hiking, kite flying, wine tasting, microbrews...ok, I like pretty much everything there is to do here in the Northwest.
In the city I live it up at concerts, festivals, and as much trouble I can get myself into.
I prefer sunrises over sunsets (unless they're in Colorado), green over grey, "pub" over "bar", internal over external frame, white water over sea kayaks, and green over red peppers. |
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Sara Brells
Backpacking
Up until I came to Pacific as a freshman last fall, horses were my life. The thrill of riding, the peace in grooming, the accomplishments of instructing, the rich smell of clean leather, the pungent scent of stalls calling for my pitchfork ― they defined my middle and high school years and I loved every aspect…yes, even mucking stalls! With horses now out of reach, I have adopted the role of a horse out on the trails carrying a rider: my backpack. A favored activity since my dad introduced me via an exploration of the depths of the Grand Canyon six years ago, backpacking is becoming my new love. In a close second comes any other activity that involves fresh air, water, ascents, heat, snow, descents, campfires (only with LNT techniques, of course), and that ever glorious escape from society…which ironically happens to be my other love, seeing as my undeclared major is leaning toward a quintuple major in Social Work, Foreign Policy, Political Science, Anthropology, and Environmental Studies, with a minor in Creative Writing. I am thrilled to be a member of this fall’s Voyage staff, and hope to help generate as amazing of an experience as I had on my backpacking Voyage last year. |
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Ben Busch
Surfing
I do lots of backpacking, hiking, and trail running. I'm a long time skier who recently took up snowboarding when my skis were stolen by a texan.
I learned to surf in oregon as a result of spending a lot of time on the
oregon coast.
I enjoy rafting and have rafted The Colorado River through the Grand
Canyon, The North Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho, White salmon River,
Oregon and more.
I lived in the Florida keys for 4 years and greatly enjoyed snorkling
and surface diving (in clear, warm, carribean water), I recently took up rock climbing, have climbed in Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, and Oregon.
I've seen many of the great natural wonders that America, especially the West, has to offer and love doing just about anything that gets me outside.
I went skydiving once. It was Awesome. |
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Maddie Clemence
Ashland
I am a senior here at Pacific double majoring in Literature and Theatre. I like to keep myself busy to get the most out of my college experience. As a result, I have been an active member of the Delta Chi Delta Sorority, a hall council member, a Residence life staff member for two years, Producer of LunchBox Theare, and have worked for the Forest Grove Boys and Girls Clubs. In my limited free time I also like to read, go to the theatre, watch movies and hang out with friends. I have come to appreciate that the majority of the learning we do in college takes place outside of the classroom. I am proud to be a Voyage leader this year so that I can pass on what I have learned and continue my own education in new and interesting ways. I love Pacific and appreciate the opportunities I have had here. |
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Kayce Ernst
Seattle
I am a senior majoring in Exercise Science, Integrative Physiology. This is my second year at Pacific, as I am a transfer student from the University of Oregon. I am from Portland and love to enjoy the outdoors. Trips to the beach, mountain and rivers are a must. I have recently taken up hiking and mountain biking. Most of my time outdoors is spent playing softball. I have been playing competitively since I was 5 and achieved a championship title in NWAACC’s during my 2 years of college ball. I am excited to lead the Seattle voyage trip. I have been there many times and am thrilled to venture through the city and experience all that Seattle offers with the voyage group this fall. Hope to see you in August! |
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Mindy Ingebretson
Canoeing
I am a senior biology major from Lowell, OR. My favorite season is winter because I enjoy skiing and winter trekking. Most of the time you can find me somewhere in Strain, toiling away on a lab or just hangin out... yeah... I like school, I admit it! My favorite place to be is out in the backcountry, especially after a fresh snowfall. I love water, both liquid and solid, and I would like to get more into climbing cause rocks ROCK! One of my passions is helping others, thus I spend my time volunteering for Forest Grove Fire & Rescue... so be safe when you're in my neighborhood! |
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Sierra McCartney
Backpacking
If there are thorns that you have to plow through, bushes that you have to wack aside, relentless mosquitoes, shale that you have to scramble up, and a summit, then I'm there. I love to summit peaks, now one involving bugs and bushwacking may not be on the top of my favorites list but it is always worth it when you reach the summit. Actually, I take that back, Mt. Statin is an exception. If you're ever in Glacier Park and you want to return home looking like the same person then I would recommend not climbing it. Speaking of Glacier Park, I live in Whitefish, Montana which I love because it gives me the opportunity to take advantage of all the outdoor activites that I enjoy including biking, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, rafting, alpine skiing and nordic skiing, yes I am a nordic skier and I will admit it, I love spandex. Another one of my interests is art which I am planning on majoring in, but I am only a Sophomore here at Pacific so hopefully I still have a little more time to decide what I want to do. |
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Dani Phillips
Coast
I'm Dani, I'm a senior majoring in World Languages with minor in Music. I'm crazy about the beach, as I grew up next to the Pacific. I'm really excited to help lead the Coast Tour with Collin and Barb! I get to show everyone a little bit about life on the Oregon Coast, the real OC! I love traveling and I love playing outside. I studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain, traveling all over Europe and I loved every minute, even the part where I had to sneak onto a train with my crazy Honduran roommate because of the bus strike.
Back home in the US I really love to kayak, play at the beach, and especially watch the sunset across the lake! |
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Elena Ranan
Ashland
Hey guys! I'm a junior from Hilo, Hawaii and majoring in History, with a minor in Literature. I love going to different places and experiencing new things, which is evident when I took the snowboard/skiiing class this past semester. Being from a small town, I am fascinated by anything that you throw at me. I love going to the beach and spending time with my friends and family, when I can. I love watching movies, plays, pretty much anything that has to do with the arts. Along with being a voyage leader, I was also an ambassador and enjoying meeting new people. |
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Joe Schroeder
Kayaking
I am a senior majoring in biology. I grew up throughout Oregon but primarily Portland, which is where I have had my biggest influence in getting outdoors via clubs, organizations, and family. I have always been an active person participating in sports whether it be basketball, football, or golf, but have been self-bitten by the outdoor bug because of huge diversity in both the sports and environment in which you can play them. Currently I enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, mountaineering, hiking, whitewater and sea kayaking, and trail running. I think that one of the most wonderful things about participating in outdoor activities is the fact that I am able to enjoy the outdoors all year long throughout each season while continuously challenging my self and meeting great people. |
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MacKenzie Searles
Canoeing
I am a Senior Biology major and Music minor. Growing up I lived overseas and have been a traveler much of my life—Oregon is where I decided to go to college and I love it there. My favorite activities include longboarding, playing my violin, scuba diving, swimming in the ocean, and canoeing. I am spending the majority of my summer working and taking a class at a Marine Laboratory in Maine. I am excited to get back to meet my fellow Voyagers and begin our adventure down to Waldo Lake!! |
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Maggie Schweitzer
Rock Climbing
I'm a sophmore at Pacific majoring in Biology and Environmental Biology. I go by Maggie, although it is no part of my legal name. I laugh a lot and am the living definition of a ball of energy. In high school I got voted Most Daring and Most Accident Prone which is probably not a good combination, but I'm still breathing. I also got most outgoing, so we'll be friends. I love music and going to concerts and music festivals. On the outdoor note: I'm from Montana (the best state in the union, though Oregon is pretty cool too), which on top of meaning I'm awesome means I do a lot of outdoor stuff. I really like anything water related, ie rafting, kayaking, floating, boarding, skiing, those are probably my favorites; but I also really love backpacking, hiking, climbing. I'm a vegetarian, but really like corn dogs: makes it hard. I'm pretty much always outside. I like to think I'm funny.. but I'm probably not, but I have a good sense of humor and a wicked awesome joke about whales and on top of that joke will say plenty of random stuff. It'll be fun! :) |
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Emily Sipe
Surfing
Hi! I'm Emily Sipe and I'm a senior majoring in Biology. I have lived in Oregon almost my entire life and enjoy all the outdoor activities that it has to offer. I was introduced to surfing about a year ago and fell in love with it. It gives an awesome thrill to be in the ocean riding the waves. Although you might think that it's too cold to be in the Pacific Ocean, wetsuits, sun, and energy definitely help beat the chills. I love all music and play cello as well as many other instruments. I enjoy trying interesting foods, listening to music, and traveling. I'm laid back and open minded and love experiencing new things. I recently returned home from my travels in Peru. Some of the most memorable moments there were visiting Machu Picchu, hiking at the Colca Canyon, living in the rainforest, and boating on Lake Titicaca. It's awesome to be a part of Voyages this year, and I am excited to be surfing on the beautiful Oregon coast with you. |
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Kaely Summers
Food & Farm
Kaely enjoys many outdoor activities, whatever the season, including backpacking/hiking, snowboarding, rock-climbing, kayaking, and traveling! Some of the most exciting adventures for Kaely were hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and kayaking in the San Juan Islands. The longest time she has ever gone without a shower was for a week in the Amazon jungle of Perú because there just weren’t any showers to be had. It was another amazing adventure though! Kaely is thrilled to get other people excited about exploring things they’ve never experienced before in a positive learning atmosphere. If she could be any kind of camp food she would be an “O-So-Good,” which is dough wrapped around a stick, roasted, then dipped in butter, and finally rolled in sugar. |
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Amanda Tripp
Rafting |
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Collin Weigel
Coast
I have finally made it to my junior year of college. I'm majoring in business and econ, but also torture myself with math just to savor the moments without numbers or letters representing numbers. At the beginning of my sophomore year I decided to be adventurous and start doing things I had never done before and so far it's been working out very well. Starting with small goals like "don't die" I have made it through whitewater rafting, a ropes course, mountain hiking in Arizona, and surfing. Now I have higher expectations like "meet new people" and "have fun." Of course it's always important to keep my first goal in mind. I am ecstatic to start out this year by meeting new students on an awesome trip, and hope to take on many more adventures as the year progresses. |
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