Philip Friesen

Phil Zook Friesen started leading twenty-one day backpacking trips in the Ansel Adams Wilderness in 1996.  The first time he set up a fixed line on a gnarly ridge traverse he knew he had discovered what he wanted to do for the rest of his life: to support the transformation of people’s lives through nature.  Since than he has led thirty-one day canoe trips with court referred youth, guided on mountains in Ecuador, started the Outdoor Pursuits Program at Johns Hopkins University and created the Outdoor Leadership Minor at Pacific University.

His most significant outdoor adventures to date include climbing the Sun Ribbon Arête on Temple Crag (Trad, Alpine, 22 Pitches, 5.10, Grade IV), completing the Liberty Ridge Route on Mt. Rainier (IV, Class 3-4, 45-55 degree snow/ice), and backpacking for five days with his wife and two kids in the Eagle Cap Wilderness.  He is an Assistant Provider for the Professional Climbing Instructor Association (PCIA) and uses this curriculum in the climbing classes he teaches at Pacific University. 

He received his Master’s Degree in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University with a focus on Outdoor Leadership Development.  He believes students must seek to understand themselves at a deeper level in order to discover the style of leadership that will work best for them.  He believes the best way to understand yourself better is by challenging yourself past pre-conceived limits within a supportive community. 

Course Information

At Pacific University, all faculty teach a variety of different courses. Typically, we do not use graduate teaching assistants, which means that your classes will be taught by professors and that you will have plenty of opportunities to get to know the faculty in your discipline.

Below I have listed some of the courses that I teach. We are always developing and trying out new classes, so the list may change now and then.

HPER 156 | Alpine Skiing

HPER 158 | Rock Climbing

HPER 160 | Snowboarding

OL 110 | Intro to Expedition Planning

OL 310 | International Expedition

OL 407 | Rock Guide

SLAM 201 | Lead Dynamics in Rec & Sport

Education

M.S. Experiential Education
Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

B.S. Biology Pre-Med and Minor in Peace and Justice
Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA