Dave King, long-time member of the Caledonia Ramblers and a familiar face to the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia (FMCBC) has been named a Citizen of the Year in his home community.
The Prince George Community Foundation has bestowed the honour on Dave for his contributions to outdoor recreation in B.C.’s Central Interior – and they are many.
If you are a member of the Ramblers, it is only a matter of time before you run into Dave.
Along with regularly leading weekend hikes and snowshoes, Dave has organized and led the club’s annual weeklong trip for many years. Held every August, the trips have taken club members to destinations across northern B.C. – from Kakwa to Edziza to the Rainbow range in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park to name a few.
Dave is a prolific maintainer and builder of trails in this region. He was instrumental in the creation and construction of a series of well-used trails in the Robson Valley east of Prince George. Among his more recent achievements, he organized installation of cedar plankway along a marshy section of the popular Viking Ridge trail in the valley. And when he is not hiking, he is often out with a chainsaw clearing blown down trees.
Along with Nowell Senior, who was named a Citizen of the Year a few years ago, Dave played a key role in the creation of the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park, and in building the foundations for a universal boardwalk that provides wheelchair access to the park.
With help from Bob Nelson, who recently passed away, Dave has edited, printed and distributed the Central Interior Trail Guides – one for Prince George and area and one for the Robson Valley, They have become a mainstay for anyone interested in exploring the region’s backcountry.
Dave has been heavily involved in the FMCBC as a director for many years. He has kept the Ramblers informed on important developments and provided valuable information and advice on how to better outdoor recreation across the province.
A celebration was recently held for Dave and three other Prince George residents also named 2023 Citizens of the Year.
