Born and raised 4th generation “Crow’s Nester” and has worked and lived in the Fernie area since the 1970’s. Started working in the Elk Valley Mines in 1972 and after graduating with a BSc in Geology at the University of Calgary (1978) worked as a mining and exploration geologist for 40 years. Always involved in public backcountry and industrial land use management throughout the Elk Valley, spending a lifetime recreating in these mountains. Came from a family of miners, ranchers and loggers and lives rural and understands shared land use issues throughout our mountain environment. Since retirement has been more involved as a volunteer enhancing and defending public backcountry recreational land use. Pat is a founder and director of the Coal Creek Heritage Society.