Frank Ritcey is an exceptional man. Many of his close family and friends will tell you that, and some refer to him as a ‘gem.' His grandson JadeBear, however, knows exactly who his Grandpa is, he is simply “amazing!”
The 68-year-old, former provincial Bear Aware coordinator, CBC host, naturalist, videographer, adventure guide, musician and author is a familiar figure in B.C. with a down-to-earth love for wildlife, wilderness and waterfalls, especially in his ‘home’ area of Wells Gray Park, and throughout the interior of the province.
Ritcey is a respected authority on snakes, bears and other wildlife native to the Interior having grown up in the arms of Wells Gray Park along with his siblings on the lands of the Simpcw and Tsq'escen' with his father Ralph Ritcey, a wildlife biologist, and his mother Clara who was also an avid hiker and author.
The wilderness expert is now facing a new challenging journey in his own personal battle with metastatic prostate cancer, having been recently diagnosed in 2024. As he continues various forms of treatment, he has returned to what he considers to be his best form of therapy, hiking, and has launched a campaign called Hike for the Cure to benefit cancer research.
In a recent interview Ritcey told Black Press prostate cancer is a really tough thing for men to deal with.
"We were taught to be strong, not to ask for help and especially mental health help. Early into this when counselling was suggested to me, I decided to avail myself of these services. Talking with my counsellor has been so beneficial and a big part of what Hike for the Cure is. It’s about managing your mental health. Not just for people with cancer but people fighting any type of major disruption in their life. By getting back out into nature it gives you a chance to ground yourself.”
When talking with his counsellor initially about what his passions in life were and where he found the most peace, he told her he had always found his greatest solace hiking outdoors.
“When you are out among the trees, the wildlife and the water, everything is as it should be. There’s nothing that is out of place. You don’t always get that in an urban setting. With nature, everything is as it should be and if you can tap into that you become re-grounded. That’s what has kept me going. At first with the treatment, it causes a massive change, and you feel like a different person. I went into a great depression, but fortunately with support from family and friends and a ‘prescription’ from my counsellor to get back to hiking. That has really helped to turn things around for me,” he said.
He laughs when he shares that when he told his son Kyle about the counsellor’s prescription to get back out hiking again every day and forget everything else Kyle responded, “Sounds like you are making that one up Dad since you are always looking for an excuse to go hiking!”
Ritcey credits the love and support of family, his wife Raven, son Kyle, grandson JadeBear, daughter River and his siblings and mother Clara for giving him the strength to fight this battle and carry out the Hike for the Cure fundraiser to benefit cancer research in finding a cure for prostate cancer.
“Not all prostate cancer is incurable. I intend to fight to be here when a cure is found.”
He added if people are facing big challenges in life there is no shame at all at getting help from a professional.
"Years ago, there was such a stigma around mental health and keeping it inside isn’t good for anyone," he said. "Mental health is a big part of healing, and I can’t say enough good things about the great mental health professionals that I have worked with and it’s made a world of difference.”
The B.C. naturalist says getting back into nature and taking some time to “recognize that you are on Mother Earth” allows you to become grounded and “we are a part of nature” and that he feels so at home when hiking and exploring.
Co-sponsors of the Hike for the Cure, Wells Gray Adventures (WGA), will be donating the proceeds of the two fundraising trips that are already fully booked into their Trophy Mountain Chalets in Wells Gray Park.
Owner of Wells Gray Adventures, Tay Briggs told Black Press, “Frank’s family has a long history in the Fight Meadow and Table Mountain areas of Wells Gray Park. When we started Wells Gray Adventures almost 40 years ago, we re-established a trail used by Frank’s grandfather, an early guide in Wells Gray, when designing the Wells Gray traverse.
Frank has guided for WGA many times over the years and has offered a unique, funny, and inspirational perspective on the park to everyone who is lucky enough to join him. We were honoured to be asked to partner with him to help raise money for cancer research. We are looking forward to hosting the ‘Hike for the Cure’ participants and supporting Frank’s vision. Good fun and a good cause. It’s a win win,” she said.
Even though these first two hikes into the Trophy Mountain Chalet’s sponsored by WGA and guided by Ritcey are fully subscribed on August 21 to the 24 and the second on August 28 through the 30, Ritcey urges people to follow the Hike for the Cure Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1751735525382247/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT or the website: https://fundraisemyway.cancer.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=12983
“Every dollar raised helps, and I hope to see you and your friends out on the trail hiking for the cure," he said.
