Family, friends and co-workers are mourning the loss of a man described as a passionate outdoorsman who lived life to the fullest.
Search and rescue crews recovered the body of former Oak Bay parks official Mark Taylor on Tuesday, a week after he fell down a crevasse while skiing in Yoho National Park.
Taylor, who was the current parks manager for the City of Abbotsford, was on a five-day ski trip with his adult daughter and another man. He fell into the crevasse on the Wapta Traverse, located northeast of Golden on the B.C.-Alberta border, just before midnight on Tuesday, March 12 when the trio were caught in a blizzard on the B.C. side of the traverse.
As a staff member with Oak Bay parks and recreation department from 1983 to 1996, Taylor held many positions, including aquatic co-ordinator. He played an instrumental role in many parks initiatives, including the installation of an indoor waterslide at Oak Bay Recreation Centre – the first in B.C.
“His enthusiasm, energy and passion contributed greatly to the success of the department,” said current parks and recreation director Ray Herman.
Continuing harsh weather prevented rescue crews from reaching Taylor until this week.
- with files from Black Press