Unleashing the Wild: Sweden's Modern-Day Pioneer, Dave King

In the face of extreme temperatures and challenging landscapes, Dave's steadfast values and his ability to walk the delicately balanced line between humanity and nature make him an interesting character. Acknowledging the gradual separation from commonplace experiences that living in the woods has brought about, he was excited to become an &SONS Pioneer.

As we step into Dave's world, we encounter a man whose life echoes the pioneers of the past whilst creating his own, modern version of the idea. As a seasoned Alaskan Arctic guide now anchored in the heart of North Sweden we couldn’t wait to learn more about his way of life.

Well, there's a conventional definition, people who were the last frontiers and forging out across the great west as miners and trappers. When I first moved to Alaska, this was very prominent, I was very much aware that it wasn't that long ago that the people who inhabited that state were true pioneers. 

I think in the modern era, pioneering can be so many things and for me, pioneering is more in my head than it is physically. I find the mental challenges of what I see and the changes in the world around me, reconciling with the changes in natural environment that I've grown up is quite difficult. The modern pioneer is finding ways to properly understand that. 

I like to create things and I love building. I've built part of my own home, I've built log cabins in Alaska and I've built boats. I think being creative is just a part of living. We create our environment and we create our lives around our imagination. So I guess that would be about my creative, creative process. 

My inspiration comes from just going outside. Every time I step out into the mountains or paddle down a river - all of it. It's inspiring to be alive, particularly living closely with another species, animals for me are the greatest inspiration. 

That could be a long list and it would depend on the day. Back to the original question of pioneers, the people that inspire me are people who've not been afraid to reach out beyond their boundaries, whether there are physical boundaries, geographical boundaries or mental boundaries. But anyone who stands up for rights and equality and fairness, those are the people who inspire me. It would be really difficult to pick one single individual. 

It's getting outside and being in the outdoors and with my animals again. Without that, I think I would not be the same person. Just being alive in the natural world is what balances my mental health and keeps me sane. 

My favourite playlist is just listening to the environment that I live in. I love listening to the birds, to the wind, to rain on the roof. I like listening to my animals. If I had to make a playlist, I think it would be quite an extensive playlist of all of those kinds of sounds.

I'm not a real podcast listener. I live out in the woods and when I'm presented with questions like this, I realise that over the years I’ve become separated from a lot of the things that are normal for many other people. If I had to choose it probably would be something like BBC News. I do like to keep somewhat appraised of what's going on in the world outside where I live. 

To keep up with Dave's life on Instagram here

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