Mountaineer of the Week: Carl Harrington

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to...

Name: Carl Harrington (he/him)
Branch: Seattle
How long have you been volunteering with The Mountaineers?  Since 2006
What activities do you volunteer with at The Mountaineers? Seattle Sailing Committee

10 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO THE MOUNTAINEERS?

I was seeking new friends with interests in the outdoors.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?

A few years back, I took a crew of "rookies" on board to do one of the Tuesday night Duck Dodge races. It was a bit chaotic, and we missed the finish line and had to double back, but it was a real blast to work and try something new together.

What is one thing you do as a leader to make your participants feel welcome?

I try to let everyone know that with something like sailing, it is a journey, not a destination. You'll always be learning something new, and so will I! There are ways to adapt to any challenge, and finding them is part of the fun.

What is one surprising thing you've learned through volunteering with The Mountaineers?

How many people don't get much exposure to the great waters we have in the Pacific Northwest. For many, it is their first time really heading out on a small boat, less that a Washington State Ferry! But everyone marvels at the beauty around us.

What advice do you have for aspiring volunteers?

Be patient with yourself as much as with those you are helping. Try to see the skills from their perspective. Let the student's make errors (as long as it is not dangerous!) so they can learn a skill on their own. Constant correction prevents them from understanding consequences or seeing the logic of the proper method. Also, remember, any challenging situation will probably make a great story afterwards!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset
Smile or Game Face? Smile
What's your 11th essential? Limes (to keep the scurvy away)
What's your favorite close-to-home adventure? Sailing to Kingston for lunch, karaoke, and/or crepes
What's next on your bucket list? Cross the Equator and become a Shellback

NOMINATE YOURSELF FOR MOUNTAINEER OF THE WEEK

Mountaineers volunteers come in all shapes and sizes, varying widely in age, outdoor experience, and length of time involved in The Mountaineers. Part of what makes our community so unique is the broad diversity of our leadership, and we hope these weekly features highlight how our trip leaders, course instructors, and committee and branch officers support our community. We are always seeking self-nominations for our Mountaineer of the Week, and we invite you to share your story. Trust us, we want to hear from you!

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES

If you’re a leader (or want to nominate a leader to spotlight), send an email to Michelle Song to make a recommendation.