[pct-l] What is a PCT Ambassador?

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I don't have a concise blurb, but the whole issue reminds me of a  
study I read about the impact of having so many choices in our  
consumer culture. One of the impacts is that too many choices makes  
deciding on something very difficult. The amount of research that  
goes into making a choice makes us feel we have to make a perfect  
choice, which then raises the expectations to unrealistic levels. The  
result is that we always feel disappointed.

I see this attitude expressed from time-to-time on various hiking  
boards and by hikers on the trail and it always bristles. Someone  
will go on and on about how such-and-such establishment or business  
has crappy service or products because of some disappointment that  
happened. Very often what happened had to do with expectations and a  
desire for a level of perfection that may be extremely difficult for  
a small company out in the sticks to meet.

One thing I treasured about my PCT experience was living for 6 months  
outside the consumer society. Letting go of all of that. I was happy  
to go to small towns and experience the quirks that small businesses  
have to offer. Whatever quirks or disappointments were more than made  
up for with serendipitous magic that happened throughout the trail.

I do wish that the person who lost their gear in WS would focus more  
on the magic of how it was replaced than the mistake that happened.

Diane

On Apr 25, 2011, at 4:37 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> After reading the Warner Springs thread....
>
> Does anyone know of a concise or articulate blurb concerning what a
> "PCT Ambassador" is or should be?
>
> If so and you're willing to share, it will find its way on the main
> page of postholer site.
>
> -postholer