One of the many things people let pass them by are those things right in front of them, missing an appreciation for the simple things in life. Years ago when Carson visited China for the first time he stayed with relatives. They lived in a high-rise apartment building with a row house layout where the unit went straight back from the front door to the rear room. It was an eye-opener for someone visiting from a free western culture.
Here's a description of what he experienced: "The layout in this row house design was the first room was the kitchen that was off to left in middle of hall, next came the bed against the wall in the hallway, then another just beyond it, and then the one small bedroom which I didn't check out. What did I miss? Where's the bathroom? Well in those days they used shared outhouses.
Can you imagine outhouses used by multi-story apartment building residents? But then where is the shower? This should resolve your curiosity while addressing both the bathroom and shower issues. In the kitchen against the left wall, opposite the antique four-burner stove was a tiled area about 4' square. I had just noticed there was a rod attached to the wall that went around paralleling the squared-off tiles on the floor that formed a buttress or 3" inch high lip. I was told if you have to go, here's the jug you bring in there with you. If you need to shower just pull the curtain around you and connect this shower caddy to the wall attachment.
I am sure there are way more primitive facilities in the countryside, in Africa, or in South America, but this is what I experienced with a degree of culture shock. What is really important about this scenario is that three generations were living in there together.. and they were okay with what they had. What? Yes, well they were very happy to have running water. Mind you, how happy someone can be just to have running water and electricity?"
You can imagine when you shed yourself of material needs in exchange for those things that make life a little easier, and you are happier than a pig in mud you will understand what it is like to live a life not being owned by others or in fear of not having enough. Carson has paid it forward and carried this message to the many people he has presented and connected to. Not specifically about the life of these individuals but what life is like when you control your own destiny, do what you are passionate about, and be free of needs that are anchored to be doing things you are not passionate about just to pay for not so helpful means.
Carson is also an outdoor adventure leader and organizer who has led astounding adventures into China, the Canadian Rockies, Hawaii, and throughout North America such as Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Forest, Sedona, Zion, Bryce, Escalante, Grand Staircase, Acadia, the Presidential Mountains, the Maine woods, Paria Canyon, Goblin Valley, Colorado National Park (and Monument), Oakdale, and more.
His passion for the outdoors is feeling a connection to nature and being at ease with the wildlife that runs free and unrestricted in these areas. He has had up close encounters with Bear, Moose, Elk, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Dahl Sheep, Marmot, Deer, various snakes, Pika, Wolverine, Wolves, Coyote, Foxes, Skunks, Porcupines, Possum, Racoon, Lynx, and a host of other furry and not so furry critters (Bald and Golden Eagles, Turkey and Black Vultures, Hawks, Falcons, Osprey, Kestrels, Swallows, etc.) on his hikes. He invites anyone who has an affinity for nature and the outdoors to join him. The hikes are casual, socially lively, sometimes challenging, and always on the lookout for interesting signs of nature and wildlife (including geology).
Carson has been certified in:
- Wilderness First Aid
- Advanced Wilderness First Aid
- American First Aid
- CPR, and
- Certified in lead rock climbing.
He also was:
- Involved in various roles in a 110,000 member educational, environmental and outdoor recreation national 501C(3) non-profit
- Chairman (Seven person Board, 24 Committees, and 2,000 volunteer leaders)
- Vice-Chair of the New York-North Jersey Chapter.
- Producer and Director for Fall Gathering
- Producer and Director for Spring Gathering
- Producer for Annual Meetings
- Creator and director of Leadership Training courses for other leaders (train the trainer)
- Creator and presenter workshops on map, compass, and trail navigation
- Chair of Singles & Sociables
- Chair of the Hikes Committee (600 leaders)
- Creator and Chair of the Leadership Committee (Eight trainers)
- Creator and Chair of the Web Committee (six programmers/developers - Drupal)
- Major Excursion Leader
- Inter-Chapter Excursion Leader
- August Camp Leader
Carson reduced costs to a single event by $100,000 for the Oyster Festival and as inherent with working with committees had to source multiple suppliers and resources last minute to deliver for a highly complex and multifaceted event where most typical suppliers would decline on such short notice.
He was able to reduce a two-year budget deficit of $20,000 annually to an $800 surplus in a single year once he became Chair. Because of his vision to keep things simple and understandable to all members, the development of a four-character universal hike code was created and was adopted by other Chapters throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. As of 2017 Carson has organized and led over 700 adventure trips and day hikes with 95% of those having little or no rain, over the course of 20 years.
His experience with other non-profits includes being the outdoor trainer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as an outdoor leader for the 92nd Street Y, and Makor. Carson has been organizing and leading outdoor adventure hiking and cultural immersions for the past 20 years.
From time to time, you will see him presenting various workshops on travel and outdoor logistics, planning, and preparedness at retail and institutional locations. He is also a former Alpine Ski Instructor and as a former backpacker.
When Carson is not hiking he is involved in a plethora of other philanthropic/volunteer initiatives while serving on boards/committees of non-profits including the 501C(3) non-profit: Coalition of Asian/Pacific Americans.
You can connect with Carson Tang on Facebook, and at A Hike Through Life, where he has created a live space for those passioinate about day hikes, outdoor adventure travel, and cultural immersion to connect and gather at the many events and trips he creates for the community.
If you wonder how he is able to do so much .. it is because he is passionate about living every moment not vicariously through others but by getting out there and experiencing the magic moments first hand. You know all of us won't live forever and Carson demonstrates to himself that you don't have to wait for others to ask you to join, but you have the power to ignite your life and run like Forest Gump and not run on empty as your soul seeks to be rejuvenated.
Other areas of Carson's interest is conceptualizing and producing large scale events such as his Empowerment Retreats, Conferences, Business Expos, Cultural, Holistic Health and Music Festivals, Conventions of Science Fiction and Fantasy, and much more.
He is a down to earth people person who over delivers, lives by his word, and is an inspiration to his friends, fans, and teams that look to him for leadership, guidance, and inspiration.
Carson's volunteer activities:
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Lead Trainer 501(3)C
Appalachian Mountain Club - Board & Committee Chair 501(3)C
Village Halloween Parade - Marshal 501(3)C
Anthony Robbins Companies - Production Stage, Fireteam and Various
Peak Potentials - A/V and Various
Friday Softball League - Administrator and Coordinator
