[pct-l] Major Announcement -- Gear Change

[hiker97 at aol.com]

Yes, after many years of recommending a trail umbrella, I now recommend instead the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat.

You ask, why have you done this Switchback?  Why have you pulled the rug from underneath us at the start of the hiking season?  Good questions.  Here are some of my reasons for this big, big change.

--- simpler to use a large hat than an umbrella
--- weighs only 3 ounces and saves big time ounces over an umbrella
--- super comfortable with various sizes
--- unique design for maximum protection, coverage is still excellent
--- more likely to use, can wear hat in more places for protection, like trailtowns, etc.---
--- UPF 50+ sun protection  
--- umbrellas and hats are all most exclusively used for sun protection, the hat designed for sun
--- hat used inconjunction with your SunPrecautions long sleeve shirt is a great combination
--- hat has cord to keep it on your head in wind, nice feature
--- hat can be treated with water repellant to give you rain protection too
--- in rain an umbrella only gives you protection from shoulders on up, you still need a rain jacket
--- hat looks cool and in keeping with your fashion-plate mountainman-mountainwoman persona
--- probably provides you with the same dehydration protection as the umbrella
--- easy to soak in a stream for some cooling
--- many colors to choose from, but I recommend either white or cream

Yes, I know this is a big change right at the start of the hiking season and now you have buy another piece of gear for the trail.  My humble apologies, but Switchback is here to make your hike simple, safe, and enjoyable.  Remember, I now recommend the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat and the SunPrecautions Ultra Athlete Full Zip Shirt .

I thank you --- your obedient servant and trail rapscallion,

Switchback the Trail Pirate