[pct-l] Sunscreen on the Trail

[Jim & Jane Moody]

Claire, 

You will definitely need sunscreen, and not just in So Cal.  Depending on your clothing and hat (e.g., shorts or long pants, short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt, hat with brim), you'll need less or more sunscreen.  



Where you will need it the most, however, is in the Sierra, on snow.  Day after day, you'll be hiking on snow under bright, clear sunny skies.  The reflection will burn you faster than the direct sunlight, because it'll hit you where your skin is not already tanned - under your chin, lo wer parts of ears and nose, under your hat brim, etc.  In 2010 the worst sunburn I got (peeling skin) was on the underside of my nose, between the nostril openings, the one place I forgot to "lather up" just one day.  



Also, find a really high SPF lip cream - SPF 50 or higher, and use it frequently in the Sierra.  As you get out of the snow and into the woods in No Cal and Oregon, the need is reduced but not eliminated. 



As a sidebar, one way to identify a thru-hiker in town (besides smell and homeless apearance) is to look at the back of the hands, where the wrist straps on the trekking poles reduce exposure to sun burn.  The light di agonal swath is a sure giveaway. 



Good luck, 

Mango  



----- Original Message -----


From: "Claire Persichetti" <c.e.persichetti at gmail.com> 
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 6:07:58 PM 
Subject: [pct-l] Sunscreen on the Trail 

Hey everyone, 

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on the necessity of carrying and using 
sunscreen throughout the trail. Should I expect to use it just in the 
desert section or count on using it the entire length of the PCT? As a 
non-sunscreen wearer in general, my inclination is to just pack some for 
southern California, but I'm curious what others have had luck with in 
terms of sun protection. 

Thanks! 

Claire 
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