[pct-l] Long Sleeves and Pants

[wayneskraft at comcast.net (Wayne Kraft)]

Late last summer I was ambling along the west slope of Mt. Hood  
through aptly named Paradise Park when I spied coming toward me along  
the mountain ash lined trail an incredibly fit looking couple about  
my age (50's).  They were attired head-to-toe in matching tan outfits  
including long pants, long sleeve shirts and tilley hats with their  
hiking shoes neatly protected by matching gaiters.  I glanced down at  
myself, noting my sweat stained t-shirt and well worn shorts, my bug  
bitten limbs, my brush scratched legs with the trickle of blood  
running down my shin and pooling at the top of my socks and then  
examined more closely the couple coming toward me. I had to admit  
they looked simply smashing. We exchanged weather-related inanities,  
after which they loped gracefully away at 3.2 mph and I scuttled off  
to find two trees suitable for hammocking.  I knew they would make it  
to Timberline Lodge for dinner where they would be perfectly  
presentable dining room patrons in their snazzy hiking clothes and  
would doubtless feast on lightly poached salmon, nicely steamed and  
seasoned fresh vegetables accompanied by an estimable bottle of  
chilled and flinty-dry chardonnay while I reconstituted my portion of  
powdered gruel.  Of course, they would not experience a glorious  
sunset and sit quietly while darkness settled over the meadow. They  
would not be rocked gently to sleep by a warm summer breeze.  They  
would not awaken with the small herd of deer who had shared the  
meadow this night.    Would I trade places with them for all the tea  
in Cathay?  Indeed not!  But I might be persuaded to trade clothes.

So, this encounter was brought to mind this evening as I wandered  
through the local REI store and spied the very garments I had coveted  
this summer.  Ex Officio Buzz Off Pants and matching long sleeved  
shirt.    Protection from mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, midges, no-see- 
ums, ants and other annoying and potentially threatening insects  
including those that may carry West Nile virus, Lyme Disease,  
Encephalitis, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever and Malaria plus 30 UPF sun  
protection.  Sounds almost reckless to go out of doors without such  
garment.  Hmmm.  I'm wondering:

1.  What do you all think of hiking in grown -up clothes: very light  
weight long sleeve shirts and pants?

2.  Has anyone an opinion on the Ex Officio wares or recommendations  
for other brands?

Thank you all.	

Wayne Kraft