[pct-l] RE: hiker tan

[bodhisattvavow at hotmail.com (Hotmail)]

I agree with Marion about the use of long clothing.  Whaile it may seem
counter intuitive long clothing is actually cooler in the desert.  It is
critical for it to be breathable however.  Some desert experts reccommend
cotton for desert travel although i don't think this would be appropriate
for the PCT in spring.  Desert dwelling people have worn long clothing for
thousands of years.  Long sleeves not only protect your skin but they also
retain moisture just a but longer.  In arid conditions sweat evaporates too
fast to effectively cool the body so by retaining it near the skin just a
little longer it makes your body's cooling mechanism function more
efficently.  It will also reduce your body's water loss for the same reason.
Peace and Love,
Matt
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion Davison" <mardav@charter.net>
To: "PCT List" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2006 8:53 PM
Subject: [pct-l] RE: hiker tan


> When we hike we go against the prevailing hiker's clothing norms.  We
> see most people hiking in shorts and short sleeve shirts.
> We always hike in long pants and long sleeve shirts.  Ray is blond and
> blue eyed and has had several bouts with minor skin cancers.  So we are
> quite concerned about preventing sun exposure.  The long sleeves/long
> pants also help ward off mosquitoes and ticks, poison oak and scratches
> from chaparral.
> For hot desert hiking we wear lightweight baggy cotton shirts and
> pants.  For high elevation hiking we wear voluminous silk shirts and
> baggy nylon hiking pants.
> We get all of our clothing at thrift stores.  Silk shirts are
> great--they let the breeeze through, dry very quickly, and are really
> baggy so most bugs don't get us.  But they are not at all durable so we
> take about four for a month long trip and they are all shredded by the
> end.  The armpits go first, then any area that's under a strap.  Solid
> color ones last longer than prints.  Seems as if the process of creating
> a print weakens the fabric.  When we send ourselves resupplies we always
> include a couple of extra silk shirts.
> With this outfit I only need sunscreen on my nose and cheeks and backs
> of hands.  I like to use the stick roll-on type sunscreen so that I
> don't get my dirty hands all greasy. There are several sunscreen sticks
> that are made specifically for the face.   (A llama packer's hands are
> always dirty as llamas love to roll in the dirt).
>  I only need to apply deet to my ankles, the backs of my hands, the back
> of my neck, and under my chin and on the brim of my hiking hat.  If the
> bugs are really bad I also spray my shoulders and keep a bug head net
> handy.
> Ray has also hiked in poly-cotton dress shirts.  My number one concern
> with hiking in a long sleeve shirt is that it lets the breeze thru so I
> don't overheat.  There is probably a good durable nylon shirt out there
> that does the trick but I haven't tried any.  I'm sure I won't find any
> at the thrift store.  I am concerned that nylon would be too tight a
> weave and would hold in all my body heat.
> Last year I asked the list what I should wear for gaiters, as my ankles
> are subject to heat rash and I couldn't wear conventional nylon
> gaiters.  I am very pleased to report that the "trailman" gaiters that
> were recommended did the trick for me.  They are made of some kind of
> super stretchy jersey-like material and didn't give me any heat rash.
> Marion
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