[pct-l] Shade

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I did not have an umbrella for So Cal, but I found an umbrella in the  
trash in Kennedy Meadows. I tried it out and man I had wished I had  
had one all along. The sun just seared into me in 2008 and it was so  
nice to finally feel like I was out of it. It wasn't as cool under  
the brim as I had hoped, but it did take some of the searing effect  
off. I ended up brining that umbrella with me in 09 on my hike from  
Santa Barbara to Canada. I had a chance to use it from Hikertown  
north and it was great, but mostly because in 09 it rained on me all  
through the desert. In high winds it sometimes blew inside out but it  
would pop back. I'd hold it with my hands. I used shock cord to  
attach it to my shoulder strap so it would be hands-free. Later it  
was useful in Washington when it rained all the time. However, in  
Washington unless the rain is actually coming down from above, it  
provides little value. It seems like the rain in Washington comes  
from all directions, and from all those wet plants smacking me in the  
face. The only dry spot was the top of my head, yet I unfurled that  
thing and walked under the canopy across half the state. Another drag  
about it is you can't see very well in front of you if you're really  
under the canopy like I would be. I had the spines pretty much right  
against my head.

On Mar 3, 2012, at 8:13 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Yeah Ed,
>
> That was part of the reason that I asked. In '06 'everyone' had an
> umbrella, yet each year I see fewer and fewer. So was it a fad? Not  
> all
> fads lack usefulness...my pet rock is still my best friend...
>
> jackass