Nothing can ruin your dream vacation like a bad sunburn. Not to mention the long-term effects associated with that kind of skin damage. If you are going on a river trip, then you will be exposed to the elements for anywhere from a day to a couple of weeks so you should plan accordingly. Your river guides spend all summer being bombarded by solar radiation, so if you should need advice or an example of how to deal with the elements look no further. Having guided the rivers here in Dinosaur National Monument and the local Vernal, Utah area for many years I have gained some valuable insight into sun protection when out in the elements adventuring on these amazing white water rivers.
The iconic image of a river guide may be a bronzed scantily clad emissary of the sun, and it is true that with so much exposure to the sun you will inevitably brown and get some nice tan lines, but I for one am vigilant with applying and reapplying sunscreen. I use stronger stuff, usually SPF 30 at least. Look for the multi spectrum coverage, preferably non-greasy and water resistant. Since its going on my precious skin I also try to go for natural ingredients and therefor end up spending a little more for what I want, but I’m worth it. Goodhouse Keeping put together a great list of the 11 best natural sunscreens for 2019 take a look at their top choices. Besides nice sunscreen I like to use lip balm with an SPF rating as well. I keep it close and use it a lot.
Your vestments are your most reliable protection from the sun. This is your armor. I like to wear long sleeves, with a collar I can pop up to keep the sun off my neck, and to look good. This is a business casual ensemble however, with swim shorts and sandals being the lower half. Just remember to lotion up the bare legs and feet. Pants made from quick drying fabrics provide a nice break from the sun, when it’s not too hot. I have also been known to wear leggings for the same purpose. Fashion and function. A sarong is another great clothing option for covering the legs and it can double as a beach blanket, light sheet or a warming layer when it cools down a little bit. Our friends at North West River supply have a great collection of river guide approved clothing for sun protection.
For the love of your face, don’t forget to take a hat. Maybe take two or three. You don’t want to be without a hat, and it is a real bummer to lose your only one to the river. I like to wear a big straw hat most of the time. Its full wide brim protects more angles covering my face and neck. Tula Hats make some great wide brimmed sun hats in many styles, they are also tough I have worn my almost daily for several summer now. Besides my Huck Finn topper I also take a baseball cap or two. You must remember that the sun is also hitting you from below as it reflects off the water, so I might also wear a buff or bandana around my neck pulled over my ears. Another great tool to have in your box is to have a sun hoodie. They provide great coverage, work well with ball caps, and they look and feel good.
Now that our skin is covered let’s not forget to shade the all-important windows. Sunglasses are crucial to your protected persona. The list of benefits is long. They make you look good, they cut down on glare making it easier to see the beautiful landscape that you find yourself in, they reduce eye fatigue and the chance of headaches and they decrease your risk for future vision and eye health issues. Did I mention they make you look good? The best part is that you don’t necessarily have to break the bank on nice shades as you can find good polarized lenses almost anywhere. This is also good because sunglasses are another item that you may want to plan for redundancies, lest you lose or break your first pair.
Now if you have taken this advice you should be doing well, but there are a couple of other tricks to give you an edge in minimizing your solar exposure. Seek shade when possible. Lounge under a tree or prepare lunch beneath an overhung cliff. If space allows then bring a beach umbrella or a shade canopy. You could always hide in your tent at a layover camp but in the summer, this could be a place of stifling heat. Instead, carry in your kit a small sheet or piece of cloth that you can cover up with and wet when it is hot this is where that sarong comes in handy.
Your skin is precious. It does well to protect you from threats to your health and comfort, but it needs your help. You must do your part to take care of it and it will continue to take care of you. You’ll be able to enjoy your dream vacation down the river without the discomfort of a sun burn and you’ll be able to enjoy the peace of mind that your long-term health will see you through many more adventures down the river and around the sun.
We look forward to seeing you on the river.
