Are pants really necessary on the PCT?

Hence why I wear the dorky sun hat and long sleeves and said take the sun screen to be sure. ;)

But, please, I need more righteous posting. :D

You know about tecnu, right? I would plan on carrying plenty considering your sensitivity to posion oak.

Do you want to increase your chances of getting skin cancer?

If yes, wear shorts.

If no, wear pants.

That's my take. I live in AZ and always hike in long pants, long sleeves, sun gloves, and a hat. I manage to stay cool just fine. As Jeffrey mentioned above, do some research. Here's a quick blurb:

http://healthland.time.com/2009/08/05/does-sunscreen-really-prevent-skin-cancer/

If you are using a tarp rather than an enclosed shelter in OR and WA, you will be glad to have some bug-proof pants.

Paul, I wasn't actually responding to your post; mine just happened to follow yours. Sorry if I seemed peeved; I wasn't. I was just adding a general comment. But I admit that I get on my high horse about sun exposure.