Get a Mountain Tan, not a Mountain Sunburn: 3 Do’s & Don’ts

Mountain Tan versus Mountain Sunburn

Does altitude affect sunburn and tanning?  Yes.  Can you get a sunburn while you’re on the mountain?  Yes.  Will you get a mountain tan, and avoid a mountain sunburn after reading this article?  Tanny sure hopes so.  In order to understand the what a mountain tan is, you must first understand what it is not.  A mountain tan does not involve overexposure to the sun, resulting in red, sun damaged skin.  It does, however, involve some tactical skin exposure while you hike so that your skin generates melanin slowly, while avoiding sunburn.

Not into reading much?  Then watch Tanny Mangino dole out the sun safety advice, on location at the Linville Gorge, located in North Carolina in the video below.

Do’s of Tanning in the Mountains

1. Do – cover up with sun protective clothing and headwear in high altitudes.  Pack some pants, long sleeve shirts, and a balaclava (aka a facemask) for you journey, particularly if you’re expecting snow or are planning on hiking above the treeline on your trip.  Remember, UV exposure increases by 10% for every 3,280 feet in altitude, increasing your chances of getting a sunburn.
2. Do – Remove clothing for tanning only when at lower elevations and not surrounded by trees or other brush.   See a nice rock outcropping in a crystal clear stream?  Well do like Tanny’s pal Noosani does, and take off that shirt to get a little base tan.  Don’t ever take clothing off while hiking in areas with trees or other brush.   A great tan is not worth getting Lyme disease from a tick, bites from mosquitos, or exposing yourself to abrasions from rocks and branches.
3. Do – remember to bring sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes against high intensity UV rays.  If you’re in the mountains without sunglasses or a hat, then you’ve made a mistake.  Snow, streams, and lakes are a few of the reflective surfaces you are likely to encounter in the mountains.  These surfaces will reflect light back at your face and skin from the surface, so ensure you protect yourself from both above and below.

Don’ts of Tanning in the Mountains

1. Don’t – assume you won’t need sunscreen if it’s cold or cloudy out.  It’s common knowledge that you can still get a sunburn while it’s cloudy out.  However, sometimes people lose their common sense when it’s cold and cloudy out, rationalizing to themselves that the sun must not be that strong.  Don’t fall into this trap or else you might end up with a nasty sunburn after a day in the mountains.  Consider protecting your face with a waxy sunscreen stick like the Sun Bum SPF 30 Face Stick.
2. Don’t – attempt to tan for a prolonged period in the mountains.  There is no such thing as a safe tan.  Your skin is producing melanin to protect itself against further damage from the sun’s UV rays.  However, do you know what’s worse than a tan?  A sunburn.  So never attempt to tan for a prolonged period of time in the mountains, since your likelihood of sunburn increases with prolonged sun exposure.
3. Don’t – assume your sunscreen acts as a bear or insect repellent.  While there is sunscreen combined with insect repellant, there is no known sunscreen that acts as a bear repellent.  Also, if your sunscreen is scented, make sure to pack it away in your bear bag overnight so the smell does not attract any furry friends to your tent.

Now that you know the do’s and the don’ts for achieving a mountain tan, go out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Sincerely,

Tanny Mangino