Utah Climate and Equipment

In the mountains during summer months, days are warm and nights cold. Rainstorms are frequent in higher mountain passes. Travel should not be attempted at high altitudes earlier than June or later than October. Main highways are usually clear of snow in winter, but may be temporarily blocked during severe snowstorms. Visitors should dress for warm weather in summer (but should remember the cowboy dictum that light clothes are not always cool clothes in the desert). Modified cowboy garb is recommended for roughing it in the mountains and deserts, "Levi's" (bibless overalls), denim shirt, broad hat, sun glasses, a bandanna to keep out the sand and protect the neck from sunburn, cowboy or laced boots (oxfords are sand-catchers and do not protect the ankles from cacti and snakes), a jacket, sweater, or light coat for cool evenings, and gloves to protect the hands in climbing rocks and rustling firewood. Rubber or cord soles are best for climbing over "slickrocks." Well-advised tenderfeet keep shirt collars buttoned and sleeves rolled down, for the desert and high mountain sun burns unmercifully. Slicker or slicker-type poncho helps in case of mountain rains. Equipment for extended horseback or pack trips normally furnished by commercial packers.

Photography

Clarity of atmosphere at high altitudes throughout Utah makes the light much more intense than in humid areas, and actinic values of light are much higher. Visitors to the State would be wise to use a light meter before each shot, translating the reading always on the side of the faster shutter speeds and tighter aperture--a good rule also for those who take photos by the "peep and snap" method. Light values vary enormously from full-lighted to shaded spots. Use yellow filter for cloud effects. Slower types of film apt to give best results. Odd-size photographic film and color film are more readily obtainable in larger population centers.

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