I started backpacking in the early 1970s as a Boy Scout in Minnesota and Texas. After many years and miles I still enjoy nothing more than getting out.

Whether it is winter in North Dakota, spring in the Canyon Lands of Utah, 6 days of rain in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota, or spending a weekend of casual car camping with the family nothing really compares.

I usually try to get out for a weekend once each month with one-week trips in the Spring and Fall. My packing tendencies lean toward the ultralight philosophy. I prefer backcountry and solitude.

Product information:

	Manufacturer:	Marmot
	Year of manufacture:	n/a, purchased in 2004
	Website:	www.marmot.com
	Listed weight:	2 lb 12 oz (1.36 kg)
	Weight as delivered:	2 lb 14 oz (1.42 kg) (including 1.9 oz (54 g) stuff sack)
	Length:	6' (183 cm)
	Rated temperature:	15 F (-9 C)
	MSRP:	$309 USD

Product description:

The sleeping bag is of a mummy design constructed with an outer shell (on the bottom and sides) of Pertex-ChainLink XD NP-150R; a unique small ripstop type nylon weave and Gossamer Rip N-130R for the top and inner lining. To provide insulation the bag is filled with 800-fill goose down.

There are draft tubes that follow the zipper down the length of the bag to the foot and around the shoulders. On the draft tube protecting the full length zipper there is a small pocket near the hood that can be used to store small items such as a clock or watch.

There are two drawstrings made from elastic cord with friction locks to keep tension and settings once set. One drawstring circles around the front hood of the bag closing around the face, the other around the shoulder draft tube. The bag is well constructed with solid seams and great loft; 10" (25 cm) at the feet, 7" (18 cm) at the legs and 9" (23 cm) at the shoulders.

Both draw strings are accessible from the inside of the bag near the chin area of the hood on the side away from the zipper. The zipper pulls contain "glow in the dark" tabs. The bag can be purchased with left or right hand zippers and comes with a storage bag (uncompressed) and a stuff sack (compressed).

Field information:

	Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Minnesota) - Late October
	night time lows: 15 F (-9 C)
	daytime highs: 30 F (-1 C)
	light snow, 10 mph (16 kph) breeze
	slept under nylon fly on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
	The bag was laid pretty much open to the elements with only protection from falling snow. No other clothing was worn to augment the bag's insulating capabilities. Even though the temperature was hovering right at the bag's rated temperature I was actually too warm. I did not use the drawstrings this trip. Snow was blowing in under the fly as the wind came off the lake yet I did not feel any drafts from the zipper or seams.

	Sheyenne National Grasslands (North Dakota) - Mid-January
	night time lows: -15 F (-26 C)
	daytime highs: 5 F (-15 C)
	6" (15 cm) snow on ground and 3" (8 cm) fresh one night,
	10-15 mph (16-24 kph) breeze
	slept in tent on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
	Due to the significant difference in temperature I inserted a homemade fleece liner into the bag for added warmth and hoped for the best. I also cinched the drawstrings around the hood and shoulders to guard against the cold. In addition I wore my poly long underwear and socks for added warmth. Much to my surprise I needed to take both items off as my legs were sweating and my feet were warm.

	Maplewood State Forest (Minnesota) - Mid-February
	night time lows: -5 F (-21 C)
	daytime highs: 15 F (-9 C)
	24" (.61 m) snow on ground and 4" (10 cm) fresh one night,
	5-10 mph (8-16 kph) breeze
	slept under nylon fly on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
	Having arrived after dark I hastily set up the fly, fluffed the bag, had supper and went to bed. Again, due to the fact that the temperature was lower than the bag rating, I inserted the fleece liner. Having learned my lesson I wore no additional clothing for warmth, cinched the drawstrings and was warm all night. Being broad in the shoulders there is not a lot of "wiggle" room in the shoulder and chest area. With my arms at my side the bag is almost tight. The foot box has plenty of foot room as does the leg area. I usually sleep on my side and roll from side to side. With some bags this has resulted in becoming "one with the bag" in a big twisted knot. I did not have that problem with the Pinnacle. The bag "rolled" with me without binding or twisting. One issue that I encountered that I would believe similar with all down bags is the inability to insulate the user from the cold ground (or in this case snow). Two layers of nylon and 1/8" (4 mm) of compressed down quickly let me know that I have moved off the sleeping pad and am on snow and ice. The "glow in the dark" zipper tabs are nice when you first slide into the bag, however they require the use of a light to energize them to make them useful. Having both drawstrings located in close proximity on the same side is confusing in the dark as I would almost predictably tighten or loosen the wrong drawstring the first time I tried.

Summary:

I have used this bag in considerably colder weather than that for which it is rated and have been very happy with its ability to keep me warm. This is a testament to the bag's construction and attention to detail. The small compressed size and reasonable weight fits with my ultralight philosophy even in the winter. I would recommend this bag to anyone of my build or smaller. Width or length were not an issue for me but I would not recommend this bag to someone with a large upper body, as the fit might be tight. My bag does not have the additional DryLoft option so I cannot speak directly to the benefits of that feature.

It is a great bag and I look forward to wearing it out! May it take a long time!

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