I left the service with arctic survival school training. I entered university and my early outdoor field trips reflected an ultrapoor philosophy. We went to Anza-Boreggo and I nearly froze in a cheap sleeping bag. My next G.I. check came and I headed for the local ski shop. Sapphire blue and red were the hot colours. My salesman, and ultimately good friend had a single, puke green ARCTIC rated down bag he couldn't sell. I got it for 20% less than the 3 season bags. I sewed a canvas overbag that predated bivy sacks. Everybody laughed at my huge bag. Our next trip to Anza was met with a rare snowfall. 4 guys piled into a VW bug and slept sitting upright. I slept through it all and woke up with a desert mouse as companion. My latest sleeping system is universally condemned as too heavy and bulky compared to the industry average. My only regeret is not buying the prohibitively expensive german dachstein mountaineering sweater for the then high price of $120. I took my salesman up on another deal and bought a first generation Goretex anorak- and my last any generation goretex <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Some items can be rationally reduced in wieght. But until they sell dehydrated water I just remind myself what the NWMP demanded Klondikers haul up the Chilcooot Pass <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />.