My North Face bivy (Thanks Ron!) on its first overnight in the mountains. It's a warm and comfortable way to spend the night, but as Ron reminded me before I bought it from him, it pays to be sure where it is on a dark night before you wander off to hang out at the campfire. My pack weight, which used to nearly always be in the 45/50 lb. range, drops to about 25 when I carry the bivy, a goosedown bag, titanium cookware. The Granite Gear Stratus Latitude pack trims quite a bit of weight away too, but still allows about 4,800 cubic inches of 'stuff' room.

Below, Good Dog joins me for breakfast and a spot in the warm sunshine. He's getting old and grey, but still loves the trail. Gretch nearly had to drag him off of the mountaintop - he didn't want to leave.