I awaken beside my favorite high country trout lake.  It’s 
August.  The temperature is 41*.  I’m in my 40* MOB complete 
bag.  I unzip both sides of the upper section, partially, 
and slip my arms out.  Start the fire in my small woodstove 
in my SuperTarp/Annex shelter and put coffee and water on 
top.  Slip my arms back inside and contemplate the day ahead 
as the shelter warms and breakfast heats.  Waiting ‘til the 
tent is cozy before exposing any part of my savvy hide.  

Minutes later I poke the arms back out, slide my field chair 
into position, and sit up.  Undo the Annex door and watch 
the lake for fish whilst having breakfast.  Still in my MOB 
against the chill from the open door...only my arms are 
outside it’s warming goodness.  Pull ‘em back inside between 
sips/bites.  Looking to see if the trout are rising.  

They are!  I wolf down the remainder of breakfast, unzip the 
foot section of the MOB, slip on my camp shoes, grab my pole 
and head down to water’s edge.  Sit on my favorite casting 
boulder.  The boulder is cold, but the mid section of the 
MOB insulates my backside, no worries.  Life is good.  So is 
the fishing.



I spend the rest of the day hiking to higher lakes.  Base 
camp stays put.  The wind is up and it’s cool and gray, so 
I’m wearing the upper section still.  The mid section is in 
my pack if it gets any cooler/windier than it already is.  I 
spend the windy cool day fishing the higher lakes.  Come 
evening I’m cooking fish back at base camp.  Still wearing 
the upper section because the tent is open wide for sunset 
watching.  I’ve zipped on the mid section again.  

After supper I read in the field chair and watch stars as 
they appear.  Eventually, the words begin to blur.  It’s 
bedtime.  I zip on the foot section and lay myself down to 
sleep.  In the morning I’ll move along.  My kit is light.  
I’ve left parka and wind pants at home.  Formerly a single 
purpose item of gear, my new sleeping bag is an MOB, and 
it’s serving double duty-- covering their functions now.  
Better, in fact.   I’m moving lighter and freer than ever 
before.  Life is good indeed.