Application to test Golite Feather by Josh Cormier

Here go's my first application.

Please accept my application for the privilege of testing the Golite 
Feather. I Josh Cormier have read and agree to comply with the report 
requirements stated in chapter 5 of the BackpackGearTest Survival Guide v. 
1202.

Personal biographical information:
·       Name:  Josh Cormier
·       Age: 25
·       Gender: Male
·       Height: 5? 11? (1.80 m)
·       Weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
·       Email address:  swifteagle1 at hotmail dot com
·       City: Los Gatos, California
·       Date: 15-Sept-05

Backpacking background:
I joined the Boy Scouts when I was 11 and have been camping and backpacking 
ever since. I like to do challenging trips ranging from week long to weekend 
in mountainous areas. I would classify my gear as mid weight although now I 
am trying to move more toward lightweight. I now go backpacking at least 
once a year in the Sierra Nevada Mountains as well as monthly car camping 
trips with the Scouts.

Field information:
The locations I have chosen to test the gear in will be many different 
areas. The first area will be the Santa Cruz Mountains, elevation 500 ? 
1,200 ft. The climate here is foggy at night, warm during the day, and when 
it rains it pours. The terrain is mostly brushy with some trees and more 
dirt than rocks. The temperatures found here can be expected to range from 
45 ? 100 deg F depending on the season.
I camp with the Boy Scouts up to 11 times a year in differing locations. 
Each of these campouts consists of two nights of camping in various places. 
We camp rain or shine, so this should give me a good all around testing of 
the Golite Feather. The great testing weather we normally encounter is moist 
air, fog, cold nights, and occasionally rain. The places we usually camp 
include redwood forests, grassy meadows, and ocean front campsites. The 
temperatures found here can range from 35 ? 90 deg F
The other area will be the much-loved Sierra Nevada Mountains, elevation 
3,000 ? 10,000 ft. The climate here varies from hour to hour, expect fog, 
rain, hail, snow, wind, and warm sunny days. The terrain is all, mountainous 
with many trees and lots of granite.
The temperatures found here can range from 20 deg F in the winter to 95 deg 
F in the summer.
My main method of hiking is mid weight leaning toward the light side. I like 
to use tents and all the necessary gear, but I get the lightest stuff I can. 
As of now I use a 7 lb sleeping bag that is rated down to ?15 deg F. I would 
like to see how this lightweight bag compares.
My test plan:
I plan on testing the gear based on several different objectives. First and 
most importantly is dependability, does the gear work when it counts. 
Secondly is efficiency, does the gear do its job well. Lastly would be ease 
of use, is the gear easy to put together and easy to use.
Dependability:
Does the bag show signs of wear early on?
Is it easy to snag the shell?
Do the seams hold well?
Does the zipper get stuck or zip in the sleeping bag material?
Does the bag fluff consistently after each use?
Is the sleeping bag material resistant to the dirt and oils of a body in the 
woods all day?
Is the stuff sack strong enough to withstand the pressure of packing the bag 
without ripping a seam?
Is the stuff sack durable enough to withstand some abuse while protecting 
the bag?

Efficiency:
Does the bag provide enough warmth for its weight?
Is the bag sized for a person without having wasted space?
Are there features on the bag that are unused or unnecessary?
Are there features that would improve the efficiency of the bag?
Do the draft tubes improve warmth and protect all the open areas?
Does the bag allow moisture to escape while protecting from outside 
moisture?
Is the bag resistant to tent condensation, especially at the foot and head 
areas?

Ease of Use:
Is it easy to put the bag back in the stuff sack, or does it become a 
wrestling match?
Does the packed bag compress small enough to conveniently fit inside your 
pack?

Size:
I like all my sleeping bags I bit roomy and I am almost 6? tall, so I use a 
regular long.
Other measurements: Shoulders ? 21?(width), Waist ? 16?(width)


Previously written reports:

Owner Reviews:

Katadyn Hiker Water Filter (August 28, 2005)
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Water%20Treatment/Filters/Katadyn%20Hiker%20Water%20Filter/Owner%20Review%20by%20Josh%20Cormier/Owner%20Review%20by%20Josh%20Cormier/

MSR Whisperlite Internationale (September 13, 2005)
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Cook%20Gear/Stoves/MSR%20Whisperlite%20Internationale/Owner%20Review%20by%20Josh%20Cormier/


Thank you for your consideration,
Josh Cormier







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