I did not record a full gear list for this trip, but I did learn a couple of interesting things. This trip returned to the exact same area that I visited just a week before. I camped not quite so far down the trail, at about 8000 feet, on a saddle in the pines, with very mild breezes. Temperatures dropped below 50 degrees, perhaps to 47 or so (in contrast to just a week before when temperatures dropped only to 63 degrees). That 16 degrees along with the choice of a lighter sleeping bag made a huge difference.

My pack was perhaps 15 pounds including water. This was nothing more than hiking a mile down the trail, eating a snack, getting up and having a light breakfast and hiking out.

The bottom line was that I cut things too close and had a quite unpleasant night. I had switched from my down "upgrade" bag (41 ounces) to my synthetic upgrade bag (33 ounces). This was not primarily a move to save weight. My wife was along, and I gave her the down bag, and chose what I thought (based on conditions a week before) was an adequate lightweight alternative. The polarguad 3D bag I selected has been used a lot, and has lost virtually all of its loft (not that it had a lot to begin with). It used to be a 45 degree rated bag (but we all know these ratings are patent nonsense). In its current condition it might be a 65 degree bag.

I had brought along a microfleece hoodie to wear around camp and use as a pillow. Because I was cold, I ended up wearing it, and using (or trying to use) a running shoe as a pillow. This was marginally better than nothing at all (maybe). Even with 2 layers of capilene 4 and the fleece hoody up top, I was still chilled (and wearing capilene 4 pants and light long pants).

Analysis

• The hardmen may laugh, but I must have some kind of decent pillow to get a good nights sleep.
• I also must have an adequate sleeping bag (and I need a lot more to be adequate than most folks).
• A bivy bag might have retained enough heat to make the difference. Last week I carried it and did not use it, this week I didn't and really wished I had it. As far as sleeping warmth is concerned, and given my propensity for sleeping cold, I need to always carry at least one thing that I am "sure" that I won't need (either a bivy bag or my R1 hoodie). In this department, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
• Note that my cadillac sleeping bag (my 15 degree rated marmot Pinnacle) weighs only 52 ounces, as compared to 41 ounces for my 40 degree rated "down upgrade". A heck of a lot more warmth for only 11 ounces more.

On a longer trip, inability to get a good nights sleep could ruin the trip. Without decent sleep, my attitude and motivation suffer greatly.

The bottom line is that my synthetic upgrade bag needs to be retired from standalone use, except maybe in 80 degree weather on the desert floor, when in truth you don't really need anything at all.