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good sleeping bags and pads are an essential - for almost all trips, a 30 deg bag is good enough - I always use Down bags (Marmot generally) packed so that there are at least two extra waterproof layers - never had them get wet on me.  once used a 40 deg bag - that wasn't warm enough for late May

I would add that if you tend to run "cold" it's better to error on to much bag than not enough. You can always unzip it if you get to warm.

I use a 20 degree Slumberjack with Thermoloft insulation (synthetic down) and on my Spring 2014 trip ( May 14th) I found that even that wasn't enough on it's own and I sleep in 100 weight polar fleece top/bottom ( like sweats) and with a hat.

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Had to put on my Thermoloft jacket sometime after Midnight.
I'd rather take things off than wish I had them to put on. ;) ;D