why not put on a pair of long johns T&B to sleep in? (silk or poly pro) And don't forget the balaclava on your head (silk or fleece).  ... View more

35 Lbs is too light for a long trip with no resupply - get a comfy pack and carry what you need - and your safety margin.  Keep the weight on your hips and not on your shoulders for max comfort.  ... View more

simplest method - keep a few hikers a short ways in front of you, that's what we did recently in Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Tetons ... View more

yup - wife and I hiked down Grand Canyon the Colorado river from North Rim (via Tapeats Creek) - I had an Xped, she had a 3/4 Thermarest.  Come to pass, she snuggled up with me all night on my Xped several nights in a row.  We both own full size Thermarests (decades old, and in perfect working order)- but they were too heavy for us oldies to carry. ... View more

This is the Rock Creek drainage - and its lovely. You can also do a pretty easy day hike (or overnight) up to Mono Pass (and a lake).  Stop by "Toms Place" and see if they have a berry pie on the menu! ... View more

use a lighter pack as part of the answer.  I ditched my lovely very heavy North Face pack for an old-style (and old)  aluminum-framed pack and hacksawed off a useless part of the frame - this saved me around 4 Lbs total.  ... View more

yes - day hikes come before any overnight trips.  BTW - Mono Pass (and back) via Rock Creek is a great day trip for a newbie. There is a lake at the top for fresh water. In August you could sleep up there and watch the Perseid meteor shower.  Or simply stay at Tom's Place (an alternative to the not the $$$ Rock Creek Resort).   ... View more

do not turn it inside out - it was sewn up to be  used in only one configuration - sleep mode.  Stuff it into its protective stuff sack bottom end first.  ... View more