Hi, I agree with Martin that it can be very cold in May, and its always easier to get cooler if you are hot rather than the other way around. My take is, like all things gear related, unfortunately there is no one size fits all answer. In gear selection experience and personal preference counts. As you've done the challenge before then you will know a lot of the questions to ask yourselves but these are what I asked myself when making a selection:

1. What weight are you prepared to carry
2. Do you sleep hot/ cold
3. Are you in a tarp or a tent - dual skin tents tend to be warmer.
4. Thin mat or a thick mat. Foam or a nice thick airbed.
5. Will you carry extra clothes in bed. extra layers thermals etc.
6. How 'hard' are you :-) - I know it sounds silly but some people are able to put up with more discomfort than others.

So to wind up my tome, we sleep in a tent. I have a PHD bag which comes in warmish but not bonkers. It was a bit wider and longer as I'm a bigish build. So that's more weight, however I carry a nice thick Exped UL airbed which is heavier, but means I get a comfy night and better insulation through the ground, so I could reduce the sleeping bag weight a bit. I carry thermals to wear in the bag if necessary. Physiologically and Psychologically I keep waking up if cold so like to be warmer. After the exertion of a day on the hill I tend to sleep colder than I would normally, so might need more insulation....back to stage one. And repeat.

Long winded but I hope that helps.

Thanks for all the valid info. i do remember in 2006 i did wake a few times being cold so i think i will get something more substantial for next year. mind you back than the weather was lovely and the rain stayed away for most of the crossing.

Agree emphatically with previous replies: better too warm than too cold if you want to sleep soundly. And I also find I feel the cold more when tired at the end of a day's walking than I would at home.

On a different tack, my favourite sleep aid (as some of you will be tired of hearing) is a tiny, virtually weightless thin fleece pillowslip. Gone are the nights of waking up with the clothing I was using for pillow all scrunched in lumps & spread everywhere.....or my head repeatedly slipping off a stuffsack full of clothes becasue of the shiny cold fabric. I've had this precious trifle for many years and can't remember where I bought it!

Don't forget the Frying Pan and all the accessories like last time :)

Hey Bob, I hope that's not directed at me! Never fried anything on a Challenge.....eating is kept as simple and light as poss.

But I'm still taking the super down pullover I bought from you may years ago: my daughter borrowed it recently for a camping weekend around ben Alder and was equally impressed.

Ha ha won't be forgetting that, how are you Bob nice to hear from you?

Good thanks. I'll look forward to a follow up chat all these years later and you can tell me all about your approach this year :)

No Jean it was directed at Stefan. The last time I met him walking up the Corrieyairack Pass, Terry was laughing at him as he was complaining about the weight of all his gear, which included a frying pan, dinner jacket, a foot spa and a dutch oven I seem to remember (or something like that)

Happy days :)