A little extra heat

"So i have a rainshadow 3 tarptent"

Just wondering where you bought a Rainshadow 3 ;-)

well its the 3 person shyres special…..wine in a platypus tastes fine right now ;)

Its a tarp with a floor and netting around the lower extremities….k?

Might be the perfect time to pick out an nice puffy insulation parka! This would be much more versatile than the other items you mentioned. Also, chemical heat packets can provide a boost if things get cold, as can hot rocks or a bottle of hot water. Even a midnight snack close at hand can work wonders to keep the furnace going- something with a decent mix of carbs and fats- too sugary and you will peak then crash.

James

I can't speak to Mt. Whitney in October, but if you need some puffy insulation, I'd suggest a Mont-Bell Down Inner Parka.

in my sleeping bag, leg warmth? parka? puffy bottoms?

Yes, wear your clothing in your sleeping bag as insulation- a classic example of lightweight multi-purpose philosophy. In theory, you are ideally prepared for sleeping when you are in your bag, wearing all your clothing, and you stay just warm enough to be comforable. Just make sure you can sleep in a way that doesn't overcompress all that insulation (both in the bag and your parka). The first place you want to insulate is your torso- that's where you generate heat. A parka with a built-in, insulated hood is very efficient at retaining heat- but in any event make sure your head and neck are well covered while you sleep. Extra insulation for the legs comes next- but if you are not as worried about conserving weight, a pair of fleece longjohns can work wonders.

James

All of what James said.

Cheers