Between the age of 10 and 12, my first 4 trips into the Sierra Nevada involved 1) bear chomping holes in packs to get at food; 2) being drenched and cold for 5 days (when the rain stopped); 3) snowy and cooool conditions; 4) and more bear fun. I have been hesitant to not have gear/clothes for the possibility of "atypical" Sierra Nevada weather ever since. Probably also explains my interest in bears.

I don't see anything better than the layering philosophy at this time, although what I wear hiking vs in camp are usually different. Even though I don't typically wear much while hiking, its still a layering system of sorts.