[pct-l] Sleeping bag liner poll

[jape1 at cox.net]

While the poll doesn't reflect it, many thrus list a liner in their gear lists.  And from past discussions, it seems about 50-50 that they are carried for either extra warmth or sleeping bag protection.  

If I need extra warmth in my bag, even after donning my jacket and long johns, I'm packing the wrong bag to start with.  Through trial and error, I've determined that I'm happiest with a 15 degree bag.  Because a lot of my weekend hiking is in southern California, that's too much bag, but I regulate my temp by first unzipping the bag, then using it like a quilt, or on the really hot nights not using it at all.  

I haven't found a lack of liner to impact the bag's function nearly as much as its daily compression and storage in my pack.  A good airing and shaking seems to keep stink at bay, and any dirt smudges can often be wiped off with a damp cloth.

Finally, it might help to consider a sleeping bag as a thru hike consumable.  If it survives the trip and remains in goood enough shape for the next, hooray, you win.  

But in a once-in-a-lifetime trip that is going to set me back $4000-$5000 bucks, a trip where I'll find myself trying to rationalize "another" $75 for "another" single night  in a hotel room, easily accepting that I'll blow though five pairs of $80 shoes, without a thought, and yet require myself to carry an extra 1/2 pound or more to hopefully preserve a $300 sleeping bag, seems a bit nonsensical.  But that's me...(and maybe that's why I hike solo more than others <g>)

eckert