[pct-l] pack volume - is 35L too small

[greg mushial]

The wife seems to have given her blessings w/re by trying to be a member of 
the class of 2011..  but I'm trying to do such "on the cheap", ie, not spend 
big $'s on all new equipment. My question is: I've been using a light 35L 
lowe pack for climbing for the last decade - it fits well, I can do a single 
overnight on a mtn with it (have many times) and it meets my test of being 
able to trailrun with it (besides weighing in at, the literature says: 
43oz). For an 2 day climbing trip, crampons et al it'll weigh in at 25-28 
lbs. My question is: assuming going to a quilt vs a sleeping bag, is it 
likely that'll I'll be able to use it for a thru hike given the need to 
carry a bear contrainer and at some pts 10 days of food. For a cold country 
climbing trip I end up with much strapped on the ouside..  but it all works. 
What are the typical sizes of successful thru hiker's packs? I've been 
reading the various trail journals and it seems 45-55L are more the norm.
thanks - TheDuck