[at-l] gear

[dajones at isp.com (David A Jones)]

I don't think I'm ready for a thru-hike just yet.  But, I am ready for a 
good long hike.  And, I've got 8 weeks of vacation stacked up.  So, I'm 
planning a southern AT hike in the May-July time frame: from Harper's 
Ferry, down the AT as far as I can get in the vacation time I have, and 
still do the trail throughly.

I'm looking to get a summer bag.  My winter bag was a North Face 0? down 
mummy.  It has a short zipper that makes me feel confined, and is 
difficult to adjust to warmer temperatures.  I kind of like what I read 
about this 35? degree Western Mountaineering down mummy:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/WES0003/Western-Mountaineering-HighLite-Sleeping-Bag-35-Degree-Down.html
I'd choose a long zipper option.  That would probably add a bit to the 
listed 1lb. weight.  Whacha think?  Could this be the right bag for 
summer solstice in the Smokies?

I also need to get a new pair of shoes.  My Salomons blister me.  I like 
the description of the Montrail Hardrock Trail Runners:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/1841390/c/37349.html
Mostly, I recall Listers being fond of New Balance.  Does anyone here 
have any experience with Montrail Hardrock?  I was looking over the Keen 
selection at Zappos...and I'm curious about hiking with sandals.  (The 
"Boulders" look like the offspring of sandals and trail runners.)  Are 
there listers who use sandals on the AT?  Do you get stuck with sticks 
and grovel with gravel in sandals?  On the other extreme: are gaiters 
worth the sweat in summer?