 The main pack is just under 40L. Probably around 50L if you include the pockets.
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 Here's my pack ready to go later today, with 4 days of food. And whisky.
Jammy sod 
Where are you heading Mike? I should know this but what shelter do you use, is it still a Warmlite?
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I'm of the PD school of 'keep it neat and tidy' with regards to rucksacs - I only use nice stream-lined climbing sacks as well as I don't like the stuffed pocket look either But more importantly, stuff in the rucksac has an extra layer of protection, not just from the elements. I lost count of the number of people on the GR20 in June who had punctured sleeping mats, partly because of the sharp rocks and pointy plant-life and partly due to falls - people were tying Thermarests on the bottom of their rucksacs, so when they did an unexpected bum-plant, the poor old Thermarest got damaged. It wasn't an issue when it was Karrimats but modern technology needs a bit more care.
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 Here's my pack ready to go later today, with 4 days of food. And whisky.
Jammy sod 
Where are you heading Mike? I should know this but what shelter do you use, is it still a Warmlite?
Off to the Gorms Richard. I've recently got an MLD Duomid, and was going to test that out. However gale force winds are forecast, so i bottled it and packed the Warmlite 2R. If it was just an overnighter i would have taken the Duomid. I haven't tried it in really strong winds though, and the Gorms can be verrrry windy.
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 Can you name the bag you're taking Mike? 
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 I carry a karrimat rolled vertically down one side, and a bivi-bag or tent (Laser comp) vertically down the other, so's to be able, like Mike, to set up quickly in rain.
I did foolishly carry my Rab vapour-rise jacket strapped to the lid for a few hours in the Maritime alps this spring, but I won't be doing that again as even though I retraced my steps the following day (what a waste of time) I never found which branch had snagged it and plucked it away.
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 I lost count of the number of people on the GR20 in June who had punctured sleeping mats, partly because of the sharp rocks and pointy plant-life and partly due to falls - people were tying Thermarests on the bottom of their rucksacs, so when they did an unexpected bum-plant, the poor old Thermarest got damaged.
Yep... seen people doing that myself... and I have to say that it looks most exhausting work trying to blow up a Therm-a-rest full of holes... not to mention the dead weight of a useless bit of kit!
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 I like everything to go IN my pack. I always think that stuff hanging on the outside looks naff and leaves it more exposed to the elements. Sure, you can wrap it up, but then you're just carrying extra wrapping and extra weight and bulk. Whenever I see people with pots and pans dangling from their packs, it reminds me of Sam (the fat Hobbit) on Lord of the Rings. Or Barry McKenzie on walkabout in the outback. Remember him? So, it's OK if you're 'stralian, in fact it's expected, but not if you're normal. I guess a closed cell foam sleepmat is OK.
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 Off to the Gorms Richard. I've recently got an MLD Duomid, and was going to test that out. However gale force winds are forecast, so i bottled it and packed the Warmlite 2R. If it was just an overnighter i would have taken the Duomid. I haven't tried it in really strong winds though, and the Gorms can be verrrry windy. I was looking at the DuoMid on Phil Turners blog, http://phil-turner.net/2009/07/17/mountain-laurel-designs-duomid-part-1/ Looks interesting. I still tempted by something like that or the Contrail (Tarptent) but I'm a bit concerned about driven rain and condensation being bounced off. I guess I'd need a bivvy bag of some type. Again I've looked at the MLD ones. Anyway, enjoy the trip
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 In the warmer months you don't necessarily need a roll mat to sleep on. You may be able to find a foldable mat made from very cheap foam/ foil for a few quid( I paid 2.50). The sort of thing you may find in argos and caravaning type shops. The material is like the sun reflector things you place in your car windscreen to keep it cool if you leave it in the sun in fact one of those would probably do nicely. The one I have is about the size of a small loaf of bread once rolled up but it is better to fold it to the size of your pack and use it for extra padding. Oh, did I forget to say it is far lighter than a therma rest or foam mat! 
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