I'm an experienced backpacker who thru-hiked the AT in 2007. I'm planning a JMT southbound thru-hike starting about 8/1/09. I'm a total newbie on the JMT.

Question 1 - I'm going to do mail drops at Reds and VVR. I'd like to avoid sending a maildrop to MTR if possible. I've read in the Wenk guidebook and elsewhere that I don't really need to send a maildrop to MTR, since there is lots of food to choose from excess maildrops folks have left there, if one isn't too picky. Call it my cheapskate Scotch heritage, but I'd like to try this. I'm thinking that if all else fails I'll have enough from my VVR maildrop to get to Kearsarge Pass, and then I can hitch into Independence. Is this a realistic strategy?

Question 2 - I have two good bags, a 35 degree and a 15, both North Face. Can I get by with the 35 degree, and save about a half pound?