I have an internal frame Kelty Red Cloud 5600 for a pack.

As for the time out, the guy who is getting me in to this is just planning on 2-4 days out for now as we are both new to this.

I'm thinking that I will have to prob pack 40-50lbs of stuff.

For the temps, it's hard to say, but I would be willing to go as low as 20 or 30 deg. but it will mostly likely be night time lows in the 40 -60 range. And the budget is the other big problem, us low level goverment workers get paid in beans, and the wife tends to nag when I spend money on what she thinks is silly aka anything that is not clothes for her LOL.
So Ayers I hope tis helps you some, any and all help is welcome and thanks to the rest of you who have given me some good ideas