Thanks for all the insight and good ideas from those that gave it, and thanks for the restraint posed by those normally more prone to spray.
Here are those in consideration:Kelty Cloud 4500TNF Prophet 65Gregory Makalu ProKhamsin 62
Most others were weeded out due to size (too small) or weight (too heavy). I have the NOZONE and basically want that in a larger size. Frame packs are good: those that can be stripped are better. I like the adjustability of the TNF and Kelty but have little faith in either company. My only beef with the Khamsin is the size is at a minimum. Trust me I know about going light, but there are some routes where stuff is just bulky, you may have to sit and wait out weather, or somethingone else is slowing you down. Typically I do more technical routes with speed in mind, but I have some I want to do that are a bit more remote (ie minimim 1 full day in 1 full day out 1 full on route; assuming all goes well).
Thanks againvt
PS: The dry side of the state has been expiriencing a bit of a partner drout for a while. If the above extremely vague route description sounds appealing drop a msg.