good idea on the pack selection process... its a bit hard to do out here due to lack of stores and to be honest the quality of product you find here ( at least in the outback) is pretty low.
Im keeping my options open on that sleeping bag so far, i hear the cats meow is about 50/50 like/hate , but then again, what isnt. Im checking out westernmountaineering tonight.

stoves-i was pretty much set on the gigapower with the snowpeak cup and other goodies, i really like their quality. I saw another brand, i think novark or something close to that which made a very stable (in store feeling) stove similar to the giga.
Jetboil seems like a good choice due to my love of coffee and need of it on the trail to stay chipper.
awesome advice guys im really picking up alot of good ideas here.