Dude <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

3500 is not large enough for "cold weather camping" unless cold to you is 32 degrees. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> You may as well get one that will hold what you are most likely to carry when you do get away. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> And mostly you will get 2 day trips - like theres an inverse square funtion there. Like there will be 4/25 as many 5 day trips as 2 day trips. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As was said - go to outfitters and put your gear in packs and see how they feel. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

OTOH I'm one of those with an extremely large expensive 29 ounce 6500 inch backpack. I carry it all season - anything goes into it - AND you have to have a tiny UL pack to be any lighter - so smaller does not equal lighter <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> More expensive means lighter - duh. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />