Another thought with using the belt pouches is the ability to shingle them by only attaching the top bars. Since you are only doing for part of your trip....
I have also found success using the KU pods for larger/bulkier gear inside my pack, and using them like a stuffsack. I had pictures on a thread I started here somewhere. I use the pods with the same concept... Empty the pack, d&l the pods on the outside. Medium pod carries five days of food, and the large carries sleeping bag, hammock, underquilt, pillow, beanie, and whatnot. The small pod currently lives in my gym bag keeping my shoes from getting on everything else. Small pod had a pair of vibram five fingers, and a medium pull out with a pair of shorts, tshirt and heart rate monitor. None of the pullouts/pods are waterproof, so using trash compactor bags or a redundant UL stuffsack is necessary.
pat