any modern colour printer will do a good job. but if you want to print out really good maps get an a3 photo quality printer and print onto photo paper. the maps have really good durability. i havnt tried the waterproof paper thats also available a4 only i think.
cant help with the rucksack much, i think you should maybe try some out at a local store to see how they feel on (with weights inside) i know osprey have some great rucksacks but they are expensive and might not suit you.
i really like the mountain equipment jackets. again you need try on one to check the fit. you wont go far wrong with one of these imho.
the merrels i have are treachorous on wet rock, bricks or any other smooth surface. but they may have changed as mine are getting really old. (lasted well)
you could try taking alook at the cycling forums, they use carbon products, forks frames and bars etc, i think you can get special carbon grease like stuff. other products may - will damage the carbon.
i carry the closed cell and 3/4 prolite on colder trips and often camp on higher ground, autumn to spring was just a rough kinda guide. the closed cell mat also takes out alot of wear & tear on the bivy base, i sleep with closed cell mat underneath bivy then the 3/4 prolite inside and a lighter sleeping bag. i believe alot of heat is lost through the ground and this loss is underestimted by many.
also i cant afford or justify a mat just for winter use when my combination works well for me. my aching ageing body also likes the comfort this provides me with. Another point to remember is reliability of closed cell mats vastly excides the reliabilty of self inflating types, essential in my opinion on mutiday hikes in cold weather. just in case! (not that my thermorest has let me down yet!)
i used to loathe the closed cell, but when used in conjunction the prolite my opinions soon changed as it was just so comfy & warm. i just wish i could compress the hell out of it.
morph
