What about Imoen? It seems right to take her with you (and not trusting anyone else [img]smile.gif[/img] ). Give her high ability in find traps (App. 100%), then dual her to a (specialist) mage.
Do not worry about pick pockets, open locks or stealth.
-Pick pockets can be substituted by save-and-reload (or a good sword arm if you are evil).
-Open locks - well the good sword arm comes into mind again (or use the knock spell if Imoen is dualed to a mage).
-Stealth: There are both boots and an armour that can be used here.
Be sure to buy lots of healing pots
[img]graemlins/greenbounce.gif[/img]
Insane
BTW: If you were a power player (like me) you would have put 18/xx into STR. It becomes 19 when you find a certain book [img]smile.gif[/img]