Jake
what is the actual difference? How much more weight is your girl friend taking this year than when you carried the 50 pound pack? Are you comparing apples to apples? Lets assume that what you said is what you meant. A 60% drop in weight implies that you are carrying fewer things, and you are carrying some
lighter things. How much of the drop is from replacing heavier items with lighter items, and which is from leaving out stuff like 2 bottles of wine, or replacing the canvas tent with a tarp? Does 20 pounds include food? Not if that's your base weight. Did 50 pounds include food, or was that your base weight?
Anyway welcome to the group, you've had your strokes, now tell us some useful information.
Jim