Be aware that there is a "sweet point" of optimum pack weight beyond which it will slow you down so much that you do not gain much for going out more days in one food ration.

Then again, sometimes the point is not to cover the maximum number of miles, but to remain in the backcountry the maximum number of days. This may include setting up a base camp, where the majority of the weight does not need to be moved to a new location every day.

Each kind of trip presents its own set of problems and optimum solutions. Most hikers quickly standardize one on methodology that best suits their personality and physical ability, but there are as many variations on backcountry travel as one's imagination allows, including frontpacks as well as backpacks, or using horses, mules, burros, llamas, and I've even seen packgoats!