Glenn,

There is a lot of wisdom in your post. I generally have about a 12 pound base weight. I have the knowledge and gear to push that down to 8 pounds, but 12 pounds gives me more layering options, more cooking options and I sleep in a hammock.

I retired my BushBuddy Ultra because of the fiddle factor and again am using an alcohol stove.

The one piece of gear that is the focus of activity is my hammock.