I am so with you on this. I've been backpacking on and off for forty years. Now in my mid 50s and having an incomplete spinal cord injury for the last 35, I thought I was nearing the end of the line. It just wasn't fun anymore. Like you, I discovered lightweight gear and have been really excited about shedding pounds and ounces. I took my new Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian out for a spin over fourth of July, loaded with my new Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 man tent, stove, water, etc and couldn't believe how comfortable I felt after a brisk 5 mile jaunt through the woods. Going to Glacier in a couple of weeks and am really pumped! Still have weight to shed but I'm making progress.