I can relate....so, here's what I did. ( female, 5'2") Made up a system that took 2 yrs. of hiking to trim down. Have all my stuff that will need to go in a new pack when that day comes. (current pack is a Eureka! Getaway 3500 cu.in.)Currently using a hammock w/pad, under quilt in cooler weather w/bug net, removable, seperate from hammock. Use a 1 person ALPS mountaineering Mystique tent( $89 at Overstock.com, $2.95 shipping) when trees are not available on chosen hikes. I use a Thermarest ridgerest short w/tent setup. Don't carry anymore clothes/layers than you will wear at any one time/all at once for the coldest temps/weather you'll expect.
Granted my pack is an older model is 3#'s but tough cordova pack cloth.