Phat, That's what I planned to do, but never got around to it. Now I'm rethinking my whole gear package. I know what I want

I have to disagree with Jim to a certain extent. My gear is fine, it's getting it to my campsite that's the problem. Once I am there, no problem. This last trip was a bungle, but it was a confluence of small problems that added up to the point where I just gave up. Could have been worse, I suppose.

btw, I don't recommend doing what I do to anyone without some winter chops, or a rescue beacon.