Mostly it is because they went to the local outfitter and were sold the most expensive gear in the store and were sold a lot of gear that they did not need. The other reason is that they have seen pictures of backpackers with giant packs and tons of stuff strapped to the pack and thought that is the way it is supposed to be. In some case they do not want to admit that they were suckered so they just keep the stuff.

I have found that the main reason folks lighten up is because they are getting older and realize that if they are going to keep doing this they are going to have to lighten up. At 20 macho is good. At 50 reality trumps macho.