Great lessons in all of this, and certainly not just for the "newbie".

The point it most reinforces for me is that gear and "process" plus experience are all intertwined. I've seen and read about various "ultralight" classes put on where a local enthusiast will trot out all of their cool ultralight gear and rave about how wonderful it is to have a lighter pack. The problem is that a lot of his audience won't have his (okay, typically it is a 'him' ... :-)) experience, and won't have his knowledge and just in-camp "process" assumptions. Certainly to include some of the things that you describe.

IMO the best 'ultralight' class would include an overnight field trip, a "let's try it out now together" outing. And indeed, one that's not a lo-o-ong way from the parking lot!