I am, perhaps, a bit different than most on here when it comes to reasons for backpacking. I don't backpack for the wilderness experience per se, I backpack to share time with friends while expending energy, generally in a place I haven't been before. I enjoy being in the mountains, camping next to some alpine lake, seeing various wildlife, etc., but that's simply a benefit to spending time with friends while expending energy in the woods. I've done some nice bike tours around the world (just a friend or two, no group trips/organized trips), all on roads through towns and such, and enjoyed them just as much as backpacking for the same reasons.

When backpacking, I take an inReach because my brother likes to 'follow along' when I'm on a trip, and we usually send a text or two at night. I take my phone as a conduit to the inReach and as my GPS. I take a camera so I can share the gorgeous sights (and sometimes wonderful sounds) with friends and family when I return.