I never go into the back country without a compass. Yes I was a Marine who went through land navigation and to pass the class you had to plot your position within 50 meters.
I am always looking to lighten my load but I’m not a thru hiker, but do spend 1-2 weeks in the back country at a time.
I do have a GPS but last month my GPS would not work North of the Brooks Range but I had my Compass. I don’t know why but I purchased Energizer lithium batters and they would not work in my Garmin 60csx when I returned home I put Duracell in it and It works fine. Just FYI the Energizer battery’s were new and good but not in my GPS why I don’t know.
I will agree if you cannot use a compass don’t carry it carry extra battery’s for GPS.