Mark,

I take enough gear to accomplish my goals for the trip. The pack gets lighter for fast and light trips. In fact for a 24 hour R.O.G.A.I.N.E. I would use a medium fanny pack with about a 3 pound base weight. For a solo six night trip where I need to carry 5 quarts of water the base weight creeps up to about 16.

Fewer miles makes for a heavier pack because I might want some camp toys - maybe even a fishing pole.

I do not mind going without a stove for up to two nights in warm weather.

I take fall trips where my goal is to find a high enough point with trees so I can lay in my hammock and listen to a football game on a radio.

I match my kit to the trip. I prefer that my goals and not gear be the focus of the trip.