Pika,

I am with you on pack weight. Except I started out light because I di not have the gear, then went up to about a 45 pound base weight. At age 50 I started down and now have settled into about a 12-15 pound base weight depending on the season and trip.

I can drop the base weight to about 8 pounds, but have to give up the hammock or thick pad and eat from a bag.

It is dangerous thinking that gear keeps you safe in the backcountry. What keeps you safe is:

Knowlegde,

Experience,

Common Sense,

Positive attitude,

Fitness, and

Awareness.

Gear is convenient and can make you comfortable, but safety is an attitude.
_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra