My first time backpacking to Mt. Whitney I carried over 50 lbs. on my then 160 pound frame for 42 miles. That caused me to spend a lot of money to drop 20 odd pounds from my pack weight.
The way I look at the MMWT backpack trip is...
You have all day to haul all that gear and clothing 6-miles, +3,600'. If you get tired, stop and rest, stop and rest a second or third time, after all you have all day. The second day is a 10-mile day hike with about 15 pound pack, half of which is water and containers. Going down your pack will be 2 days worth of food lighter...the last six miles are easy.
I am not what you call an ultralight backpacker because I like my creature comforts on the trail but I don't carry a cast iron skillet or a hard bear resistant canister either.
