I wonder how much of the trip he actually remembers (outside of how fast he bagged it)
Bee, I can assure you, most every detail. Sean, especially, is highly astute and will convey a lot of detail in his reports about the days. I could also tell you about almost every footstep I've taken on some of my bigger days, both backpacking and day hiking.
I've heard again and again about how with backpacking "I get to really see the sunsets and sunrises from way back there." I can assure you, I've seen plenty of both on some of my longer days using both methods.
Liquid Gold: Sunset at Precipice Lake, July 2012 (backpack)
Sunrise, Moonset Over Thunder Mountain: Table Mountain Dayhike 2010
keywords: Precipice Lake sunset picture
