Actually, Rod, funny you should mention the weight thing. I remember when I climbed Whitney, I had spent the previous two years shaving weight off my own bod. When I put the pack down for a break at Lone Pine Lake, I had the revelation that I was now able to take all that weight (I had lost between 50-60 pounds) ON and OFF my body at will.
So, no matter what the pack weight, I still smile about that. Especially since I've been at the same "fighting weight" for the past 8-9 years. (Well, except for the winter coat last year, but I'm not gonna let THAT happen again!)
-L
