Are you a ounce counter?

[twitchstick]

Tater "I appreciate the advances in equipment, it makes it possible for me to continue to enjoy the Backcountry. My knees thank me for every ounce I cut out".
 
I am with you on that! I've had a pack on my on my back since a young kid, over 30 years. I don't miss hiking in with hand me down metal framed packs with shoulder straps that would shrink down to the size of a rubber hose! Big bulky canvas bags and lots platic bags to keep it all dry. The good old days

[Tater]

twitch stick,
  I still have my first backpacking stove an Optimus 11R, all brass and steel, thing probably weighs 2 pounds,a lot has changed for the better.

[Jock Whisky]

Ounces add up to pounds. The more items you carry the more important counting is. I've known people to drill holes in their toothbrush to reduce weight. A bit obsessive perhaps but if you shave an ounce from sixteen items you've shed a pound. And sometimes you can shave several ounces from an item.

[FoCoBlackWidow]

The new Platypus bags are great for carrying water and they're light, tough an pack down well when not in use. A 'reliable' water source isn't always as reliable as you think it is (unless it's a running stream all year). Case in point - last year I had a great spring that was bubbling up all summer and through the first two weeks of September. But when I arrived late Friday night on week three...

As for other ways to save weight, I'm a huge fan of the tipi-style tents. They're incredibly light and shed wind and rain well. The only caveat would be that I don't use one when I'm in an area where the bugs are bad since I don't carry a liner to keep them out.

[YosemiteSam]

Originally posted by GDPolk:

4) Hammock and small tarp vs tent: if your in trees you can shed POUNDS over a tent, sleep pad, and bag, cut volume, and still have acceptable shelter and warmth...no brainer IF there are trees where your at to hang from

What hammock do you use?  I have an ENO but by the time I add in tree straps, Siltarp, ridgeline cordage, stakes, bug net, etc., I'm just as heavy as if I took my 2-person tent (sub 3# REI ultralight).  I opted for the bivy to save about 2# of weight and a lot of pack space.  But I love rocking in the trees.  How light is your hammock setup?

[Overspined]

I'm not a pro, but Yes, I pack as light as I can afford. Got a new kifaru pack last year, love it. I use it for packing and hunting both. No more daypack. Weighs like 3# dry. It'll last years and years, and modular so easy to fix.  It was so comfy last season. This year going hammock and UL tents at times, agree on the Mora, and binos. I leave the custom knife in the car and carry little 10X25. I know that as the week goes on, gear gets left behind because of weight. So, I get what I know I'll use, and most the heavy stuff stays in the car. The platypus is so much quieter than water bottles of any kind. No liquid sloshing around.  Although I do bring titanium mug in case, and also a spare platypus.