Quote from Sasquatch on Sep 30^th, 2010, 8:37pm:

Old saying:
"Take care of the ounces, and the pounds take care of themselves."
You just hit that nail right on the head.  
Some people clip tags off of their clothing, cut the handle off of the toothbrush and drill holes in what's left of the handle.
Others carry folding chairs with them.
Everybody's different. You've got to find your own sweet spot. For some, it's finding the ultra-lightest way to go. For others it's all about comfort and familiarity.  
I see it as an evolution. If you don't use it this time, why carry it next time?
And if a 2lb sleeping bag is good, is a 1lb bag better? Well, in my opinion, only if it keeps you warm enough at night, and if you've got enough cash to get it.
Which brings up another tired, old saying:
"Light, cheap, durable-pick any two."
Throw enough money at the weight problem and you can "solve" it. But is that realistic for everyone? No.  
 
My kit has evolved over the course of the last 15 years or so- no way is it the lightest, but it's about as light as I can get it without sacrificing some of the comfort I need in order to make the experience enjoyable. That should be your goal.

Quote from Flyn Ryan on Sep 30^th, 2010, 4:56pm:

 
I too have found that polypro is one of the best things one can have in cold weather.  I trained/survived a month on top of a mountain in Bridgport in the dead of winter.  One of those weeks was spent sleeping in a snow cave.  As far as clothing goes, I packed in not much more than polypro glove liners,  polypro long underwear, top and bottoms, a cotton t-shirt, gortex hooded coat, Danner Boots, and Gortex Gloves with three pairs of socks.   Thats probably some of the lightest cold weather clothing you can buy.  You would be surprized at how warm you can be with the right gear.  Another good tip is to get a mesh style t-shirt (kind of like a football jersey) to wear under your polypro underwear.  It creates air pockets of heat next to your body.  The polypro wicks the sweat from your body to the cotton shirt, and the air that comes through the vents in the gortex coat will usually dry the sweat.   If you are really ready to battle mother nature and go as light as possible, you don't pack a tent in but carry a plastic/vinyl poncho and build some sort of shelter to sleep under.  You wrap the poncho around you and your sleeping bag, and on top of a foam sleeping pad, we used to call it a Ranger Roll.  Basically you are wraping yourself up like a burrito inside your sleeping bag under shelter.  (WORKS GREAT!) As far as all the other gear it's personel preference.  If your not going to use it, don't pack it in.  ONLY PACK ESSENTIALS!!  Well there is my two cents.  Hope it helps.  Peace   Drew  

It sounds like you've got all the right stuff in this thread, so I'll keep my 2¢ breif.
 
-As a foodie willing to cook in the wilderness, I found that my local chinese grocery is a true haven for ultra light foods. Dried mushrooms, pork & chinese sausages are super light and filling, combined with the right starch (cous cous, ramen w/o the gross little packet of sodium, quinoa,etc.), dried fruits, a splash of brandy. Those wax covered little cheeses keep long enough for a hike, too.
 
-My bandana makes a great coffee filter.
 
-The guitar stays home, I play uke instead. (A BP guitar could change that, but I dig the uke).
 
-A roll of toilet paper actually makes a great neck pillow.

Quote from Sasquatch on Sep 30^th, 2010, 8:37pm:

 
On my last trip to some Sierra lakes, the skeeters were thicker than LA West Side traffic at rush hour.  Personally, I also would never consider sleeping without a tent just to keep them off me during the night, though a buddy does just that.  He packs a tube tent, which is open at each end.  It's really only good for rain protection.
 
Where they live, I'd also be concerned about scorpions crawling into my sleeping bag.  I believe that includes the Kern basin, though I've never seen one myself.
 
I also think the tent holds up to the moisture you can get from early morning dew.  I don't like packing away my sleeping bag still damp, and then crawling into it at the end of the day to find it still hasn't dried out.  That would be even more of a concern if you have a down bag.

Starbuck's Via has replaced coffee and my backpacking percolator (not heavy but takes up too much space) in my pack.
Just add boiling water and contents of a 'stick' in your cup... But be careful. The stuff is POTENT. I was tweaking for three hours after drinking 3 cups up on the Forks.

Quote from Sasquatch on Oct 1^st, 2010, 11:20am:

 
instant coffee with alittle starbucks via to kick it up  
Ryan

Quote from ryan on Oct 1^st, 2010, 11:59am:

 
I use a smooth rock and prefer if it's wet.