That chat with a thru-hiker outside Moab made me ditch my packing spreadsheet

I was waiting out a storm at a gas station near Moab and this guy came in with a 10 pound pack, no frame, just a tarp and a peanut butter jar. He said his whole system was based on what he used twice in the last 50 miles, and I laughed until I realized my 32 pound load had stuff I hadn't touched since the first day. He asked why I carry a backup stove when I eat cold food half the time anyway, and I couldn't answer. I drove home and pulled out half my gear, dropped to 19 pounds without losing anything I actually needed. Anyone else had a random stranger's logic beat years of forum research?

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