Glob,
I do agree. Nothing like that feeling you get when you are backpacking by yourself 10 miles into the middle of nowhere and it is getting dark.

I like to go light. I do not cook, no stove no gas. I find when I get back to camp at night all I want to do is climb in the rack. I never have a fire either.

Usually have a bagel for breakfast or a couple granola bars, then nuts, power bars, candy bars, apples, breakfast bars. Yeah this diet gets old after a few days but it is really easy and light.

I do always take a small tent weighs about 3 1/2 pounds, I have gone without it a few times and I just feel more comfortable in a tent. Lightweight foam ground pad, small backpacking pillow. Daypack comes along, at least two flashlights and a headband, waterfilter, couple water bottles, only fill one if I am around lots of water. I strap my rifle in its soft carry case on the back of my pack vertically with bunjee cords, that way keeps my hands free.

Main thing is to know you are backpacking into an area where you will not be joined opening day by the four wheeler, motorcycle, horse guys. Otherwise you have just made a long hike for nothing.