My packs weight w/out food/water/fuel is about 12 lbs.. I could knock that down below 10 lbs. pretty easily simply by leaving my bear canister at home. If I was going a long distance, I would trim everything down to it's bare minimum though.

I carry extra weight on 3 day trips. I'm not just out there to commune w/ nature and stuff like that. I'm also out there to burn a few calories, so I don't see the point in doing everything that I can to make the experience easier for myself.

Another reason many go all ultra light in gear choices is it allows them to go and buy all new gear, giving them the temporary new gear rush that all gear-junkies crave.