I stand corrected...guess I should have said that Rucks are as extinct as Dodos amongst civilian backpackers.
Ultra light weight is now the mantra for backpacking...I just got a new super light backpacking tent...2 person but only 4.7 lb and that's with everything including the "footprint" (ground cloth) and rain fly. If I'm carrying over 50 lbs for a two or three day trip, then something's seriously wrong with my choice of gear.
I am impressed though with your loads...but wanna try now (at 35?)...or in 20 years (when you'll be my age)?
Actually the Rockies can be downright steep...Ft Carson has Blackhawks and their Air Assault guys do go out in the central Colorado Rockies for training.
And yeah, chuckle, this thread has certainly developed some strange twists and turns.
(I take it as a measure of the increased level of interest and passion the board is now generating...this place is starting to get downright lively!)