Don't give this guy a hard time. I hike the PCT all the time and watch the thru-hikers zoom by, carrying a much smaller pack, a little knapsack really, than ordinary folk use for day-hiking. The whole outfit, pack and all, commonly weighs less than 9 lbs, (without food) and is capable of withstanding much worse weather than we encounter when bike touring. All the more impressive knowing that they will not have any chance of resupply or help for days at a time, whereas the bike tourer is seldom more than a couple hours from civilization, and usually has a credit card. These folk have my highest respect.