In the UK we have Audax style, light-touring bikes, which have racing-weight frames for 18-20lbs build weight but rack and fender mounts, usually long drop caliper for 28mm tyre clearance.
The classic setup is with a large saddlebag but they can take light camping loads on rear panniers. Some people load the up quite heavily.
You need to keep the load from tipping the bike back since they the chain-stay length of a medium tourer.

UK explorers, the Crane brothers used ultralight touring bike made from Reynolds 753 (pro grade racing steel) to ride to from New Dehli the centre of the asian landmass in Mongolia in mid 1980s. They were skirting the very extreme of lightweight cycle touring but the ultralight movement has made an impact on cycling.