Thank you for your input on my camera comment Wogsterca! Even though my Deardorff is a bit lighter than you'd think (about 12.5 pounds without a holder), the film, holders, lenses, dark cloth, loupe, and other doodads add up. And then there is the tripod! A nice CF tripod would be a lot lighter than my wooden Ries, but it's still too much when you add it all up. And it takes up too much space, besides.
A lightweight 4x5 kit based on a Toho FC-45X, a lightweight tripod, three compact lenses, and a Quickload/Readyload holder might actually be reasonable for touring. Otherwise, yeah, a lightweight 35mm rangefinder or a modest DSLR (eliminates the weight and bulk of film) is surely more practical.