Both Bob R. and Steve C. are Light(even UL at times) trekkers for the valid reasons of aging joints (sorry guys). They want to remain active for as long as possible, so taking the weight off the joints is the one area of relief that makes a difference.
I would never, never place either of them in any sort bad light. In fact, I have learned so many useful tips from them about streamlining my outdoor experience. One of those tips was that a stove is actually optional in summer (sorry Jim the Stovie) so that on short trips, I now actually bring "cold" meals, and leave home the stove, utensils, & cooking gear.
In Winter, the stove is an essential tool of survival in the mountains (to melt snow for water) so I would never leave it home.
There. I have now brought stoves into this crazy thread!
