I carry everything I need, including a lightweight tent. This weighs about 1.6 kilos and my pack as a whole weighs about 10 kilos, depending on how much water and food I’m carrying. My tent is a Force Ten Helium 100 and my backpack is an excellent model designed especially for women by Berghaus. I generally stay at campsites but occasionally use youth hostels, stay with friends or find a hotel or B and B. I must also add that my very supportive husband comes to see me every week or so in our small camper van, bringing with him clean socks, supplies of porridge oats and so on.
I appreciate that I’m very fortunate to have the outdoor skills and level of fitness to carry a backpack and to do lightweight camping. However, for me it is also by far the most practical option for the long-distance walking and pilgrimages that I do.