Well this trip I finally lightened my load a bit.  I am still not at my goal of 30 pounds, but I am close.  I had to take some of the extra clothing, crampons, etc. due to the conditions for this time of the year at the canyon.  If it wasn't for that, I would have been almost at my goal.  I will continue to strive to be more militant in my gear selection as I try to take less and find lighter items.  The one good point though is that all my gear is now internal in my pack; there is nothing hanging on the outside.

Since this trip was slapped together within a month, I had extra days to do some day hiking.  I should state up front that most of these pictures came from the REI website.  So in all fairness they get top billing for a link.    

Each 2 day portion of this trip actually had a different gear plan which I have to say is unusual.  Climbing back to the rim every other day allowed me to switch gear around as I needed.  The dry camp on Horseshoe Mesa increased my weight due to the extra water I decided to carry down onto the mesa.  

So here is the break down in weights:

Best gear:  Leki Makalu anti-shock hiking poles yet again.  They really helped on the ascents/descents; not nearly as much strain on the knees.  I probably would have hated life out on the Grandview Trail without them.  I would also have to say the Kelty Torrey day pack; small, versatile and a lot of fun.

Worst gear:   Kelty brand aluminum tent stakes (the ones that are supplied with the tent).  COMPLETELY USELESS.  I bent, mangled, and twisted the hell out of a few of them.  I never did use the crampons either, not that they were bad gear, just dead weight.