The new Eberlestock design has a full internal frame... I just got mine, so I'm still evaluating it. But, it's a lot different than the semi-floppy frame sheets I've heard of them using in the past.
Eh, i was a bit off on the tent weight... more like 9lbs 11oz (per the official fishing-type gear scale at my house). It's an older model Mountain Hardwear Trango 2. It's a great solid tent, albeit not very light by today's standards. But, it was the cream of the crop back when I got it! I've had that thing through hell and back, and just can't part with it. A friend put an ice axe through the fly on Mt Washington during a January climb with me about ten years ago, and MH sent me a new rainfly for free, despite me telling them what happened. The new fly has more modern orange and gray colors, while my tent body is in the old-style teal blue color. Together these colors look hideous, but it's still a fine tent
When I need a really light option I usually just carry an OR bivy bag, or rely on one of my three season tents. But, when it comes to the wicked weather, the Trango just does what needs to be done!
As for packs, I've had my Dana since probably 1995 or so. I've always like the concept of the Gregory Denali pack as well, and used to sell these at a gear shop I worked at... just never got around to pro-dealing one, and by the time I thought about it I was doing a lot more ultralight backpacking. You're definitely right that pack fitting has become a lost art! We used to do full pack fits at the place I worked at in college, but these days you're hard pressed to find anyone who wants to fit you, or anyone who's competent at doing so.
I'll have to look into McHale sometime...
I have used The North Face Pole Sleeve Oval, VE24 and VE25. Talk about a load to tote around but they were bombproof. Then I got a Bibler and have never looked back. Light and small to pack and has seen worst weather than any of my TNFs, instead of a geo dome to stand strong and fight wind, Biblers flatten out and slip the wind over that has way less stress of the tent. Now that Black Diamond consumed Bibler, the I tent copy Firstlight is even lighter and smaller and can still fight some winter high alt weather. But the tent or shelter I use most now is Integral Designs SilShelter at 12oz.
I spent way too many horrible nights in a bivy sack, for those you like them, slither in and have fun but for me, I will dig a bolt hole or use my SilShelter.
My shop helped design the Denali Pro and at one time was only available through the shop as an exclusive but had a slight alteration of the design and name. Yes I am bias but when comparing side to side with the rest for heavy massive load hauling, it is the best or carries massive loads the easiest with I guess you can call it comfort.
Friends of mine use McHales, I do not personally own one but they are a work of art and not really any more expensive than other packs but can be well over $1000 if you desire. My favorite pack is still a one-off Andinista from John Bouchard at WildThings.
Pack fitting, pack buyers do not even understand there is such a thing these days. But really with the time and effort it takes, I can understand why many shops just push packs out the door. Like boots, until customer/users are truly fit to their foot and you feel and know the difference, the buyer will continue to ask for what is best on the interweb world and go buy it not realizing there is something much better out there but refusing to except this.
