How do you guys manage to keep your gear light and still get great shots?

[bigBil]

Hey everyone! I’m in a bit of a bind with my outdoor photography. Last week, I went on a hike to capture some stunning sunset shots, and I thought I’d be prepared by bringing my DSLR, a couple of lenses, and a tripod. It turns out I was just torturing myself! By the time I reached the viewpoint, I was so out of breath that I barely had the strength to take out my camera. I missed the whole sunset because I was too tired to focus. How do you guys manage to keep your gear light and still get great shots?