I've cross-country skied across the Brooks Range in Alaska. I've canoed all over Canada, Michigan and Alaska. I've camped out hundreds of times. But, I've never before attempted to travel self-contained on a bicycle in remote areas. Cycling in remote areas where services are few and far between presents unique packing challenges.
Weight is of primary concern.
I agonized over my gear selections for weeks before and during my cross-country adventure. As my first test, I piled everything I wanted to take with me into 4 paper grocery bags to get an idea how well the bulk would be handled by my panniers. I then weighed every item on my wife's kitchen scale. At first I had 68 lbs of gear. I tried reducing it at home and failed.