Jacob:
I've done a bit of backpacking and carrying a five lb. wad of Pirate Kake, while tempting, isn't smart. You've got to arrange some cache points for such a long back country - third world trip. I'm also a long-time Colin Fletcher devotee and a 40-45 lb. pack is going to be your limit.
If you're an extremist/minimalist then enjoy that 20 lb. backpack, sleeping wet and whatever tobacco and local beer the village chief pushes in your direction. Just know that the fermented beverage offered to you started that voyage in somebody else's mouth.
Take a couple of cobs, hoss, and leave those briars at home.
In the meantime, tug your forelock, grab a knee and ask for The Old Cajun's blessings. He spent his early days in Laos way back when the U.S. couldn't say it was there during that recent dust-up in French Indochina. And, IIRC, Bradley was smoking Dr. Grabows back in those days but his taste in briar has certainly improved.
Good luck to you, pal.
Fnord