There might, in truth, not be a "need" to carry 45 pounds, but at the end of the day, people should carry what they want, and other folks should concentrate more on their OWN gear and journey rather than spending time debating or discussing what other folks are doing.
In short, like what you're packing and pack what you like.
That being said, yeah, I carry all sorts of things most folks don't, whether it's extra warm clothes, extra food, a second book, a flask, extensive maps and guidebooks, etc.
And funny thing.......hardly a day goes buy, especially early in the trip, that someone out there doesn't benefit from this, tho thankfully, this is the day they DON'T comment on the size or weight of my backpack.
But really, folks should carry whatever they damned please out there, and it's nobody else's concern or business.