Hey there, I just have gotten into backpacking and would love ANY advice. I have been camping many times and have studied wilderness survival since i was just a lad. I am 18 now getting ready to leave for the Army in about six months. I am in good shape athletic, not like marathon athletic, but I have the will to push my self to extreme limits mentally and physically.

I want a pack around 20-25lbs for trips anywhere from a weekend to possibly a month. I don't have resources to spend like $200 on a pack or tent. I plan on going to spruce knob ,WV or shenandoah valley. Most of my trips i plan to do by myself during spring, summer, or fall (I'm Egyptian I don't do snow haha).

Also what type of clothes should i wear, obviously not cotton.

A list of what i should get would be awesome.

how do you guys think military MRE's would work...?

Thanks