I think it is important to encourage people to get into the game gradually. Do some day hikes to interesting places and work out the gear that works for you for that excursion. Then go for overnights, perhaps more leisurely trips to places you have already visited. Then progress to still longer and more complex outings. That has work just fine for me and for many other people.

On my very first overnight, my room mate and I took a cast iron skillet out on the trail. That sparked a life long interest in light weight hiking gear.