First time going

Hellooo everybody. I am planning on going on a 2 person backpacking trip. Planned for 3 days. I was hoping some people can spare some knowledge about what to bring? I have nothing except a stove, tent, sleeping bag and 2400 cu in backpack. Any other things recommended? Price is a little bit of a factor AND this will be my first time, so nothing to outrageous.

It will REALLY depend on where you are going, and when. There are some good basic articles on this topic on this website...and you might check those first.

And then tell us where and when you are going, and we'll be able to give you better advice.

There's a gear list on our website as well, which is what we take in the summer in the Sierra Nevada...

Where are you going, and what conditions do you expect?

Have you read the articles along the left side of the main page of this website? There are gear lists there.

Lastly, I would suggest renting gear (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and stoves can all be rented) instead of buying it, because if you get bitten by the backpacking bug hard, you will want to drop a lot more money on quality gear up front - because (take it from me) it saves you a ton of money in the long run, also a lot of pain, stiffness, etc. And since gear needs are so variable depending on where you are backpacking,
and personal preference also plays a big role, and experience is the biggest factor in my having enough gear sitting around to outfit two other people.... An avid backpacker undergoes an evolution over time. I started without this advice and picked nearly everything I shouldn't have gotten, right down to the cheapest, heaviest sleeping bag in the world, and froze myself. If your sleeping bag weighs more than two pounds and cost less than a hundred bucks, it's probably in the same class as the one I started with - I wouldn't give one to my worst enemy. Figure out what the expected low temps are for your trip and rent a sleeping bag that will work for that range. Take a sleeping pad. You'll enjoy it a lot more.

You should pay special attention to the fit of your shoes and the fit of the backpack. A good outfitter will measure you and fit the backpack for you.

Another thing you'll need to know is what the food storage is for the area you're heading into. If the park or wilderness area requires you to carry a bear resistant canister to store food and trash in, you will want a bigger backpack. 2400 cu in is not a very big backpack.

Lots of articles and gear lists on the home page of this site, left hand column. (Same as mentioned by the previous posters, but providing you with the link.) The gear lists are designed for the Pacific Northwest, which has a generally milder climate than some parts of the US.

As balzaccom and lori say, a lot depends on where and when you are backpacking!

Ah of course, my mistake. Location does play a huge part. We are going in PA, right across the river from NJ. Talked to dept of forestry and the only thing they told me about what to bring was some warm clothing, as temps can drop to around freezing at night in the mt areas (but then again didn't really ask them anything about packing, just permits.). But yes, as I said all I really have is a pack, sleeping bag and stove. I was hoping to be pointed in the right direction of both nessacities(SIC) for 3 day trip and little things that can make it maybe just a little easier on a rookie backpacker until I get some experience.

We are going April 27-30. Also thinking about bringing my cousins dog, would we be able to get away with not getting a pack to carry his food and bowls? Dept of forestry said there was a lot of fresh water on the trails were looking at, so we were only going to bring maybe 3 total gallons and some water purification tabs so the water is usable.

3 gallons???? Just take a liter and a filter.water is the heaviest thing you'll have!

JG,

If I did the math correctly and you bring the 3 gallons of water that you mentioned, the two of you will have approximately 1.88 liters or essentially 2 quarts of water per day. That would be before collecting, filtering and treating any water along the trail.

3 gallons of water weighs approximately 25 pounds. That isn't even considering the weight of the container.

That would mean that each of the two of you would be carrying at least 12.5 pounds before adding your food, shelter, sleeping gear and the weight of the pack itself.

FWIW I use "fresh" nylon stockings as a pre-filter and I treat it with Katadyn Micropur chlorine dioxide water treatment tablets. I have used an Aquamira Frontier Pro water filter in the past but I have discontinued using it and have had no problems. YMMV

Sometimes the water is a bit "stained" and has a bit of a "flavor" to it.

I pack Gatorade powder with me on my trips and add it to my treated water to help with the color, taste and it also helps keep my electrolytes in balance so that I do not "bonk".

Do some research using either a trail guide book, topo map or a local outfitter's advice and plan out your water stops. Try to plan ahead and learn the distances to each reliable watering hole.

The most water that I ever carry at any one time in and on my pack is 3.5 liters. I only do this when I know that I am going to have a long dry stretch of trail before I get to the next water source.

FYI I usually do my long hikes on the AT. If you are going to be hiking on a portion of the Pennsylvania AT trail guide books are readily available that will tell you exactly where the water sources are along the trail.

Enjoy your trip,

Newton

That's just one more thing you'll need to carry in a pretty small pack. Since you're a newbie at this and likely have no ultralight (i.e., low volume) gear you may be hard pressed to fit all your own gear into it. I hope in your case that your pack is an external frame so you can strap some things on the outside. I also hope your cousin has a pack as well or you'll really be hosed. If not, borrow one.

I'd keep it simple and leave the dog with someone. Give that someone your route plan so they know when to expect you and can contact authorities if you are significantly overdue.

Do NOT carry 3 gal of water. 2 1-liter bottles at the most (per person) is all you should need. You can treat one while drinking from the other.

It was written from the Boy Scout perspective, but this paper should be useful for other newbies as well. You need to learn how to layer your clothing properly and that comes mostly with experience.

Even if these are highly used trails, know how to navigate and what your bailout routes are in case something goes wrong. Also good to know some basic wilderness first aid.

The water gap is beautiful country. Late APR can be gorgeous or cold - read the forcast and plan accordingly - including the rating of your bag.

Depending on the brand/type of gear you already own, food will be another large contributer to weight. I'm still struggling to get this right - believing the portion markings on packaging seems to be a big factor in not bringing too much.