Hi new to the backing scene. Just wanted to say hi.

Hi Welcome. If you are new to backpacking, this site is dedicated to lighweight backpacking, as the name implies. Don't forget to read through the articles posted on the home page and not just the forums.

As a beginner, some of the discussions over gear choices may be a bit esoteric, but there is plenty of basic info as well.

Remember, when asking a question, the more info you give, the better will be the answers. Questions like "I'm going camping, what should I take?" won't lead to much because the choices are endless and there are too many variables.

Welcome! As Tom mentions, there are lots of excellent articles for beginners and for anyone interested in lightening their load listed in the left-hand column of http://www.backpacking.net/, the home page of this site.

Another good site for gear selection is Mark Verber's website. It gives you an overview of the variety of gear available, from the latest technology to ultra-low-budget alternatives. Also tons of links to reviews and other sites.