I have been doing some thinking about how I got started. And I realized that my original approach was what some would conceive as minimalist. First and foremost my trips would always be in places with reliable water. That allowed fires. This would do two things the fire could be my backup water purification as well as emergency heat.

I would use chemical water treatment usually potabale aqua chlorine dioxide tabs.I would only pack enough stove fuell for one or two boils and would use a cook fire for most cooking . I usually carried a suppercat alc stove with 2-3oz of alc to use in the event I didn't want to build fire . I would do mostly add boiling water type meals aka fbc. I used a bushes baked bean can for a cook pot for prob my first six-ten trips

I started off using a 8*10 utility tarp and eventually switched to a 6*8 I used a variety a pitches but most common was advance leanto . I used a large drum liner in combination with a blue foam pad on the ground. I carried a queen size micro plush blanket . I found good down to about 40 esp in conjunction with layers or space blanket. I purchased all the items above.from wallmart for about $30

Once I purchased a pair of dryducks that doubled as raingear/ windbraker loaded it all up in a old jansport school pack and I was off and backpacking .

I find that people especially beginners can easily get overwhelmd in a sport such as this. And I hope this helps someone realize its not that hard just use some commonsense and get out there you'll be glad you did.

My early hikes were similar. Basically relied on a campfire and a tarp; military surplus provided most of the gear. Long day hikes blended into overnighters and the into multiple day trips. By then I knew what critical gear was most important to me.

Ditto - first stove was a sterno stove made from a tin can, with a slightly larger tin can perched on top for a pot; lots of "ramen stews" with ramen noodles, cream of chicken cup of soup, some freeze-dried mushroom slices, and (when I wanted to indulge myself) a small can of chicken. First shelter was a plastic WallyWorld tarp, and the sleeping bag was a cotton-shell rectangular bag with no hood (all tha was missing was the duckies on the lining.)

It provided great learning opportunities (which, in my case, eventually evolved into full-fledged gear junkiehood.

There's a few things I faild to mention in my previous post.
* 1 liter gatorade bottles make great recycled water bottles
* I wouldn't leave for a trip relying on fire for safety without two fresh mini bics and a min of one tealight candle.
* dental floss is an amazing peice of gear even if all you do is clean your teeth with it.
*if using a small volume pack roll tarp and groundcloth up in closed cell foam pad and attach to bottom of pack
* always hang your food "Practice"
* fashion is overrated. Self sufficiency is not.
* smile often and eat good health fresh foods .
* after you've completed everything above rince and repeat