All good advice here but I think Lori summed it up best. Re-read her post. An axe and shovel are strictly car camping tools unless you're horse packing and setting up a long-term base camp AND fires are permitted in your area. Ned a potty trowel. Most of us have found a wider aluminum snow stake works great.

** My very BEST advice is to get Don Ladigin's excellent little book "Lighten Up!". With the great illustrations by Mike Clelland it is, without doubt, the one book new backpackers need to read first, before buying anything - BEFORE buying anything.**

Then go to a store that specializes in backpacking gear, like REI or, especially, Go-Lite and get an EXPERIENCED lightweight backpacking clerk to answer your questions. For example, getting a proper fitting pack is essential. But the pack is the last thing you buy. (Ya gotta see if all your other gear will fit into your chosen pack.)

Good luck. And don't forget to post at this site all the new gear you found you shouldn't have bought and now want to sell! Someone will want it for car camping, winter camping, etc.

Eric