I'm a dayhiker and car-camper, but I've never backpacked before. Most of the hikes I've done are pretty well known - Half Dome, Mt. Baldy, etc., but I've done all of them in a day. Anyway, I have all my gear (mostly used), and don't even know how to get started. First, and don't laugh, but are camping sites the same as backpacking sites? Do you need a permit to stay overnight? Any advice would be appreciated. smile Is it relatively safe for a single girl to go backpacking? I've never had problems car camping.