Hi everyone!
So I'm a 24yo guy wanting to go on his first backpacking trip. I don't really have any equipment, except for a pair of softshell Mammut pants, and a pair of North Face "Back-to-Berckeley" boots which I'm not sure would be a good fit...
I have been willing to get away for a while having never really traveled. I've always loved going camping and going away from civilization, my trips have always seemed too short though.

I've decided New Zealand would be a great place for my need for adventure. With it's diverse landscape and breathtaking sights, and most importantly the wilderness. I'm considering it mostly for it's moderate climate and safety. I've thought about Costa Rica as well but there's a lot more considerations and dangers over there.

I'd be looking at just getting a one way flight with an option for comeback. The idea is mostly to experience something new and have a lot of time for reflection.

My reason for subscribing here is to get some information on the gear needed and tips for long treks like that for someone with no experience with trekking, just camping and canoe-camping.

So I want to start preparing and getting a list of what I would need/ make a budget. Money IS an issue, but durability and comfort will also be taken into account. I have the intention of making it a long trip therefore a little comfort without compromising too much on weight would be nice.

Also, about medications and travel. How does it work?

EDIT: just thought about bathroom breaks, I'm a guy, so half the issue is covered, what about the other half, how do you deal with that?

I'm aware I'm asking a lot of questions here, but feel free to answer only what you know about
Thank you very much for any insight you might have!

My first suggestion is that you take a couple of nice short overnight or two night trips right here in the good Old USA...and somewhere close to home. That way you can try out your equipment, see what works, and get a sense of what you might need in NZ. It would be really silly to travel all the way there and then realize that you missed something critical.

And as a way of preparing for those short trips, look up a local hiking club or an outdoors store and ask a lot of questions. Don't believe everything they tell you--but ask away, and you will get a much better idea of how all this works.

And since I seem to be writing this whole post in reverse order---check out the reference information on this site. If you search around, you will find answers to most of your questions right here. We also have a lot of info on our website...in my signature.

Check out the articles on the home page of this site, left-hand column.

I agaree with Balzaccom's recommendation of short trips close to home first (overnighters not too far from the trailhead). You need to become comfortable with your gear and learn the needed skills, such as regulating your body temperature and keeping dry in soggy weather (of which New Zealand has plenty). These skills are best learned in an environment in which you can bail out in a hurry if things go wrong (which they often do!).

In fact, I'd start in your back yard (your own or a friend's) or car-camping in a nearby state park. Some of these trips should be done in inclement weather.

OK, First of all, I doubt you can get past the gate with a one way ticket. Check with the NZ consul. I have no idea where you are from, but if you are an American, that is likely the case. You will need a passport and visa. Not hard to get, but you need them.

Second, anyone who told you NZ has "moderate weather" has either never been in the mountains on the South Island (or most anywhere else on the South Island for that matter) or has a funny idea of what "moderate" means. I know this from personal experience; I used to live there. I've seen it go from t-shirt and shorts weather to blowing snow in a matter of hours (Milford Track). Granted, that was back in the 80's, but I would bet the weather hasn't changed much, even with global warming.

Third, get yourself a copy of Tramping in New Zealand (Lonely Planet) and a couple of good guidebooks - LP and Insight have good ones. I used all of these to plan my first trip there. There are many websites with NZ info and tourism is big business there, so planning is fairly easy.

Moderate climate and safety? That's more likely to be true of California, sorry. Not that any wilderness is particularly "safe" if you are not prepared and done your homework.

First, get some experience at home, as B said. You'll want to know your gear works for you first and foremost before you get into the wilderness and try to depend on it. Particularly the boots.

The links on the main page of this website are a good start. There are plenty of good backpacking resources for you. Check out Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpacking Book if you have a short attention span. Look at Colin Fletcher if you are wanting to be thorough. Then dig in to some good books about backpacking in New Zealand to check out the regulations and see what's out there.

But, for successful adventuring - experience should be first on the top of your list. Short and easy, at home. Boring as that sounds. Unless suffering and increased risk is what you consider adventure.

I agree with posts above. I didn't see these questions answered so I will take a stab at them.

I'm not sure what you mean by medication and travel. I guess you mean prescription medicine? You should bring the medicine you need with you. If you run out or it gets lost you work with the local resources available to you to get equivalent replacements. Go to a local pharmacy and see if they will accept a prescription from a your doctor in the US, otherwise go to a local doctor. In third world countries you probably won't even need to get a doctor involved. Just walk into a pharmacy and ask for what you want.

As for bathroom breaks... they call them "catholes". You dig a little 6-12" deep hole with a trowel or locally sourced stick, make your deposit, and then bury it. It is good to have a little hand sanitizer to maintain hygiene afterwards.

FYI, check out the weather and SAR reports on the AP website -
http://www.softrock.co.nz/mg/index.php

BTW, I'm not trying to discourage you from going; I love the place, but if you aren't prepared, it could be the last place you ever visit.