>>84809my tips are:
put twice as much insulation beneath you than above you (you don't have sleeping pad on your list)
you can cut the weight of the mess kit by learning to eat with your knife and wooden spoon
don't use gps, follow established trails for start, then learn to use map and compass, take cellphone with you if the area has service - for emergency calls
my personal preference is to use canvas tarp instead of waterproof one, because it can be turned into bivvy bag and not condensing moisture
I don't imagine carrying empty water bottle bigger then 1L, I have this 3L container (for day time cowboy drinking)
my general advice is: do not seek advice over the internet, get basic items, and normal clothes and start to go /out/, learn to make fires, one day hikes at first, then take blanket/sleeping bag, tarp and learn to set it, if you feel comfortable stay overnight, do it for some time then start doing few night trips, repeat
take friends with you, company is the most valuable thing on the trail in my opinion
everything comes with time, you don't need fancy equipment, normal items do the same job in 90% and are 60% cheaper, you want to invest in skills and experiences, not gear
it only makes you rely on it too much
