LEAVE NO TRACE (geargrrl gets out soapbox!!)
drags out very large soapbox.....graphic alert too.
Oh, yes ABSOLUTELY pack
everything out. The only exception is poop. Really. We even pack out used TP and all our garbage including food scraps. If you are in an area that allow fires, burning some kinds of trash is acceptable, but leaving semi remnants in a fire pit is not. I am a staunch believer in LNT camping. We don't make fires at all, and I even pack out used menstrual supplies. ( I know it sounds gross, but it's more gross to find someone else's stuff that an animal dug up and has been dragging around)
Here is a link to Leave No Trace Principles
https://www.lnt.org/programs/principles.php
Why leave no trace?
-TP does not biodegradeable. We spend a lot of time in areas that allow NO fires, so burning is not an option. Animals will dig it and drag it around. TP roses are disgusting. I'd rather double bag it and carry out than to run across someone else's used paper in the backcountry. Which I have, more than I like to admit.
Fire rings - big no no, as a "white man fires" Nice little utilitarian fires have thier place, but building big fire rings ( especially when there are ones already there!!) decreases the wilderness experience.
People will think, oh, just MY little pile of TP doesn't matter, MY firering is ok, MY garbage won't matter. But you see - most places get more people in them than you can ever imagine. So, one person really does make a difference. We do a microtrash patrol before we leave a site - every little scrap, thread, used match, bits of foil, EVERYTHING we can find gets packed out.
putting soap box away...
Gear - go as light as you can. There are many good sources out there but it's easy to carry way too much. The new technology is so much better - an example being nylon hiking pants instead of jeans, or nice supportive light hikers instead of big leather boots. Think of multiple uses for one item, and bringing a minimum of clothes. You do not need a clean shirt for every day. All the little things really add up. Even the pack itself can be too heavy.
Sierra Club, REI, many places offer backpacking clubs, outings and classes.
Don't over do your first few hikes.
I used to do a ton until my knees quit cooperating! Have fun.