i know i am a complete rookie on this board but not to backpacking. i strongly recommend a nice sleeping pad. i went from the traditional therma-rests to their ridge rest when i got married and my backcountry nights sucked. i then switched to a big agnes insulated air core pad and it's a game changer. i have never slept so well in the outdoors.
i also picked up a gregory palisade 80 which was another great upgrade.
tent: older mountain hardwear room w/ a view. i've slept in a couple of the new big agnes tents and they're very nice.
pack: i take my normal hip / shoulder pack w/ me. it's redundant as my gregory pack has a detachable top portion but i don't like to reorganize.
stove: still have a msr whisperlite but those snow peak pocket rockets are great and incredibly easy to use.
camp life: i always have a folding chair, p cord for a clothesline, msr dromedary bag for extra water, pur hiker filter, wax/lint fire starters, and biodegradable wipes. whiskey is another must have. sometimes when i am lazy and use iodine tablets i like to use gatorade, kool aid, or crystal lite packets. usually on short trips i pass on big messy meals and stick w/ backpacker meals just so i don't have to clean dishes.
wish list - gravity water filter. pumping sucks and so does iodine. i've used the steripen w/ good results as well.
