I love hearing about the positive effects from difficult events like the pandemic. I'm glad this is inspiring you. I got very inspired as I was building it too. Working on it brought out some enthusiasm I haven't had in a long time--really since I first started coding for fun. There's something about integrating the two hobbies (dev & backpacking) that really invigorated me.

Have you done any overnight camping before? REI has some good resources[1] including checklists for gear. I bet you can find some good YouTube channels too with camping tips too. Watch some of those to get a sense.

I'd recommend starting with a single overnight. Find someone experienced to go with if you can. If not, find a trail where you stay close to the trailhead. That way you can bail if you need to.

Some other tips that come to mind: - Consider the wildlife in your area and whether you need to bring bear spray and hang your food (and any fragrant items) - After each trip do a little reflection. What did you bring that you didn't need? What did you need that you didn't have? - Make sure you carry enough water. Most people need about a half liter per hour during moderate activity in moderate temperatures. If you want to rely on natural water sources, you will most likely need a water treatment device. Also consider that some lakes/streams are seasonal and not always available. Do your research! - Read up on Leave No Trace principles so that you can conserve the outdoors and make sure others can have the same enjoyment[2].

That should give you a good place to start. Feel free to reach out with any specific questions. I've been thinking about sharing more camping/hiking resources on my website.

[1]: https://www.rei.com/learn/c/camping/t/skills?ir=category%3Ac... [2]: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/