Want to start backpacking

[OwenM]

Wow thanks guys! I am in Northeast Alabama, so I have some nice mountains and hills to try this out on

You've got good options for dayhikes and short backpacking trips close to Gadsden, and a whole lot more if you're willing to drive 2-3+ hours.
Little River Canyon, Desoto State Park, and Desoto Scout Trail by Ft. Payne, Buck's Pocket State Park between you and there near Grove Oak(check out the falls at High Falls County Park, too). Walls of Jericho from Ft. Payne/I59 NW through Scottsboro on 35N to 79N on the TN border. Cloudland Canyon, Trenton, GA, and then a whole plethora of stuff on the Cumberland Plateau W and NW of Chattanooga(fantastic area).

 

[pinnah]

Read The Complete Walker by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins. It's the most comprehensive book on backpacking you can find, IMHO, everything you need to know about gear, diet, conditioning.

^^ This ^^

 

[65steve65]

Little River Canyon is next on my to do list!
then the Walls of Jericho