Whether a novice or an old hand in the recreational activity of backpacking, the “what to bring, what to leave home” essentials are crucial for the veteran and hiking rookie. Starting out for the first time, it’s best to cruise websites and online group listings like meetup.com or Yahoo! to find a group usually open to newbie hikers. How to pack, though, is as individual as you are—but ground rules on what goes in still applies.