Tips:
1. Keep you pack light - 40lbs or less - and you'll enjoy the trip more.
2. Don't drink water without treating it first, either with a filter or iodine tablets.
3. hang your food every night or you will eventually lose it to bears or coyotes. (or bring a bear canister)
4. freeze dried food, power drink mix, powdered soup mix, granola bars, trail mix, etc. These are good energy foods that are relatively light and small.
5. Carry one set of light rain gear, good hiking boots that have been broken in first, just one or two changes of clothes. Clothes are heavy and take up lots of room in the pack. Baseball cap to hide your messed up hair and block the sun.
6. other basic supplies: knife, matches, map, compas, GPS if you have one, tent, tarp, insulite pad, sleeping bag, first aid kit, sun block, sun glasses, rope for hanging food or a bear canister, mess kit, biodegradable soap and toothpaste, toothbrush, camera, gloves (if you plan to hike to the top of half-dome when in Yosemite!), money.
7. Another note on the boots. Make sure they are comfortable and wear two pair of socks. Maybe even buy some nice used ones. Blisters on day 1 will ruin your trip. Tennis shoes don't provide enough support for your soles or ankles.
Have fun!
