I got into backpacking in 2014 when my younger sister decided to join me on a week of camping in the mountains.  She knows Yosemite (I had never been) and said she would handle the plans for that part of our trip.  Little did I know that meant backpacking.  She borrowed a backpack for me, had the stove, etc.  I had a 6 ft. tent, not the right type of clothes/shoes and the type of food you take car camping.  It was a 1.2 mile hike from the parking lot to our campsite.  I looked ridiculous!  People would stop and ask to take a picture of me or with me. Luckily my sister picked a campsite with bear lockers. It was a tough hike carrying nearly 70 pounds!!  But I did it. The next day my sister took me on a “little hike”. We hiked Mt. Hoffman – all 10,850 ft. of it!! I was hooked that very day!  🙂