Your first night out does not need to be far or fancy. Pick a site two or three miles from the car, check the forecast, and pack these.
The essentials
Shelter, a sleeping bag rated 10°F below the forecast low, a sleeping pad, 2 litres of water plus a way to treat more, a headlamp, a map you can read without signal, and one more warm layer than you think you need.
Do not buy it all yet
Our complete backpacking kit rents for $110 a weekend, and if you buy any of it within 30 days the rental fee comes off.