Eh, that’s an awful drag. I hate to hear that has happened. On the up side, at least it’s a chance to find some newer-generation gear. Seeing as I am a PacNW local, I know pretty much exactly what you need. Or at least, what I would need. And that refrain goes like this:
The Ariel 75 Backpack
My favorite packs these days come from . Love the Ariel 754,400 cubic inches in small, designed for women, with fabulous suspension, excellent gear organization. Pretty light at 4 pounds, 10 ounces. And at $280, not a bad price, either. My close second choice, ‘s Deva 70 ($290). A little heavier pack (5 pounds 5 ounces), and more heavily built. In my view, a pound in pack weight offers you several more options in terms of what you can carry comfortably, so keep that in mind. Try both.
Boots
So may to choose from. I really like ‘s Stynger GTX ($195), a boot that is light but tough, waterproof, and built for a woman. Perfect for a light person and a moderate pack. Or try ‘s Blue Ridge ($170), or ‘s Kailash GTX ($185). Fit is foremost, so find a good boot-fitter and try on several.
Stove
Well, there is the white gas vs. canister question. But I like ‘s Whisperlite Internationale ($90) for overall ease of use and reliability. If you are solo camping, then go for the ‘s Personal Cooking System ($100).
Wet-Weather Gear
This one depends on budget. If limited, Precip Rain Jacket ($99) is very hard to beat. If you can go for it, get ‘s Shuksan ($289), which has the most excellent eVent fabric. Men’s cut only, but for a rain jacket thats okay.