Take items that can be used for comfort at night. These include inflatable mattresses or pads, temperature-appropriate sleeping gear and mosquito nets.
Pack items that will make it easy to cook and clean up after meals. Portable gas stoves, mess kits, easy-to-store utensils, small containers of dishwashing liquid and a cooler for perishables can turn your campsite into a kitchen.
Take comfortable hiking boots and light clothes that can be worn in layers. For colder weather, wear an inner layer of clothes that fits next to the skin. Mid-layered clothes include cotton pants and long-sleeve shirts. Insulation-layer clothing, for very cold weather, might consist of a wool or fleece lining. Examples of outer layer clothing include lightweight parkas and Gore-Tex jackets.
Work your way up to the more challenging venues. If your wife has never left home without a complete wardrobe, she probably is not ready to sleep under the stars in the Appalachian backcountry. Instead, go to state park camper cabins, which are rustic enough to be enjoyed by outdoors enthusiasts and also have features such as climate control, kitchens and bathrooms.
