OP, welcome to The HUBB.
I really don't want to sound unwelcoming, but your question has been asked and answered at great length lots of times by lots of members, experienced and otherwise. Beginning with a site search and perhaps some other reading on your own will help you narrow your focus. That, in turn, will help you frame better questions--asking "what type/size" and what "other gear/kit" is rather broad, to put it mildly.
One alternative: start with a book. You'll probably want one (or more) anyway, so nothing is lost by getting ahead of the curve. Chris Scott's books cover the territory pretty well.
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
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