I realize I have a lot of friends right now that go hiking. I want to start doing this as I cannot go camping in the winter. Looking for good places to go to start getting some stuff together for it ie boots first. Can anyone give me a quick list of the must haves for hiking and places to go for good starter gear?

So tomorrow I go camping, which is totally awesome...but I want more. I have weekends off so anyone that wants to go camping/hiking..for an over night or a leaving Friday and coming back Sunday morning or night let me know. I have all my own gear and I want to do this a bunch this summer/early fall...I just have no car.