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I advise against an axe. Useless, imo. I know you are an axe guy Cliff. Listen to Merv. Go easy and build up to it if backpacking is her ultimate goal. Shoe, I can't stress enough on footwear. Get them way broken in before you go our on those 2 mile or longer hikes. Blister, the weight of the pack and still have to get to your destination or going back to the car will be a real btich. May I suggest car camping in some areas a few hours nearby and hike out a few miles from there to get her feet wet. This will be a good time to get her used to carrying her own siht, and break in those boots. She will learn real quick to not bring the blow dryer or make up box. I always bring a shovel. Hell you can even sharpen one edge to protect if you ever get attack by a giant Potato big. Backpacking means one must learn to pack light and bring all essential items. There are these two person tents for backpacking. They are extremely small. So small that you can only crawl into them. Good one are not cheap, but make sure she understands that. Being cramp and dirty after a long day's work on the trail then setting up in the dark and cold is not always fun. I am sure you know about that.
WE never bring a stove. Up in the Sierra, there are plenty of down wood you can use. I brought along a small pot that I always attached to the outside of my pack. We dig a little ditch and stack small stone under there and stick small pieces of wood to for cooking. On the pot is blacker then black at the end of the trip.
I will trade you my kids (2 boys) for your wife. I can't seem to get them interested in going on a short backpacking trip. They watch too many movies and are scared of God only know what.
Oh a shovel can be used to put out small fires before they get outta control, hack up some dry wood and use as a walking stick. Tarps, man. Tarps. I with Merv on this one, but I know my girlfriend was having none of that when I mentioned that to her. They make a great clean place to sleep and keep the moisture out. Those tarps keep my fat ass dry in some of the nastiest rain storms in the back of Mammoth.
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