I'm a new cacher also. I spent 2 days playing with my new GPSr before I went out. Then I logged on and discovered there were 2 caches hidden on a local hiking trail I was familiar with. I found both (With the help of ZORRO and Bess) within 2 hours. At one point I had to put my GPS down, and let it rest.
I carry a small backpack with; First Aid kit, multi tool, long tweezers, camera, pens, paper, my caching journal, and snacks. Bessie the Wonder Dawg carries her own backpack with her water and snacks, ZORRO packs the 3 liter camel.