Good advice Fletch, the "hand" of the camera is really the most important. If you fight the camera you will find no joy.

I am a Nikon guy that switched to Fuji when I went digital. I like the ruggedness of the Nikons. If I where to get in to something tame like wedding photography or portraiture I would use cannon though.

A slr as you suggested though I would think would be too much of a hassle for an amateur who is backpacking. Imo.