>>1715693This.
>>1715258Also, don't wear cotton, bring your shoes inside your tent at night (or under the vestibule), don't sleep in the same shirt you hiked in, check for ticks at least every evening, make sure you're not sleeping downhill, bring a compressible backpacking pillow, use a groundcloth of some kind, don't put yourself in a position where you have to set up your tent in the dark, stay away from low areas and don't camp near creekbeds, don't camp under dead trees or limbs, if you're in the Rockies in the summer do your summiting before noon, drink more water than you think you need to, always know where the day's water is coming from (carrying? your car? purifying from a stream?), eat a handful of raisins at every meal to keep you regular, in freezing temps sleep with your waterbottle in your bag, wear sunscreen even if it's cloudy, if you wear prescription glasses don't forget to have a backup pair, always have a rainjacket or poncho, always have a stocking cap, always have some kind of sleeping pad, remember you'll probably get colder than you think, until you know the ropes it's better to have and not need than need and not have, take every effort to stay dry, synthetics are your friend, don't eat in or near your tent in bear country, bring a portable battery charger, take extra maps, tell someone where you're going before you leave and how long you plan to be gone, don't hike in areas with huge equestrian use if there are other options -- in wet climes they destroy trails and create confusing new ones, don't over-exert yourself, don't throw rocks or boulders from high places unless you know with 100% certainty no one is below, when you cross a large creek always note if you'll be able to cross it again when flooded -- bad personal experience on this one, always have at least two sources of light, always have a first-aid kit, and finally: stay vigilant.
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