Ever since my first hiking trip, 'first trips' are often the most exciting. Exploring the same old grounds week after week can get tiring (my opinion). The anticipation of going to a new territory builds up as soon as you read about the place you are about to conquer. I guess reading about how challenging a mountain or landscape is gets you rearing to go. As much as th build-up of excitement makes it interesting, safety is prime. Once in a while news about hikers trapped or needing emergency pull-out  come up. Most scenarios are because of natures unpredictability and sometimes because of hiker's arrogance and ignorance (dangerous combo).

Basics should never be forgotten, early this year one group went up the wrong way and ended up lost. They were rescued with 2 hikers having broken legs and arms. Another fatal adventure was when adventurers don't bother with the weather report. This time there were 2 bodies to bring down both dead from hypothermia and exposure. 

I guess things to learn from these unfortunate incidents would be to remember the basics: compass and map reading, sign-in at local government (-informing them of your timetable and approach on the mountain even where you'd be setting camp) and weather (news).