Terrain: Short, sheep-cropped grass is the comfiest option.

Contours: Be prepared to compromise. Flat land in the hills is often boggy ground – always choose a lumpy site over a soggy site. If your site is on a slight slope, pitch so you sleep with your head uphill; if you pitch side-on to the slope you may roll against the side of the tent and allow damp through.

Wind: Your first instinct will be to look for shelter from the prevailing wind. But don’t forget that in winter such areas are more likely to accumulate snow and so be prone to avalanche; and in summer, they’ll sport a higher concentration of midges than a breezy spot. Consider how your tent copes in windy conditions – for example, you might decide that it’s worth putting up with a few gusts to gain the great views of a high pitch: a decision that’s fine if you’ve got a decent tent that’ll stand up to the wind, but one that’s foolhardy if not. And look at the contours that could funnel the wind into higher speeds: a col is often much windier than a neighbouring summit.

Sunshine: When will your potential site benefit from the sun’s rays? For example, if it’s the end of a long day and you can’t wait to slump into your sleeping bag, then you’ll probably appreciate the warmth of the morning sun more.

Weather what’ll happen to your site if it takes a turn for the worse? If a strong wind whips up? If there’s a deluge or a heavy dump of snow? Or a thunderstorm? If you’re backpacking for a few days, and so haven’t an up-to-date forecast, these questions become more important.

Water your site should be within easy reach of a clean water source, unless you’re prepared to carry sufficient supplies with you. For advice on finding clean water, see pages 38-9, Trail July 05.