Everything I ever needed to know I learned climbing Mt. Katahdin.

At the University of Maine, Orono, in the l970s, the Student Activities Office used to sponsor trips to Mt. Katahdin. They needed “student guides” – defined, basically, as anyone who had ever climbed the mile-high mountain and had a free Saturday to do it again.

In serving as a student guide, you got the satisfaction of knowing you were assisting other students have a worthwhile, horizon-expanding experience. They also gave out what we would now call gift certificates to the original Pat’s Pizza in Orono. In that order of importance. I promise.

I did seven climbs. It was fascinating who would go, and why.

Ten lessons.

Lesson 1: Be Prepared

It was amazing. Some people would come in shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes. No backpack. No food. “Isn’t there a snack bar at the top?” one person asked me once. “Yes,” I said, “but it may be closed today. And last time they were out of Ben and Jerry’s.”

Lesson 2: Know Your Weaknesses

Some people had no business being there. They were out of shape physically, or not mentally prepared for hardship, bad weather, etc. They just signed up and came because it “sounded like a cool thing to do!”

I find people in politics are the same way now and then. They decide to run for office with no plan, no backers, no volunteers, no experience, no money. Run anyway. And expect you to do all this for them!

I only loaned boots to one hiker. Never again.

Lesson 3: Set a Goal. Stick to the Goal.

It was fascinating to see people who would turn back and head back down the mountain – or want to – at the drop of a hat, or the drop of a raindrop.

Then there were folks who agreed to go up one trail, then to another, then to have a rest break at a prearranged spot, only to change everything, or try to, as they went up. Never mind that they were to meet people at different spots.

Some people are ideological and activity drunk drivers.

Lesson 4: How You Face Adversity Shows Who You Are

It’s discouraging to see how many college students had just not been prepared to deal with unpleasant things. Cold weather. Blisters. Broken Coke bottles (back before plastic dominated!).

For some, if one thing went wrong, the trip was over!

I always figured they would end up being bad employees, bad marital partners – and bad teammates in over-30 basketball.

Lesson 5: No One Likes a Whiner

At some point in life, hopefully we all learn to suck it up, deal with the bad, keep it to ourselves. Only tell someone who can help. Not the guy standing next to you in the checkout at the supermarket.

Had I known then what I know now, I would have approached the pebble-in-my-shoe people (usually from out of state – honest!), and said, “We are in for a long day. It can be good or bad. I am prepared to deal with rain, cold, lightning and snakes. Those are out of my control.

“You whining? That is within my control. You have 30 seconds to decide if you can throw yourself together and be a pleasant dance partner for all of us as we climb one mile up, and one mile back down. Starting now!”

Lesson 6: Be a Team Player

If you have extra water you don’t need, and someone else is thirsty, give it up. If you have extra socks, and someone else is getting a blister or has wet socks, ditto.

We actually had a mother from out of state drive to the park and catch up to her daughter one-fifth of the way up the mountain to give her extra trail mix and Gatorade. Arrgghh!

And some of the kids who watched this had neither. It drove me crazy.

Those people were concerned about three people, as Packy McFarland used to say: I, me and myself.

Lesson 7: Don’t Make Excuses

You forgot something? Blame yourself. Fell down and hurt your ankle? Your fault. No one else’s. Forgot a rain hat? Back at ya. And on and on and on.

What a lovely, morale-building experience it is to be climbing a mountain with someone who deals with adversity well and makes clear that they made their own bed and will now lie in it.

Lesson 8: Take Time to Smell the Roses

It always surprised me the number of people who would climb Katahdin and not bring a camera – and also not want you to stop periodically to take the breathtaking photos that are available on that climb.

If a tree falls in a forest and there is no one there to hear it, believe me, it makes no sound! And if you don’t have a souvenir photo of your day in Baxter State Park, I hope Kodak shareholders sue you. Shame on you!

Enjoy it – and remember it later on!

Lesson 9: Push Yourself

Try a different trail than before. Try to climb a bit harder or faster than before. Sleep in a tent this time, not a cabin. Keep a journal and don’t just blow up and back.

Many people in life just phone it in – even some of those climbing Katahdin. I always liked people who were repeat customers. They had active minds, and probably active, enjoyable lives.

Lesson 10: Want to Learn About Someone? Climb Katahdin With Him/Her

A guy once said he would never hire a car salesman for his auto business without first playing golf with him. He said you get to know a guy on the golf course. Is he pleasant? Is he courteous? Does he cheat? Can he be trusted?

Fair enough, but I think taking someone to climb Mt. Katahdin is even better. Future college roommate? Future husband or wife? Future business partner?

I think people can fake it for four hours on a golf course. On a full day climb up and down Mt. Katahdin? Nuh uh.

Wish I could tell you how many people I have vetted on the mountain. But I can’t. It’s top secret. I will only reveal it if you waterboard me. And then I would make up names just so you would stop.

Dan Warren is a lawyer and a resident of Scarborough.