Seven Lessons Learned from George Donner:

Protect your assets:  Never risk anything unless you are prepared to loose 100% of it. Our travelers risked all of their possessions and family members.  In the end, they lost all of their possessions and most of their family members.  Before you begin anything important, always count all of the costs of the venture.  I know people who mortgaged their home to save their business and now live with relatives.  Men and women have lost their spouses and/or children by allowing themselves to be consumed by a profession.  Protect that which is irreplaceable and most valuable to you.