In my opinion ...
1. Research
2. Risk Analysis
3. Planning
4. Training
5. Experience
6..Packing
7. Caution
8. Versatility
9. Contentment
10. Humility
That is an excellent bit of writing.
#7. I recall searching for water on a mountain top and there was none. I was looking farther down over the edge hoping for a seep and it was getting steeper and steeper. I distinctly remember thinking, "I'm thirsty now but I'm not a paraplegic, I prefer thirst"
#9. You will never be content with what you get until you learn to be content with what you have. Contentment is a learned skill.
#10. Greatness is born of humility, which is born of arrogance and foolishness. Stick with life long enough and you will come to humility.
Very good list.
Mac
ETA - I think of wilderness survival skills in this order...
MEDICAL-SECURITY: Obviously if you are having a medical emergency or are under threat from someone, something, or a wildfire/flash flood, this will be your top priority. If such is the case you won't have to weigh its importance in the relative scale of potential harm.
FIRE-SHELTER-WATER: For a healthy person who is simply lost or must spend a night out these three problems could all vie for most important depending on the circumstances. Solving these three problems puts you into a stable camp that will enable you to rest and resolve to stay and signal or navigate your way out.
SIGNALS-NAVIGATION: These allow you to end the ordeal either by attracting attention or self rescue. Both have the potential to solve the problem right away or avoid the problem entirely.
FOOD: Foraging, hunting, trapping, fishing, eating grubs and bugs etc are very fun and rewarding but food is not a killer in your first two weeks unless it is very cold or you have a medical condition. If you have been in a situation for a few days and think it is likely that you will be in it for another week then food will start to become an issue. Mac