Be prepared by carrying emergency gear like MPI Outdoors' emergency strobe light, emergency space blanket and emergency sleeping bag. The stuff is so small, each fits into your pocket. Don't go anywhere without water. Better still, if you're a purist with a thirst for a taste of the place you're hiking in, carry a water filter or purifier. Portable and unlikely to leak, filters are the choice of serious trekkers.
Blisters can ruin a hike.
Good socks and well-fitting shoes are your best preventative measure. Crescent Hosiery Co. and Columbia Sportswear have teamed up to introduce the most comfortable, high-performance line of socks available. Central New York is one of the rainiest spots in the Northeast, so it's a good idea to pack raingear. Since you'll be hiking in a highly civilized area, you want to look good, too. Columbia's Omni-Tech rainwear collection meets both requirements.