Mad_Mat wrote on Apr 20^th, 2010 at 1:25pm:

In part, that's mostly because I tend to travel late, and if I hit camp at between 5 and 7 pm

Totally agree with you.  Solo paddler late in the day gets to land wherever is available.

Not sure about the "better site" concept.  Depends on the size of the group.  Comparing a site with one good spot to pitch my shelter vs. a site with 4 good spots to pitch my shelter.  Both have met my need for a good pitch.  Three extra pitch spots that I'm not going to use does not improve the 4 spot site for me and may be a detractor depending on the overall state.  Once I meet one criteria I move on to the next.
1.  Good tent pitch, level, well drained, not in a floodpath.
2.  Appropriate shelter/exposure depending on the season/conditions, breezy if buggy, sheltered if windy/rainy.
3.  Nice view, good sunrise or sunset view, good sky view.
4.  Reasonable bear bag options.
4.  Nice firepit.