The not feeding didn't bother me as much as I know when the body is hurt it is better to fast to not put more stress onto it. You can go a while without eating. He should have at least drank something though.

That's a very good point with the story probably being some years old. It may have been updated for the movie. I just find it a significant point - as it shows that when you are in the wilderness, no cellphone can help you if you don't have reception. There are people that go hiking in the hills with sandals, and suddenly there is a snow storm, and they think as long as I have my phone with me I can call for help.

Apparently there was also a famous case in (Western) Germany in the Fifties or Sixties, where at Easter a teacher went hiking with half of his class. The weather was nice in the morning but suddenly there was heavy snow and they all froze to death.