"Going solo is taking a risk, even on a day hike."

I concur with Doug's comments he took a big risk by travelling solo and not have a proper emergency plan in place. Its odd up here we teach drinking 4 to 6 litres of water each day in the wilderness and that you will need more in hot dry areas like the southern US. Its a sad day when a someone takes a chair with him on his motorbike and leaves out enough water to survive.