One thing I don't believe I've seen (esp in relation to the Kim situation) is.... if you decide to walk out and aren't sure exactly where you are, follow the road back the way you came.
Kim is estimated to have covered something like 18 miles. He was about 23 miles up the logging road. (I think these figures are close to correct, w/o checking) IMHO, if he could make it 18 miles under the cold & wet conditions, he could probably have made it 23 miles back to the main road if he hadn't had to fight through brush, loose rocks and getting wet. The road tend to be smoother than crosscountry, and you know where it goes.
p.s. for Ranger Rick. From all the laws in Italy, it doesn't sound like you would be lost for long... just cut a tree down and build a fire!
Sue