With all respect, I think judgments are highly premature and rather inappropriate. There were well trained searchers in the air and on the ground, but they had only had a very vague sense of where this person might be -- all they knew was "last seen somewhere around here somewhere, maybe." In BC backcountry, with tall fir and heavy underbrush, that is truly a needle in a haystack.

Details are unclear about the "road." Since this person had to foot-slog for 15 hours to find a logging road that was in actual use, it's reasonable to infer that he was on a goat path.

We are of course hoping for more details. Did this individual made any effort to be more visible? A brown van hardly sticks out in winter with snow and trees all around. Add some snow on top and it's perfect camoflage. But this is only speculation.

The takeaway, to my mind, is that staying put with a vehicle as shelter, access to water, and a bit of food extended the chances of an individual with no real experience. The walk out could have been fatal; but a win is a win.