That did strike me too. Setting out into 100F with less than a (US) gallon of water, but a selection of knives ..

Although if he was 50 miles away from the trail he was planning on, I'm not sure how much he was really relying on the phone either.

It does smell to me more of something I see a lot "outdoors" that isn't uniquely American though - the idea that you just need more kit to solve problems. Knowing how to use it is unimportant, planning ahead is unimportant, being more prepared simply means buying more Stuff.