I have to say, as a dad and a husband, I might have done the same after so many days, even though one would have to think that searches would intensify as time went on. It helps reinforce for me that if a situation is looking bad - snow falling, unfamiliar road, conditions worsening - there comes a time when you just have to turn around, lest you reach a point of no-return. I assume, though nobody has said so, that there was no cell service in such a rugged area.

Sobering event for the holiday season - his family and co-workers at CNET appear completely shattered.

The lesson may be, as you say, stay with the boat. They found the car much quicker than they found him...