It sounds to me like she was in way over her head as far as having any survival skills. So she did what she had been told--which is when you're lost just stay put until someone finds you. Not a bad plan really.
I just don't see how someone starves to death in 26 days. Even without food, it would be rare to starve out in that time. Also, a desperately hungry person usually starts finding something to eat in the woods, even it were only crickets and worms and such.
And no sign of a fire? Why wouldn't even the most ignorant person light up a fire and try to smoke in some help?
Six decades ago (in boy Scouts), I was told that one could generally survive 3 days without water and 30 days without food.
