I direct your attention to Adder's post #225.
I understand it. But I still say he likely never saw the road. IOW I doubt he made it too far from where he walked off. BTW Cove areas along the edges have some of the more dense foliage. That would also limit his movement. Creeks in the area mean Laurel Slicks too and the stuff is nearly impossible to walk through. Actually you do better crawling.