I wonder if Mr. McClatchy had a map and compass with him, or if it even would have made a difference. Thoughts?

Impossible to say. Lost people often do things that would appear irrational or inexplicable to others. The first most important thing to do when lost is to stop, organize your thoughts and make a plan. But panic is a powerful force that is difficult to resist once it begins to take hold. A panicky person could easily forget they even had a map and compass.