plane in the lake will still be easily visible to anybody who happens to fly overhead. He finds the perfect location for a shelter in the "the far side of the ridge," where the rock has been "scooped by something, probably a glacier," leaving a convenient cave perfect for a shelter.

The second problem that Brian solves in chapter 6 is the problem of how to acquire food. He is extremely hungry, and his stomach seems to be "twisting and growling." He also feels very weak because of his hunger. After thinking for a while, he decides to follow a flock of birds. They lead him to "some taller willow type of undergrowth," and he sees that the birds are gathering there to eat berries. He runs over to the berries and starts eating them "by the handful, grabbing and jamming them into his mouth and swallowing them pits and all."

In chapter 15, Brian is recalling the day of "first meat." He recalls being plagued by a craving for meat, something different from the fish he'd been able to eat regularly up until that point. He was constantly thinking of meat he had eaten at home, turkey, pork roast, anything. So he was determined to figure out a way to catch and eat one of the small birds he'd seen so often around the lake. He felt like they were so stupid that he was immensely frustrated that he couldn't kill them.

He eventually realizes that he needs to look for the shape of the "foolbirds" instead of their color and that he can get close enough to try for them with his spear. He manages to kill the third one he comes across and is ebullient at the taste of the meat after he brings the bird back to his camp and cooks it over the fire.

In chapter 17 of Hatchet, Brian finds himself in a difficult situation. His camp has been severely damaged by the tornado, and his injuries prevent him from moving without pain. Yet, he still has hope. Now that the tail of the plane is exposed, he hopes that he can get in there and find the emergency survival pack.

After constructing a small raft and painstakingly making his way out to the wreckage of the plane, Brian finds that he has a big problem. There is no way to get into the plane. All the doors and windows are submerged under the lake. He considers diving underwater and getting into the plane from there. However, he would then be trapped inside. Brian is further disturbed by the thought of the pilot's body still strapped into the cockpit below the water. He does not want to get stuck inside the wreckage with that.

Yet, the prospect of getting the survival pack is enough to keep Brian motivated. He dives under the surface of the lake several times to search for a way to get in. However, the water is too murky to see very much. Brian can't find an obvious way in. Although he is close to it, it seems that he may never be able to get the survival pack.

Brian used logs that had branches protruding from them instead of clean logs, so he could bind them together more easily.

Brian needed a raft to reach the plane, where the survival pack was waiting for him.  He knew that he would need to make the raft himself, but he was not sure how.  Brian was able to find the logs, but he wasn’t sure how to combine the logs into a raft.

Keeping them together was the problem. Without rope or crosspieces and nails the logs just rolled and separated. He tried wedging them together, crossing them over each other—nothing seemed to work. (Ch. 17) 

Brian decided that the problem was that the logs he was looking at were smooth, and he needed logs “with limbs sticking out.”  He found some like that, and proceeded to “weave” them together.  He named his raft Brushpile One.  Then he had a new problem.  How would he keep it from floating away? 

Then he remembered his windbreaker and he found the tattered part he used for an arrow pouch. He tore it into narrow strips and tied them together to make a rope or tie-down about four feet long. It wasn't strong … but it should hold the raft to the plane. (Ch. 17) 

The other problem Brian had, once he solved these two problems, was that the raft barely moved.  It was dragging from its weight.  Brian decided to be patient, and turn back and try again in the morning when he had more strength.  Building the raft had taken a lot out of him. 

Brian’s work with the raft demonstrates a great deal of personal growth, which is something even he realizes.  He understands that he needs patience. He is able to stop and notice the beauty of the lake.  Brian is able to put things in perspective.  He is thinking about solving problems, and able to find solutions, without getting as easily frustrated as he used to.

Brian solved his problems through a combination of skills, ability, knowledge, determination, and luck.  In different points in the narrative, he was able to either use his resources to help him survive or was the benefactor of situational good fortune to assist his cause.  For example, it was his knowledge that enabled him to become a good fisherman, refining the spear so that he could catch more fish or build the food shelf to keep his food away from the animals.  It was luck that he was able to land the plane in a clear portion of the forest away from dense foliage.  It was fortunate that the tornado ended up tilting the plane, but through his ability to swim was he able to fish out the survival pack.

Yet, I think that the one underrated element in his entire narrative was Brian's use of mental toughness in helping him survive.  I think that the reflection that Brian underwent about Mr. Perpich's words helps to set the stage for his survival throughout the work.  Brian was able to control the situation and better understand his own condition as he reflected about Perpich and the lessons he taught, which suddenly enter Brian's frame of reference at the moment they are most needed:  "...a guy named Perpich, who was always talking about...thinking positive, staying on top of things."  Brian is able to solve many of his problems from this point by "thinking positive" and "staying on top of things."  In this incremental and positivist approach, Brian is able to endure the challenging trials of the wilderness and eventually triumph over them.