I looked up a full article.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/26/hiker-lost-on-us-mountain-ignored-calls-from-rescuers-because-he-didnt-recognise-the-number

He did lose his trail, but wasn’t at the point where he wanted to call for help. It looks like he wasn’t aware that, if a lodge host at popular hiking spots asks about your plans for the day, it isn’t just small talk.