Which of the following describes Chris McCunn's actions that show improvisation in the wilderness?

• A. He returned to civilization
• B. He built a shelter to wait for rescue
• C. Wanted to shoot pictures of wildlife
• D. He signaled with a flag from the plane

Answer: (C)

Improvisation in the wilderness means adapting on the fly and using whatever you have in creative ways to engage with your environment or keep moving forward. Wanting to shoot pictures of wildlife shows this kind of flexible, inventive mindset: it’s choosing a spontaneous, engaging activity that makes use of observation, curiosity, and available gear rather than just following a fixed rescue plan. It reflects thinking creatively about how to spend time and interact with the surroundings, which is a hallmark of improvisation.

The other actions are more about direct survival or standard rescue attempts. Returning to civilization is a straightforward decision to abandon the wilderness, not a creative adaptation. Building a shelter to wait for rescue is a practical survival move with a clear purpose, and signaling with a flag from a plane uses a conventional method to attract help rather than showcasing inventive, on-the-spot thinking.