As a photographer, I can tell you myself, leaving behind that equipment is like ripping off your right arm lol (It's definitely worth at least attempting to save)
Yeah the tripods aren't THAT worth it.. Lol. I did get your point though; Another thing I've always wondered is about those reality TV survival shows. I feel bad for those cameramen xD
Especially the guys who film naked and afraid, we see the blurred version of those unwashed people lol they are not so lucky! FYI don't google naked and afraid pics...shudder....