What character flaws resulted in the deaths of Hal, Charles, and Mercedes? What qualities enabled Buck to survive?

All three of these people were clueless about the dogs, the North, and dog sledding. They were cruel and irresponsible with their dogs. They had no idea about what provisions to take or even what baggage to take. They were stubborn and simply made bad decisions. Their collective ignorance is both painful and sad to watch. One day Billie falls and cannot get up. Hal kills him with an ax and cuts him out of the traces. The team knows this fate approaches. The next day Koona goes, but the five remaining struggle on, despite their serious pains