What's the plot in to build a fire?

A young gold hunter leaves to go meet some of his friends, abut a day's march away. He ignores the advice of those with more experience, thinking that he can make the march and meet his friends for dinner. He does not see the seventy degree below temperature as a problem. He leaves, has difficulties (falling through the ice, for example), and ultimately has to stop and finally builds one last fire, only to see it dampened by snow from the overhanging tree. He lays down to die by freezing and the dog moves on.

Doesn't he have sons though? And a wife at least?