I didn't G.R. Martin's (or the OP's for that matter) full book, because if i want to do that, I might as well open a copy of one of the "Song of ice and fire" books.
But I already notice one thing the moment I came to that part:

"I was digging a ditch, when a hunt started."

At that point you should've taken your arse out of that ditch and face the wolves in the open.
You claim the wolves were upon you right away, but that's not true either.
Up to now each and every event I've dealt with - including multiple hunting wolves - the wolves always started a bit away from me, actually giving me the time to prepare myself for a fight.
It's for that reason I have put my food, my health potion and my stamina potion under hot keys. As that works a lot faster as opening my inventory, move the mouse pointer to what I need and click at it.

Ever since the start of this game, you're told to be prepared. You weren't and thus you died; blaming game mechanics for it.

I just hope you learned your lesson and made sure you got quick access to food, stamina potions and health potions next time, as those will save your arse. No matter if that arse is inside or outside a ditch.....


Thorin :)