The male loneliness epidemic isn’t only about the lack of romantic relationships.

It’s about a generalized lack of connection between men and other people, a lack of community where they can find support when times get tough and where they can find meaning by helping others.

I’m not too savy on the social context in the far west, but I’d wager that although there was a lack of women the relationships between men would be very strong. Since the environment is hostile to human presence (lack of water, infrastructure, no large settlement or very far apart at least in the beginning) men would need to rely on others for help very often.