If Burt was to hide something, he probably would not write it down. He is more of a straight shooter. (ouch) in addition, the rescue of Burt occurs before Michael gave the order to keep journals. We even get a Michael voice over narration that these events were reconstructed.

Yea, just another of my conspiracy theories. Makes as much sense as my mixed metafores...

What is the sound of one palm tree falling in the woods if the only one there to hear it is a bear crapping?