And I have seen this mentioned but it is one of my favorite mini scenes, when they get to the second camp and Jack finds that white thing they use as a bench (what is that?, wood or a animals skeleton?, Ennis was clearly reaching out to Jack but its hard to tell if he was touching Jack or that thing. Still that was not too long before TS1.
I love this mini-scene, too. I've watched it closely, because first I thought Ennis would help Jack with carrying the log. But he isn't. I'm with jpwagoneer on this: he gives Jack a pat on the shoulder.
You're also right about sitting very close while eating the elk. I don't think their knees touch, but almost.
While typing your reply came in:
To me that tiny scene is so significant because to me it shows how much Ennis was changed, from not being able to make eye contact and barely being able to speak to Jack to being able to reach out to him like that.
Yep. Isn't it wonderful? Ang Lee did a marvellous job showing their growing friendship and affection. And how Ennis relaxed around Jack. So many little things: sitting near each other, the most Ennis spoke in a year, their joking with each other "Tent don't look right", and on and on.