Chris McCandless Pictures
84Chris McCandless Pictures
Chris Mcandless was a young man, who decided to give up his life savings and head off to travel throughout the US, and especially Alaska, to live off the land. He met many friends during his journey, some he shared a few hours time with, and some he spent a few days with. One of these people was a James Gallien, who drove him into Alaska. Gallien was concerned that Chris's gear seemed excessively trivial for the harsh conditions that he would face on the Alaskan trails. He said that there was "no talking" Chris out of plunging into the wilderness and that Chris couldn't wait to get started.
To some people McCandless might even seem a little spoiled as he had been raised in the comfortable, upper-middle-class town of Annandale, Virginia. His father, Walt, was an aerospace engineer ran a small and very prosperous consulting firm with his mother, Billie. There were eight children in the extended family: Chris; a younger sister, Carine, with whom Chris was extremely close; and six older half-siblings from his fathers first marriage.
Some of you know of him through the telling of his story in the Jon Krakauer bestseller "Into the Wild." His story will also soon be a feature film, directed by Sean Penn. After a long, philosophical journey from Virginia to Alaska, he died from starvation (or poisoning depending on who you talk to) in an old Fairbanks City Transit Bus about 25 miles off the Parks Highway just outside Healy, Alaska.
For those of you who don't know the name Christopher McCandless, a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp (a nickname Chris gave himself).
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Comments
Never a more true statement has been spoken
It is heart-breaking that the entire message of this story has been lost to both of you. I don't think anyone who ever properly considered this story really imagined that death is the ultimate universal tragedy. Death is inevitable. Wasted use of life is worse. Take another look, something more tragic is happening everyday, and something more beautiful is happening in this story.
i live in alaska, this guy is a nut job. in fairbanks is known to get in the -45 F temps in the winter but in the high 80s in the summer. good movie though i thought
I too lived in Alaska (Fairbanks) for several years so I have some experience on the matter.Forget for a moment the pain and suffering that this guy put his family through and think for a moment about the bigger picture.As I stated I lived in Alaska for several years and can tell you that the place is no more dangerous than anywhere else unless you engage in the kind of nonsense he did. I wonder about the father of three who may have been on a rescue team to go in and save that guy risking his life to do so. Or how about the pilot of the search aircraft who has a wife and parents at home, dying in a plane crash he would otherwise not have died in if McCandless had known what he was doing and could take care of himself. There is nothing wrong with the lifestyle he was leading but he should have taken the proper steps to learn what he was doing. Especially given his education, there is no excuse. For example, Dick Proenneke lived in the Alaskan bush for almost thirty-five years and did quite well (read the book "One Man's Wilderness). He was 51 years old when he went. Life brings enough unexpected turns that you are unprepared for. Why create more? Why create more that directly affect others? I hope some mother in Portland, Maine or San Francisco, California doesn't have to deal with the overwhelming grief of a phone call from the state police telling her that her 19 year old son is dead from similar circumstances because that kid idealized this guy and followed in his foot steps.In the end, what I despise most, is the selfish way in which he conducted himself. Apparently having no regard for anyone but himself. But that is the fantastic and tragic nature of our dualistic and often complex American culture. We have the freedom to do whatever we wan't regardless of the consequences. However, if we have learned anything from the scientific revolution that could and should be applied to everyday life it would be stated as thus "Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should". If you went into the bush during that time of year with no experience, no provisions, no assistance, no map, little or no food, improper equipment / clothing, etc. I would indeed classify you or anyone else engaging in such folly as a certified "nut job".
I feel for the family, what he did was selfish indulgents, even if it wasnt a street drug, nature was a drug to him. the things he did that hurt his closest people, disapering for periods of time, but then again, I think the guy loved the kindness of strangers more than his mom and dad. I also feel that people should not share there nasty name calling shitty comments there making about chris. I personaly hope hes treking the forests in heaven. god bless his family.
This guy was an idiot. Quit trying to make a myth out of him. Sounds like beazelbud is in need of a little mental health treatment as well. Grow up and visit Alaska in the winter, then talk to me. Once you get some real experience on this matter you will quickly change your ill informed tune.
Chris's life had nothing to do with being a nut. He lived and died the way he wanted. We should all be so lucky!
If you read the story you would see that in fact he was fully prepared and did very well except for one mistake of keeping his food in a damp cool place he fully intended on living after this and did not die the way he wanted to though. He was a human who did what he believed and made one mistake that cost him his life.
Markum:
I have read the story. If you call going into the Alaskan Bush without proper clothing, proper tools, a proper caliber rifle, no woodsmanship skills, no map, etc etc, etc, then maybe you should aviod straying too far from downtown Miami or Dallas, or whatever suburb you grew up in. For someone like that Alaska is dangerous. Period. He made many more mistakes than food storage. He had no idea how to preserve food in the Bush. Which is why 99.9% of the Moose he killed became rotten. Tragic. One final note on this idiot and his preparation. Had he carried a simple road map (free in most states at welcome centers) he would have been able to walk out of there within a day or so. Who dies of starvation within a one day walk of a primary highway. A fool of course.
Okay, for one, have any of you douche bags attempted to say "fuck Big Brother" and live on your own...INDEPENDANT????? No, you haven't. You're all a bunch of inbred idiots who can't appreciate a man for doing what he wants. He knew that he may not make it out alive, and WAS educated on Alaska. Read the book "Michigan Mike" (Illinois Rocks!!!!) You idiots can sit here behind your computers and talk shit about Mccandless, but in reality, you're jealous of his accomplishments. He went through with the unimaginable, and he lived how he wanted. If you all want to hug each other and talk about how horrible this guy was, PLEASE, sit back and look at yourself.
Sincerely,
Brandon Artis
By the way "Michigan Mike", who are you? Are you one of these guys who go to Houghton once a year for a week and think that he is "roughing" it??? I know you are, it's okay. That's all I can imaging by looking at your screen name. Grow some fucking balls and respect a man whom, yes, was young, but still went for his dreams. The guy wasn't ill prepared, he ran into misfortune with the mold on his seeds and that's what did him in. Show respect.
markum,
You quite obviously have no balls. I'm sorry that I didn't notice this before, but I've been talking to you like a man. Go talk to the rulers that be, in your life.
I think maybe your missing the point here. Yes Chris was nieave and unprepared but he went in knowing this, that was the point. Chris was at a point in his life where he needed to understand himself work out what was driving him away from humanity. This is nothing new, all youthful idioligist go through this. The only real unfortunate thing about this entire incedent is that I feel Chris finally got it when he wrote Happiness is only Happiness when you share it. He figured it out, and faster than most people his age would have done through the normal maturing process. I dont idolize Chris by any means but I do respect that he had top do this his way.
I have read the book and the various comments posted here and on other websites. As a father of three living in corporate america I think that young adults should go out and see the world. However, as parents we try to teach our children to be prepared, I give Chris credit for going out on his adventure, I do however think he was careless and sometimes stubburn. R.I.P. Chris
Artisimus:
Don't Illinois me with that nonsense. I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska for many years which included a year on my own IN THE Bush near Stevens Village. If this idiot wanted to be reckless, suicidal, or whatever he was, fine. He needed to go jump off some cliff or eat his own gun, but when you involve others in your little "adventure" you are just plain selfish. Curiously enough, I am still here after my year out there. I was no expert.
Wait a minute, I took the time to learn the basics. I didn't hope I would make it. I knew I would. I guess midwestern suburbinites like yourself need heros so bad you are willing to create them yourself. Pure fantasy and self indulgence. What about all the guys that went out there and made it? That doesn't make for good copy because they wern't dumb enough to die in the process. I am just glad nobody died trying to rescue this idiot.
Chris was a man who did what he wanted to do. He did it on his own and doesn't owe anybody a damn thing. He could've cared less for our opinions, our praise or our condemnation.
This man wasn't a nutjob, a he was an innovator. Someone who tried to prove that man couldn't survive like our ancestors did. We rely to much on technology to live our lives. And Chris tried to veer away from this poisoned society and live how people lived in the past. if only he had a map...6 miles down stream from where he died were cabins filled with food, and a basket and cable to cross the sushana river. Regardless, Hes made me think.
I find myself somewhere between all the opinions stated...I think that any excursion into territory like that should be adequately prepared for, however, that's not what this kid was going for. I agree with the assessment (especially from the movie) that he was running away from something. But I also think that he did, in his own way, what we all do in one way or another, which is find himself. He attempted to figure out who HE really was, aside from all the outside influences in his life. Even if that was triggered by a bad homelife, even good homelives produce people who set out to find themselves. I think ultimately, what he realized, (which is evident through his encounters with others along the way) is that he DID have that altruistic, passionate , "go for it" spirit we all long to have but he had it (and who HE was) long before he reached Alaska. In the end, he realized what everyone else in his journey already knew, that happiness, and "being" comes from not only sharing your adventures with others, but sharing the bad stuff too, and making it through. Running away is not the answer, and neither is sitting their apathetic while your world falls down around you. We do need to be so bold as Mccandless to do such things, but we need to learn from his "heroistic boldness" that walking into the wild "of life" means being prepared for the consequences. Even when it means that we are close to help or rescue but choose to ignore it. I'm sure we've all been guilty of that. I don't necessarily praise the man for what he did, but I admire the passion inside him and agree with the conclusions he came to, many of us never experience that in all our years. And that is the true tragedy.
Hey douchebag mike. You are giving our state a bad name. Why did you come into a site displaying pictures of this nut job you can't stand so much. His story hits home with alot of people. The idea that maybe the life of having a career, wife, kids, structured lifestyle, hustle and bustle, soccer moms and suv's isn't the way god intended us to live. The greed of this country is insane. But the one treasure of our land is by far unappreciated. I think that was what Chris was about. I am of the opinion he could have at least contacted his family, but i see no other problem with what he did. The man was warm in that bus, he died of starvation. What proper Cabela's, Gander Mountain gear could he have brought along that would satisfy you MixMasterMike. You are a tool. If the story didn't resonate with you. THat's fine. But why go off about how stupid he is all that. Go live your life. Chris wouldn't give a shit what you think. And neither do any of the people who were touched by the story. People like you are the reason this man went to live in the woods. I think I'm done. Thank you very much.
Be it here that I say,,,, Alex Supertramp met I at the Range in Slab. He told of his travels and his journey he planned to the North. His battle with structure and society as it was headed for self destruction. He talked of survival off the land and how the Indians needed little more than Rocks and sticks to live. He talked of native people in Alaska that lived off whale fat in the winter. Alex was my friend and his name is forever on my skin. Come to the slab and meet me and others that can give you insight into why. God Loves You......DJ
Be it here that I say,,,, Alex Supertramp met I at the Range in Slab. He told of his travels and his journey he planned to the North. His battle with structure and society as it was headed for self destruction. He talked of survival off the land and how the Indians needed little more than Rocks and sticks to live. He talked of native people in Alaska that lived off whale fat in the winter. Alex was my friend and his name is forever on my skin. Come to the slab and meet me and others that can give you insight into why. God Loves You......DJ
Well put Michigan Steve...he wouldn't give a shit about ANY of these half-witted 'opinions' or what people thought of him and his exploits. All men are the way they are for a reason...whether they be wife-beaters OR spend their whole lives working towards the well-being of others...we turn out the way we do for a reason. He had his reasons for making the decisions he did (good or bad, it's not our place to judge)...we couldn't know unless we walked in his shoes, or knew him as intimately as his sister. I admire him in the way that he DID follow his dreams...he wasn't fully prepared (obviously). It's heart wrenching what his parents went through..but again...you didn't walk in his shoes or know what he lived through to make him the way he was...maybe his Dad abused him when he was a child...we only know what the books and media tell us..we weren't in Chris's head. And for those of you who insist on calling him 'stupid' or a 'nut job'...I feel sorry for you people, going through life so narrow minded and one dimensional just to face REAL judgement when your day comes. God Bless you Chris
I think everybody here is completely missing the point. Everybody is failing to look at it through the eyes of Chris, and instead are only thinking about what they would have done. He wasn't an idiot; he wasn't a nut case. He was a classic example of a brilliant person who is trying too hard to understand the world. And nobody has the right to say how God is going to judge you, mountainape. You aren't scaring people into thinking about it the way you do; you are only assuring that they become even more entrenched in their ways.
Michigan sux.
Well put Erin. In the film Wayne even tells him that he shouldn't dig too deep on these issues he was fighting with inside. But he did learn alot of important life lessons his college education obviously wasn't giving him. He intended to leave, but couldn't because the river had risen. I just hate it that people would watch the film or read Chris's story, come to the conclusion that he was a nutjob, and then take time out of their day to bash someone who is no longer here on earth. It is pointless. The man didn't know that there would be a book, film, news stories of his journey. He was a kid. He was a kid from a broken home with serious issues he was dealing with. I just wish he would have made it out. And Flea as someone who has lived in Michigan my whole life. It does suck.
I think the bottom line of the story, is that Chris found the peace he was looking for, and honestly, I do not believe he did so in vain. I think that it must serve his family some sort of solace seeing so many people inspired by the story. And that in itself is beautiful. As for namecalling and bashing others, Im not willing to get into that, but I will say that it shows immaturity and an inability to thrive in society...
It is so sad to see people use this shallow language. If you have an opinion, voice it but have respect for Chris, others and yourself. I think we can afford that much. I'm not sure what to think of Chris but I respect him.I do think he was careless and inexperienced to survive in the harsh environment of Alaska. Perhaps his heart was stronger than his head. Just my opinion. R.I.P Chris.
My apologies..I don't recall saying HOW God was going to judge him. Scaring people??!!...whatever..I think Erin is missing the POINT?! I agree he was intelligent...apparently in ways more than others..obviously he wasn't that intelligent when it came to preparation for his journey was he?...He wasn't that intelligent on figuring a way to get out of that place was he? He wasn't that intelligent on selecting the proper foods to survive on was he? If that's your idea of intelligence, it's no wonder you don't agree with anyone. You basically just said what I did but 'tried' to sound more 'intelligent' about it. I'm just trying to make a simple point here....no need to over-analyze things. I guess we're all entitled to our O-P-I-N-I-O-N-S....as long as everyone agrees with them, right? Jeez...get a job..or a hobby...something
Chris was not a nut. He was a man who lived life without the trappings of this cesspool of a society we have created. I could only hope to have the strength and vision to give up all the garbage of modern society. I make an attempt to do so a little more every yr. When I read chris's story it changed my life. I am a minimalist and strive to some day live off the land. granted he may of been a little unprepared, but he did live in the wild for 3 months with no problems! he is an inspiration to me and no one will ever convince me otherwise. the society we live in sucks and anyone who beleives slogging to a cubicle evry day adn driving a fancy car and wasting time on material pursuits is an idiot...period!
uumm..has NO-ONE read the book "Into The Wild"? Mountainape?
He didn't die because he was incompetent or unprepared.
He ate seeds that had a poisonous mold growing on them..and I'm pretty sure that no matter how prepared you are, or how much food you gather, that is something that could have happened to anyone. Not only that, but he tried to leave a month before that, but the creek he had crossed when he first started on his journey had swollen. He was just waiting to be able to leave when he died from poisonous mold he couldn't see.
And I do have hobbys, thanks very much. I go to school every day..come home..soccer..violin..piano..homework..read..work on becoming fluent in French.. and other various things.
I don't recall telling anyone that they aren't entitled to their opinions. If you want to sound like a child by telling people that they're narrow minded, be my guest. But insulting people isn't very diplomatic, I'm telling you..
Oh, and I know how to spell o-p-i-n-i-o-n-s but thanks for your concern over my schooling .
Erin---
The book was Krakauers opinion on what happened. The toxicology tests came back inconclusive on any type of poison.
Nobody really knows for sure what happened...its all pretty much speculation. That was a matter left between Chris and his Maker.
Thats what kills me the most about everyone arguing over him and his fate. The only thing anyone really has to go by, is what other people have to say, and what his journals had to say. So, the arguing is for the sake of just that...arguing. There is always something good that comes out of something tragic, and unfortunately the human condition chooses to focus on the negative and we forget all about looking at the bigger picture.
I think Chris' message had a lot to do with the bigger picture...and we still fail to recognize. Its unfortunate.
i had read the book several years ago and was a little cautious about seeing the movie. i didnt want the 2 to conflict. i have been reading so many different opinions about chris- about how insensitive he was or how irresponsible. it saddens me to think that someone who didn't know chris or what his family life was really like would judge him. just because you are raised in a wealthy family doesnt mean life is picture perfect. in fact it so often means that the money is a great cover-up to all the problems hidden under the surface. if you learn one lesson from anything that chris did, i think that in the end its all about forgiveness. yes he was gone for years without calling his family- in anyone's eyes that can be seen as irresponsible and cruel. but he could have gone a different route. one that so many people choose to take. so many people turn to drugs or addictions to mask the issues that they have in their life including the relationships with the people around them. in the end it never fixes anything and more often than not destroys not only the person but all the people around them. chris did what he did because he refused to live the life of his parents. and i think all of us as kids have vowed that at one time or another. he wanted life to be as pure and simple as possible. when you leave college so many of us are brainwashed into getting the 9-5 and wearing the shirt and tie. we close our minds off to anything illogical or dangerous and take the safe path of life. and i wonder how many of us in the end will wish we had done at least one thing different, exciting or just a little bit risky. chris took chances. he pushed himself. but i think he also ultimately became a man when he took that first step away from his car. he made so many friends and i am sure changed the lives of those he met. but in the end he learned his biggest lessons. to forgive. that love is only great when you can share it. so while it may have been too late to physically make peace with his family, when he died i have no doubt that he forgave his family and ultimately learned to love his parents.
Who cares?
I find it interesting that so many people cite not having known this guy as justification to say that doubters don't have a right to an opinion. Yet, of all the people writing here, I sincerly doubt anyone actually knew the guy. But positive comments do not appear to draw the same fire. You cannot have both ways people. Just as the folks citing negative comments have no real understanding so too the folks citing positive comments have no clue either. No one camp has the corner on the moral high ground. Lets not get misty about this.
Erin, you live in a happy dream land. Eating the wrong seeds is being unprepared. He didn't do his homework. Excuses, excuses, excuses. The book was marginal at best. Lets avoid making a myth out of him like he is Billy the Kid or some kind of folk hero.
RC
Whatever...thought I'd pop in here to share some of my own views and opinions on the way I see things...guess that's not allowed...only if it matches what 'Erin' thinks. I'll bow out gracefully and leave these BS forums to all you smart 'thinking' people (Erin). Doesn't matter what I say to people like Erin..it'll never be right...you have your views and I'm allowed to have mine (last time I checked it was a free country?) You keep giving yourself a BIG pat on the back for ALWAYS being right...you're the greatest. You should concentrate more on what the actual topic of this is about, instead of trying to make everyone else look inferior to you. You'd almost swear you knew this guy the way you talk of him...you have it ALL figured out don't you? Oh...I did read the book...and as for your definition of 'unprepared'?...would't it be considered unprepared to not be knowledgeable on the type of wild foods your eating?? Every post you place is full of contradictions and psycho-babble BS...WOW!! As for crossing the river..I have no Alaska training, but I have lived in the Territories and have EXTENSIVE wilderness camping under my belt, and I know FOR A FACT that I could have gotten across the river (he could've too)...he did pretty good kayaking the Grand Canyon Gorge...didn't he now?!...again, UNPREPARED!? I admire Chris for what he did...definitely....he's no hero...pity the people who need heroes as quoted by Galileo...doesn't stop one from admiring his dreams and his pursuit of them. I think Erin's biggest hero is Erin...you have fun and be kind to yourself.....I'm outta here...going to get ready to canoe the Maitland River tomorrow!! WOOHOO!! Peace out Erin...go bake some cookies or something...later
Rich Ct has it all right ... chris was a man who beleived in simplicity in the world... someone who rejected societies ideas on happyness and success.... maybe he wasnt an expert on outdoors... but he knew what made him happy in the end..
Flea A:
Jesus, learn how to spell man. Go get an education. I hate that "grunge" english.
I have read what all of you have to say about him and what he did . I believe that everyone has a right to there own opinion . But what it comes down to is that he went and tried to live in a place he didn't know or understand fully . No one has the right to judge someone for living there dream, even if in the end it is your dream that kills you !!! I think what he did was very dumb but admirable . I feel for his family and friends that never got to see him again . But he will be remembered for what he did and the guts it took to live in the wild !!! He in alot of ways touched my life and I never even met him. I just wish that more of us could have the courage to follow our dreams !!
I remember seeing an article in a magazine about 10-12 years ago, in a doctors office, it was a magazine like People or Macleans. It had a picture of him in a sleeping bag, and from what I can remember it looked like skin pulled tight over bones, and he had a can of something in his hand with a spoon sitting in it, it was very sobering. I am surprised that nobody has posted them.
Roger,
Why don't you post the pictures.
Thanx for that Mountainape. Just posting here to see if you were wondering what I was going to say back to you.
I've decided...nothing..because you sound like you are an adult..and since I'm still in high school, you must have a much more extensive knowledge of the way the world works.
hmm think I will bake some cookies. Want some as a peace offering?
btw, why aren't pictures posted?
Indeed why aren't pictures posted.
I don't care if Erin isin High School. He seems pretty sharp.
Mountainage seems pretty defensive and also quite sensitive.
who is the one they call t
Would loath every one of you for being so gullible and swallowing the bait of the writers and the movie producers hook line and sinker.
You've made the writer of the book and the movie producers richer and more famous, which Chris was against and you've made fools out of yourselves for buying into the hype.
You who are insulting or so selfish with your opinions of Chris... It was not YOUR life... You people are the ones he wanted nothing to do with... Some of you say "Well I live in Alaska and..." IT doesn't matter where you live or if you hunt or have a cabin 200 miles away from anything... You can still be an ignorant asshole and still be just as blind to the world that he saw... Just because you know how to live in -45 degree weather doesn't mean you know shit about LIFE... It only means you know how to live in the wilderness... It speaks nothing of your mentality or perceptions of life... How dare you call him stupid or a nut job for doing what HE CHOSE TO DO... He wasn't crazy... He didn't say that the sky was falling or that cows can speak French... Was he ill prepared? Yes, but it was HIS risk! I detest the ignorance of people such as yourself... It only goes to prove that YOU are the ones who have NEVER lived... In his dying days he wrote on a notecard, "I have lived a happy life and thank the Lord. Goodbye and may God bless all!"... You COWARDS! You dare say anything about someone alone and dying that still took time to write such a thing? You have NO idea of his life and his intentions of how HE CHOSE to live his own life... You wouldn't understand. At the very least, just shut your fucking mouths and keep your insults to yourselves.
What makes this story a "story" is the ambivalence of it. Part of you says, "The guy was crazy; I would never do that; he deserved what he got." Another part of you says, "I admire the guy. I wish I had the cajones to do that." We are a society that enjoys living vicariously through others. And it all comes down to respect. We must respect Chris for his beliefs and choices (bad and otherwise). Yeah, there's a handful of people who think Chris was a whacko who deserved to suffer as he slowly starved to death; there are those who admire him, even without knowing why. There are those who want to admire what Chris did without some guy who may have spent some time in "the bush" getting on his self-righteous Jim Beam crate and telling us how he is Grizzly Adams incarnate. Let's respect the guy and tolerate the media hype (tv, magazine, book, film). In a way, aren't we all taking the same risk as Chris but in different realms of what we consider reality?
Jason: You idiot. You didn't know the guy. Calling him him "Chris" like you grew up together or something. You have no clue. And for you Troutbum, I would rather listen to somebody who has done it (and has the experience to back it up) than someone who hasn't.
Giving up everything to live like a tramp is the easy way out. Try dealing with this fucked up world everyday and meeting your responsibilities / dealing with all the stress and problems. That takes guts. This guy was a coward and took the easy way out. Anyone can run away.
Iron: What responsibilities did he have? He had NONE. What was he running from? NOTHING. I'm sorry I didn't give you some I-can-relate-to-Chris anecdote so you'd listen to me. I did some similar shit when I was younger, but not nearly to the extreme as Chris. Your tone is obviously dripping with negativity. You're one of the many who does not see the value in life and instead only sees what is not there. You're an inspiration. Did you know "iron" isn't flexible and rusts easily? Good name choice. Maybe you should read the book critically, assuming you read it all.
I read the book and thought it wasn't that great. As with many people posting here you missed the point. He didn't have any responsibilities because he chose not to accept them in the first place. That's the point. Negativity, no. Realism, yes. I just don't see what is so great about saying I won't work. I won't have contact with my family. I won't pay my fair share of the load such as taxes. How much money did it cost the Alaskan officials to remove his remains out of that remote area? Thousands. Did he pay for that? No. The people of the State of Alaska paid for it. Unless you live up here you people in the lower 48 just don't get it. But people like him live in a very neat little pay later society if they pay at all.
It seems like every year somebody like that comes up here and gets hurt or dies. You wan't to go on an adventure? Grow up and live life like the rest of us.
You know Iron....Hundreds to thousands of people flock to Bus 142 every year. Now all those people have to spend money in Alaska. I am sure that area is making a pretty penny off of Chris's excursion and death. So don't go playing the state tax card. It's a stupid argument. This story is very polarizing. I think everyone has conflicting views about it. One thing I still can't understand is why someone would take time out of their day to bash someone who took a chance and died. How much peace do you think his family gets if they read these posts calling their son a coward, nutjob, whacko etc...? The real cowardly thing to do is sit in front of a monitor sniping at someone who is no longer here to defend himself. I am sure that in all reality, parts of the story are wrong. And i am sure that we don't know nearly everything that led Chris into the woods. There are those who think he shouldn't be called a hero and he was a whacko.. Blah, blah...My hero might not be your hero, and yours may not be mine. No sense in the hate.
Hey Iron...Are you a supporter of the bush administration. The same people that say if you want healthcare in this country you should get a job. Let me clue you in you f@#$ing lamebrain. In 1776 our country signed a document called the Declaration of Independence. Freedom, get it. I know you and your president have forgotten about Freedom, unless you are using freedom as a way to send our young people into danger everyday. Chris didn't harm anyone. He intended to leave. He didn't go to denali state park to die. He wanted to leave. Get it!. I try to be tolerant. Did your mother have any children who lived?
Iron: Alaskan sanctimonious bullshit. You need to take some analytical reading lessons, because you totally missed my point. We all pay taxes for stupid shit... like the war we're in for instance. My point, if you even paid attention, was that the story makes one feel ambivalent about CM. That's it. I don't condone what he did; niether do I condemn what he did. It's just an interesting story. I have a wonderful family, job and hobbies that keep me more than happy. I pay my taxes, most of which I see flushed away, but I keep my chin up for the sake of my young son. I'm living the adventure already, and I don't have to sit at a computer and type negative shit to make my pathetic self feel better. "I think Chris McCandless was an idiot; I must be a redneck."
HEY MichiganSteve THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, WAS NOT SIGNED IN 1776!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris McCandless died tragically. Of this, there is no doubt. The specific circumstances surrounding his death, including its true cause, will never be known. Conjecture is pointless. Subjectivity is an aimless waste of mental energy. One must focus on the objective data if one is to extrapolate from this saga a legitimate relation, whatever, to the enigma that was Chris McCandless.
Good call louisiana...my bad. you get the point though? Some say he was born out in texas, others say he was born up in maine. I just say he was a louisiana man, the leader of a steel driving chain gang, the leader of a steel drivin gang. Had to do it.
Chris's experience was an American existenial tragedy.It would be best not to romanticize his adventure or his beliefs,but rather to place his life in the context of self-exploration and an irresponsible and self-destructive search for truth.
The difficult thing is not finding the truth,it's having to find co-existence in our
society with it.
This man.. as he wish to be called.. Alex Supertramp, had more courage and will then most people can even fathom. Not only did he have a dream, but he conquered it, he over came all of his fears. Most people are to busy with everyday life. This is something we need to respect and learn from. NOt ridicule and romantisize. He should be thought of as a role model of the human race, he had all the characteristics and a truley loving human being. Love drove him, not the wild or freedom specifically, but his LOVE of those things, that most people take for granted and some, dont even know exist. Think as he would think, this man loved hard and strong. His death was a tradigity, but im sure, especially with the success of "Into the Wild" , that his dream has touched so many... and tought people how to love. I know that movie touched me, and now his story, his legacy, and has honestly tought me that life is valuable... not just being alive compared to being dead, but life, living, feeling, loving. And if his story has changed my outlook... its changed thousands.
His story is about love.
Nonsense, shallow hero worship, and silly self edification. Just because you have the freedom to do something doesn't mean you should. That is not negative but realistic.
Listen to how silly you folks sound with words like legacy, courage, inspirartion, etc. Sitting at home typing nothing but glowing reviews of this guy's life serves the same supposed purpose as typing what might be called negative. If it didn't make you people feel good about yourselves you wouldn't post it.
And for you Trout, I have no religion or political affiliation. Sorry to ruin your carefully crafted sterotype.
I guess nobody here can identify with making selfish decisions. I also guess nobody can identify with the power of change when a person realizes that the choices they had made were not so great. I can see the good and the bad in the story..... I draw hope and inspiration from it, and I also identify with the dark and selfish side of the story. I think the reason it touched me so much was because the story made me feel every emotion there is to feel. From complete anger, to hope, freedom to lonliness, joy to despair. CM was just as human as you and I. I think the power behind the entire story is just that.
I do not think it was love that drove him. I think it was fear and ego, disguising itself as love. We have all been driven to do some pretty stupid things wrapped up in some sweet sounding "save the world" type of motive. Its hard to believe that the root of his actions had to be love. Love forgives and faces thier problems, fear allows you to justify running away from them.
Let's see, the guy goes off into the Alaskan wilderness to live off the wild. However he lives in the only man made object for miles, an old bus. Does anyone else see the irony in that? This kid was no hero. I am not saying what he did was wrong, to each his own. But honestly, what did this guy do that makes him heroic. As far as I can see he went somewhere he knew nothing about, tried to lead a lifestyle he couldn't handle, and died in the process. The only thing that remotely wasn't selfish was him giving his money to a charitable organization. And in that event, even that money was just given to him. It wasn't his own hard earned money. Seems like a guy who never had to work for anything in his life and didn't know the meaning of a hard days work.
After watching the movie,I see a lot of my son who is autistic(hi functioning) and was missing for nearly two years living on the street even to this day by his own choice.If the actor who portrayed Chris in the movie expressed his behavior then theirs a chance that Chris was to.My son for example is very very smart,studied books on street survival etc.For me I see a lot of my son in Chris and have so much compassion for what their family went through.If they ever read this I would love to share the similarities.My son comes home ebery couple of weeks or so now,and I try to persuade him to stay....My heart goes out to anyone going through this.
It seems to me that everyone of us has been affected by this story, no matter what each of us feels about the situation. We all find ourselves feeling strong enough to write, google, and respond. I know that it is easy to have opinions using logic, and rational these tools offer an opinion of arrogance, ignorance, and childishness. If we tap into other parts of ourselves the parts the propell us to comment, then the feeling of ambition, freedom, and beauty take over. What I think is amazing about this young man is his ability to believe in himself enough to journey without fear, to ask life questions and demand a response. In hindsight everything is clear, easy, and logical, but in a moment it is simply courious wonder. His journey was one about the spirit, not only about the land. The land was a tool, one he did not completely understand yet, does anyoone really??? What is unfortunate is his realization came with tragedy. I agree with most of you who say that his was ill "prepared" but I also know that we all journey without preperation in life!!! That I guess that was the point how many of burn money and denounce our possessions??, but to journey without anyone to share it with, was the lesson. I guess what I'm trying to get to is that we all can take something out of this.....whatever you have learned whatever advice you'll give or take in, the point is that his story made you feel something. His death has not fallen into grey as most of us will perish. His journey has left us with colour even though it may be red in anger, or blue with tears or white with wonderment. He makes us feel and that IS truly a blessing. Thank you for being.
Rest in Peace Chris!!!!
EyeRon Sighs: "If it didn't make you people feel good about yourselves you wouldn't post it." A little irony there, don't you think?
No one said you were affiliated with anything. Nothing was "carefully crafted." Your kind sticks out like... like... like a Fairbanks bus stuck in the wilderness.
I saw some pic a guy took of his sitting in front of the bus while he camped there. I agree, stuff like that is whacked. The guy who sold shit on ebay from the bus. That is whacked. It's just natural selection Iron. Let the chips fall where they may. I was just raised to respect the idiots as well as the... non-idiots.
Peace.
inittowinit.......you are not very perceptive.....i urge you to peruse the comment in which you stated that chris "didn't know what hard work was." surely you jest...
Both sides are right in this discussion.
McCandless was both an idealist trying to connect with nature, understand the world a little better, and find a place for himself in or out of society, as well as an unprepared and naive aspiring outdoorsman.
That he broke off ties with his family is not for us to judge, he may have had his reasons or just needed some space.
That he formed but the most ephemeral relationships with people he met on the road may have been a function of his personality, a desire not to get too tied down, or the realization it would be wrong to become entangled with people and raise their expectations as he did not intend to stick around. It says something about Chris that to a person, everyone he met in transit was left with a powerful and positive impression of this spirited young man.
To live in nature you must respect it, and either McCandless didn't realize how deadly the Alaskan outback could be or did and wanted to face it with the most minimal assets and know-how. Either way, he is responsible for what happened out there.
One thing puzzles me- I grew up in New York, and upstate, we have some wide, hard flowing rivers. At my youngest age, I learned if you can't ford a river at one location, follow it up or downstream and there's a good chance you can find a more convenient passage. I gather Chris did not perform this most basic exercise when he reached the swollen Teklanika.
Finally, it's clear to me Chris's journey brought him spiritual contentment, though it ended most unfortunately.
How many of us can say we achieved the kind of happiness that McCandless apparently did?
alexander supertramp lived an awesome life. it doesn't matter why, and i don't care how it ended. when he was alive, he was ALIVE and that is most admirable. some assholes want to think they are somehow 'better' at being alive, but death isn't necesarily a bad ending. dying doing what you love, even if you die because of your own ignorance is MUCH more honorable than dying because you drank too much beer your whole life and got cancer and took it out on your kids or women or some shit. i love the guy and i wandered around for about 10 years myself. i did stupid things and thank something i'm still here to do more. it's REALLY hard to get an ID when you don't have a birth certificate or social security card. good job buddy! i honor your big spirit! may it soar in freedom!
Elston_Gunn - Surely you jest. Are you saying that because he gave up his money (that he didn't earn) and lived a life where he had no real responsibilities, he knew the value of hard work? If he really wanted to help people, why didn't he focus his attention on trying to solve many of the world's problems? Yes, he gave his money to help people, however, why didn't he invest that money in himself so that he could have provided greater returns and benefits in the future for more people. Instead, he perished young, and who knows what his potential was. I think a lot of people look for some greater meaning in this rather than just accepting he was a kid who was angry and his parents and the system for whatever reason and died trying to rebel. If it means something to you, then fine, you are obviously trying to find meaning in a story that has none. I hope you find it and it brings you happiness. Just accept I am on the other side of the fence and see nothing heroic about him. I will accept your view as contrary to mine.
inittowinit.....there are many flaws in your thinking. the money that chris donated to charity does not speak, whatever, about his work ethic. chris's work ethic was highlighted, unmistakably, in the work he performed for wayne westerberg. chris chose for himself the most disgusting and painstakingly tedious chores on wayne's farm. chris loved to do menial tasks that all of his fellow workers avoided. you claimed a relationship between chris's work ethic and his generosity...your thinking is quite flawed in this regard.
The interesting thing about all of these comments is how much Chris McCandless has affected so many peoples lives even nearly 16 years after his death. Clearly, Chris is a firm part of American folklore and may very well live on as a legend in American history as so many others from the past have. His demise is almost martyrdom for many who share the same disdain for ordinary, conventional life in a western nation such as ours. Perhaps what is most astonishing about Chris McCandless is the fact that he had all of the ingredients for the recipe for success as we Americans have come to believe yet he threw it all away to pursue something more basic and unconventional. Perhaps he felt he was unworthy of all he had available to him and simply wanted to experience the raw essence of living with no possessions whatsoever. This quest is, in my opinion, admirable. I only wish he had survived as I believe he could have been a great contributor to the society that he shunned. Perhaps his death is not as tragic as the loss of what many could have gained, yet never will, from his future life that ended so early.
Elston_Gunn - I don't see how anyone's opinion can be so flawed. That would be why it's an opinion. I am sure if he had to work hard for that money he might not have been so willing to part with it. I am not saying it wasnt generous and a good cause. I am pretty sure the family that gave him that money did not do so thinking it would be given away. That was given to him for his education which would have been a long hard road, not to be given to a charity. The family could have done that on their own. Regardless, I do not think he knew what hard work was just because he worked on a farm for a few months. The family that gave him that money worked hard for it and valued Chris enough to part with it so he could have a bright future and go on to bigger and better things. Instead he gave it away, and killed himself in the process. Either way you look at it, going into alaska with no knowledge, no equipment, no map, is nothing short of committing suicide. I think he dodged responsibility and the people that loved him and killed himself in the process. What kind of hero is that? A fireman, a police officer, even a lifeguard is more of a hero than this kid. Sure people are still talking about it, but simply because so many people believe he is some sort of hero. I think people that are missing something in their own lives see something in Chris that they think is heroic. As in he went on some legendary search for something but he and others don't know what. I live a full and complete life with everything I could ever want and give back more than what I take. I have no regrets and pitty that Chris could not find the same with what he had. You also say there are many flaws in my thinking. I am curious, you only speak of one??
Why not make a movie about Jay Hammond, Bob Reeve, or Joe Reddington. How hard is it to walk into the damn woods...or "into the wild and die?" This was a total suicide mission. Good movie, fun story, interesting dude but not worthy of the misconception that he is some kind of damn hero or crusader. Fire away hippies.
I agree Yukon Jack. Let me say here that--save Jack and a few select others--the rest of you are enormous douche bags. If you want to get in touch with nature, go outside your split level homes and take a long piss into the cool night air--or better yet, drop a log and wipe your ass with leaves. Grow up dummies. This guy, though interesting, wanted to die--and there is no honor in that. Who the hell smiles as they are starving (i.e., final photo)? Are you missing the reality of his mindset? There is no gray area. His story teaches us that although idealism should never die in us, we should not throw our lives away because of it. Now go get your Pearl Jam tickets and smoke your skunk weed while roasting weenies at the local KOA.
Reality Check: You are a welcome voice of reason. There is no honor in pissing away your life. Grow up people.
MM
Finally, a few people that actually agree that this kid did nothing honorable or heroic.
The truth is none of us will ever really know what Chris's true intentions really were. That is what makes this journey so fascinating and puzzling. It ended with no true closer.
He lived life the way he wanted and he did it to the fullest. But he did all for himself. He put his parents through hell. his parents may not have been the best out there I realy dont know but the love of a mother for her son is unbreakable . I can only imagin the pain he put his mother through. No child has the right to do that to a mother.
wow you have a point there hjon
It is good to see the kinds of discussion that this story has brough out.
Fascinating story as related in the book, less so the movie as it idealizes McCandless and doesn't provide full context to some of the events (e.g. trip down the Colorado River led to a dead end, not the ocean; ditching a Datsun that was still in working order; lack of planning for the area of Alaska that he headed into and could have walked out of). I see McCandless as a lightning rod because he exemplifies great strengths (vitality for living, intellect) and significant deficiencies (stubbornness, repeated refusal to really dialogue with people because his mind was "made up", risk-taking behaviour) that by turns appeal to and repulse readers of his story. What stands out for me is how he fragmented his relationships with people. He tended to make a positive impact on people when he came into their lives, and then before relationships could get to the stage of emotional or spiritual intimacy, he would just up and leave. Worst of all was how he didn't contact his sister after he left home after university. The one person that he was closest to. His treatment of the relationships in his life seems to reflect a lack of emotional development in his upbringing. All in all, I see his life as a warning, not an inspiration.
Thanks MM. I also should mention that inittowinit's priot comments (two posts ago) are dead on and should be read with intent. All you teens out there that hate your parents--even thought hey provided you with the best life they could--should take part in these voices of reason. It could always be worse. Let us all not use the shitty parts of out lives as a excuse to "escape" to freakin Alaska. Man up and face the fact that sometimes we all draw a shitty hand. Make the best out of it. Then you can be an unsung hero.
Damn, think I had enough typos in the last message? LOL.
Priceisright, you bring up some good points. Regarding Chris's sudden ending of relationships before they became to intimate, I know where he's coming from on this. I've had a lot of experience in blue water cruising and have known many cruisers over the years. In order for one to sail away to the next location and adventure, the cruising sailor must keep relationships at bay or else they can prevent him from ever leaving. At this point in a sailor's life, too much intimacy can be a ball and chain, imprisoning him to an environment of familiarity and comfort. Later in life, once the wanderlust subsides, intimacy becomes an anchor to build a foundation for a productive life. McCandless clearly saw relationships as a ball and chain during most of his wanderings. Sadly, when he realized that they can also be an anchor, it was too late for him.
I watched this movie without any prior knowledge of the controversy surrounding it so I had no preconceived notions of what my opinion on it would be.
Here's what I saw -- I saw a young man who apparently came from childhood that left him very unstable as an adult. If what was depicted in the movie was true, I'd say that McCandless grew up in a household that was one thing on the inside and did a good job of putting on the good face and fooling folks on the outside.
Given that McC was a stellar student, I think he followed in the footsteps of his parents by putting up the good front but when it was all said and done, he didn't know what to do with himself. At some point, he learns that his parents aren't really married and he and his sister are a product of that closely held dark secret. I'm sure this did a real number on his psyche.
Because the guy was good-looking and likeable and at his core, a very good-hearted person (from what we see is depicted), he gets along just fine in life. This works for him for a long time and he fools himself with that. In his mind, everything will work itself out because it always had for him. Probably a little something that the security of an affluent, albeit f'd up family life provided him -- a false sense of security.
The guy was not comfortable in the 'real world' and looked upon what other people considered as success with disdain. I know people like this. There is a part of me that is like this. None of us are truly just one kind of person. We have our 'dress up and behave' side when we go to public functions. We have our 'I wanna be a slob and do nothing' sides and we have our 'OK, now I gotta suck it up and make a buck' sides. The list goes on. Bottom line, we can't be just one of those people at all times -- we have to learn to juggle all those sides and make peace with that.
I've not read his journals or the book but I'd venture to say that McC could not make peace with the fact that he couldn't choose just one way to be. And to him, being that one person probably meant being what would make his parents proud and unfortunately, that wasn't 'him'.
Best I can tell, the guy spent four months out there in Alaska and quite frankly, I think the guy was beginning to starve the day he moved into that bus. Unless I am wrong, while we see him preparing for the trip by hiking and running everyday until his Burger King paycheck came in, we don't see him doing any target practice. He gets a book on plant life -- the easiest thing to catch that provides the least amount of protein, yet we didn't see any huge preparation on hunting and catching game. And why rice instead of say, beans, which provides more protein? And how is it that you live in one place for four months with absolutely nothing to do but hunt for food and you don't go down the river a piece and happen upon a hand-tram? And how do you survive so poorly right alongside a water source where I assume fish swim and wildlife come to drink? Much less from a bus which you could get on top of and get a pretty damn good view of any larger game headed your way?
Personally, I think the guy was horribly uncomfortable in mainstream society and then, when we goes to hang out with Mother Earth, realizes she can be quite the bitch too and realized that there was no inbetween for himself to go. I'm sure getting your ass kicked by Mother Nature has to be the most sobering feeling to a person who romanticized it for several months.
Something was definitely, definitely wrong with this guy because of how he completely checked out on everyone and did his best to not leave much of a trail. To never have contacted his sister during that time is just amazing. No cell, no map, no freeze dried rations -- quite frankly, I'm curious what the guy would have done had there been no bus at all. Something tells me the little pilgrimage would have been cut quite a bit shorter.
Another thing I found quite amusing was his disdain for the comforts brought on by money yet he stopped long enough to earn it to make his way in normal society. Actually, in normal society, especially a few of the places he worked (the grain elevator, for instance), you can get along quite nicely with much less. There are plenty of people that will flat out give you money, let you work for food, shelter is easily found. The same just does not translate in the wild. Sure, the guy knew this but I don't think he fully comprehended this.
In short (and yes, I know this was painfully long), I think while the guy was sweet and generous he was most definitely off-kilter mentally and he was terribly, terribly naive and while I don't think he meant it to be this way, he was very, very selfish to torment loved ones with his disappearance.
My Take: Good post! Nice frank discussion. It's worth reading the book as it fills in more of the back story about what McC did while at the bus. Early on, he apparently did leave the bus and headed off North/NorthWest, but found the going hard so he returned to the bus. He found out through experience what has been know for ages: much easier to travel across Alaska in Winter when it's frozen than try to slog through the muck and melting permafrost. And you're right, if there had been no "Magic Bus" his trip might have been that much shorter. Might have saved his life too - if he had decided to come back from "The Wild" soon after going out because he had no hardened shelter, he might still be living the rubber tramp life somewhere. OK, enough time spent pondering what he was or was not about. Back to living here in the urban jungle. Call your Mom and tell her you love her! Regards one and all!
The more I read about what McC did and how absent proper planning was from his grand adventure, the more I shake my head.
Who uses the term douche bag? Michigan Mike, wow congrats on living in alaska for "many years",what did you go to college there,so that makes you a 'real' alaskan?. And just because you lived outside a rural village, it doesnt mean you lived off seeds in a brokedown bus. Most of Alaskans live in rural areas, and yes Ive lived there too,and since im sure weve both own a pair of Xtra toughs, then we both know that it takes alot of balls to live out in the Denali wilderness ,something im sure youve never done,because Id be reading a book about you.Besides somebody you spends so much time on this blog behind their little computer in their mom's basement ,critizing how someone lived their life, wouldnt survive out in the wild of Alaska. And besides, do any of you actually think this guy went out into the wild to have people make a fucking hollywood movie about it,or better yet, write a blog about him? He did it for himself .Thats it .theres nothing to talk about.There are alot more things to discuss in this world. Anyway michigan mike, get a life
life is what you make it so go where the attraction takes you
Good post from "my take says." Now I'll give my take not on Chris McCandless but what was said about Chris McCandless in the movie. I would have to talk to Chris McCandless myself or his family myself to give a true take on Chris.
The movie, however, makes all kinds of statements. There are all kinds of lessons to be learned from the movie. Who knows if it really represents Chris' thoughts or the family's thoughts.
Nonetheless, I wanted to cast my .02 cents about what the movie portrayed because there are people out there who are doing these things every single day even though they may not be doing it in Alaska in a broken down city bus.
My sister has done it from the comfort of her home for years. What she and so many others do is to allow the bad parts of their lives to control all aspects of their lives. A life lived well will be a life lived with balance. In this life good things happen and in this life bad things happen. If you allow the bad things to control your life you will be bitter and fail to really live. If you allow the good things to control all aspects of your life you will never be able to face reality and handle adversity.
A superb acting job was done in this movie by Hal Holbrook who played the old man Ron. In the scene where McCandless is talking to him on the hillside the old man says, "I'm gonna miss you when you go." McCandless replies, "I'll miss you, too, Ron. But you're wrong if you think that the joy of life comes principally from human relationships. God's placed it all around us. It's in everything. It's in anything we can experience. People just need to change the way they look at those things."To me...if McCandless really did believe this....this is his error. He is wrong in that joy in this life comes principally from human relationships. God matters first and then people matter. Everything else is secondary to those two things. At least initially it seems, McCandless was trying to escape his trauma by isolating himself. He allowed the bad things to take away his balance. He did not attempt to overcome evil with good, rather, he allowed himself to be overcome by evil. There is a proverb of God that says, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;He rages against all wise judgment." This was his error. He became unbalanced. That's why the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. McCandless failed to realize that the way to overcome his grief and his horrible experiences was through love. I know I've got some guys going....."aw crap get off of the cheesy lovey religious junk man!" Too bad for you. What I say is tried and true and it never fails. Love never fails. That's what he missed and why he died a young death.He showed great selfishness by not contacting the ones who loved him. Great selfishness. Personally, I believe he wanted to get out of there but became so weak he could not get out. Perhaps I'm wrong. Whatever the case....all may not be lost. The letters he left hint that he may have finally seen the error of his ways before dying. Two things make me say he may have "got it" in the end. In the movie they show him write a note as he was withering away which read, "happiness only real when shared." The other is the cardboard note he left which read, "I have had a happy life and thank the Lord. Good Bye and may God Bless All!" So he shows two things with these writings. Firstly, he realized the importance of needing people in his life to share happiness with, and, secondly, He acknowledged the blessings of the Lord. My personal hope is to get to talk to him about all of this one day in the future because he trusted in the gift of eternal life that's offered through Jesus who is the Christ.If you don't know...Jesus has made you the same offer that he made Christopher Johnson McCandless. If you trust in his gift to atone for your sins you will live with Him forever. If you don't need his gift then you are free to pay the penalty on your own. I hope you and I....and Christopher take Him up on his offer. Because it is the true definition of LOVE.Most of you guys are missing the point. It's not about doing research and planning a trip. It's about giving up our crap way of life today and living like humans were intneded to live. In case you guys didn't know cave men didn't have internet or books to do research before they traveled.
Sam, you're right. Shedding all materialism and moving around without a plan or a map was exactly the freedom that Chris sought and indeed found.
MAN THIS DUDE WAS RETARTED HE DIDNT KNOW WHAT HE WAS GETT'N INTO WHAT IF THAT BUS WASNT THERE??? THERE WOULD BE NO MOVIE NO BOOK NO NOTHIN, BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE DIED ALOT FASTER OR HE WOULD HAVE TO IN TO CONSIDERATION THAT HE WAS BEAT AND WOULD HAVE WENT THE HECK HOME. THE BUS MADE THIS WHOLE THING POSSIBLE! NOT CHRIS.
The fact that he went into the bush with only a 10 pound bag of riceBut was willing to kill a 1000 pound animal only to go to wast tells me alot of hisstate of mind. Respect the "wilderness" or it will kill you.I love a Good Adventure"My guess is" he found out that bus was there. Chris did what he wanted to do.Free to wander Free to Roam The End
Just to let you know K2deano he wasn't "willing" to kill the moose he killed it for food and It just so happened that he didnt have enough time.
I think that Alex ir Chris did what he wanted to do even if it lead to his death.
And people who call him crazy and a nutcase How many things have you done that you said you would have done? Are you living the life you ALWAYS wanted??
Well think about it because that is what Chris did.
Calico City Girl:
Read the book and avoid the movie. He wasted the moose because he had no idea how to preserve it. Time had nothing to do with it. He could have had an eternity, and he still would have died. He had no idea what he was doing.
VF
VF,
You're are right; read the book. While not a bad effort, the movie pales in comparison to the book. Actually, he knew exactly what he was doing. In fact he did remarkably well for more than 2 months. It was the Tek that scared him and eventually led to his demise. I doubt that there are many people (including Alaskans) who could survive for that long with only a bag of rice and a rifle. Give the kid some credit.
Michigan Mike shut up;; that movie was realy boering to me at first because im only 14 but,i thought about it and it was realy touching,and he is my heroe because honestley i wish we didnt have all the things we have now,it would be a lot easier if we didnt, not saying that i would go out and do that , but i realy do think he proved a point,to me and im only 14 ,and i think if he were to be alive ide want to thank him,
petra mariee:
I have socks that are older than you. Grow up and get some life experience and then come back and post in, oh say, twenty or thirty years.
VF
I still haven't read the book and just watched the movie for the first time tonight. I was profoundly affected by it; and can sympathize with both popular opinions here. I'm 29, and although I've never undertaken an adventure so challenging, I have found myself taking risks just to challenge myself. Sometimes as a right of passage; sometimes as an escape; sometimes a response to something that raised deep internal questions. I will say that each time I took an unnecessary risk, I felt both proud and foolish to have accomplished it. I've certainly had my share of near death experiences (near-falls, almost drownings, animal encounters, etc.) Most often I escape to "the wild" b/c I need some time to myself. The movie allowed me to reflect on two very important things: the first is that I've taken advantage of opportunities for adventure; the second is that I'm lucky that my carelessness in a majority of situations has not taken away the chance to tell the story. I'm mostly bummed that although we have a book and now a movie, we really don't get a chance to hear Chris tell the story, b/c maybe there was some insight that he had that will never be interpreted.
Kevin, Read the book. It is much more revealing about Chris' life and his backround. You'll have a much better understanding of why he chose the path that he did. Plus, Jon Krakauer is a compelling author. I read it the first time straight through and have re-read it a couple of times since. Movies NEVER can compare to what's in print and this is a prime example of that. Trust me on this one.
You are all idiots.
Experience something
I am reminded of the wild human spirit we all have within us. His story is indeed a tragedy.
This story is not about his intelligence.
It's about his happiness. It's how he made is life worth living, and how he found happiness in everyday things.
If he was illprepared, for a 24 year old, I think he would know.
He most likely made this decision, and I honselty respect it. I don't think he's anything but true.
Chris was a true warrior and will forever live on in my heart!
The only problem I have is if he loved his sister so much, why would he put her through this pain? And after I read the book and realized what a baby he was about his parents relationship and the scandal of it, who knows what he would've done if life got any tougher for him like it has for the billions of other people out there that get dealt hands much worse than he could ever imagine in his little world. It's cool that he went out and travelled the world on his own, I think a lot of us would love to try that life for awhile and thats admirable, but his ideals get a little too whiny for me after awhile. And if he thinks no one should push money and being successful on him, then why is he always pushing his style of life on others and telling them they need to be more free and let go of material needs. Strange guy, sad.
I think Chris was an inspiring person. I think you guys should stop judging him. Does it matter what we think of him? No, not really. Leave him alone. He was always complaining about society and now you guys all swarm about him like a pack of vultures. So maybe he was a little unprepared. He died doing what he loved which is more than a lot of people get. He was a brave person who stood up for his ideals. I think we could all take some lessons from him. It's people like him that we need in today's society. People who are ready to make a change and who care for the environment. Just because you live in Alaska doesn't mean a thing. Anybody could have died out there. I admit he was unprepared but I still think that he was an amazing person.
Did you ever think that maybe he was ready to die and didn't care if he did or not? Let the man die in peace. He saw more than most do and felt like the world was a waste of time. So he died alone, in peace, away from people who come on a message board and call people who died braindead idiots. To me, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea.
Do you guys remember the part where there was a hand-crank tram 1/4 mile from where he fell in the river?
This guy didn't even have a compass.
Now THAT, is not smart. And I don't think he was "ready" to die, did you read the note he wrote and left posted to his door? SOS, it said...Please God Remain. Why would he want hikers/hunters to wait for him if he was so ready to die? This guy was no hero. He didn't give a shit about people, until he needed them. And then he realized his fatal mistake. People need People. Now excuse me, I am going to go listen to Barbra Streisand.
oh, and celticmoon, by "he died doing what he loved" are you referring to starving to death?
Michigan Mike ...it sounds like you need some serious therapy or detox.
It's not about what he did. It's about the mental journey. He needed to deal with the demons within himself so he could forgive and understand. He did this by doing the only thing that made sense to him. He shed everything from his life and set out to find his own. It doesn't matter where he went to do this or how he felt it was right to get there. I don't think he is a hero or that he did anything wrong. His journey to himself was just more extreme than most people's and that's what made it one that people wanted to read. I had to take the same mental journey, only mine didn't include living off the land for 112 days in Alaska or tramping across the country. Everyone's trail to enlightenment is different. It doesn't make it wrong. I hope he found what he was looking for before he died.
tkin, you obviously "get it". Thanks for your comments.
Stop wondering why people are Crazy!!! Wonder why they aren't!!!
I don't know much about Chris McCandless, but I did see the movie and I am going to read the book. I have read much about how people think he was ill or even skitsophrenic, but I believe that's a stretch. He may have had very different opinions about how to live and appreciate nature, but you have to accept that he did live his life exactly how he wanted. He ventured into other people's lives, and had the most amazing experiances. Not very many people are that motivated to travel all over and live life a free man. Chris McCandless had to have been a very motivated and gifted person to be able to make the decision to leave everything he knew behind and live among the wild.
I read Krakauer's masterpiece on the life and times of McCandless and I have a mixed view. He did run away from many responsibilities but he lived on his own tired, hungry, and underprovisioned almost constantly. His family wasn't so dysfunctional, they were a pretty typical upper-class American family. However, it shows what McCandless resented was not his family but their capitolistic lifestyle.
I read Krakauer's masterpiece on the life and times of McCandless and I have a mixed view. He did run away from many responsibilities but he lived on his own tired, hungry, and underprovisioned almost constantly. His family wasn't so dysfunctional, they were a pretty typical upper-class American family. However, it shows what McCandless resented was not his family but their capitolistic lifestyle.
I read Krakauer's masterpiece on the life and times of McCandless and I have a mixed view. He did run away from many responsibilities but he lived on his own tired, hungry, and underprovisioned almost constantly. His family wasn't so dysfunctional, they were a pretty typical upper-class American family. However, it shows what McCandless resented was not his family but their capitolistic lifestyle.
It is interesting to see the varied and critical opinions being bantered about and posted on Chris's life and his intensions, as if we all knew what was in his head and heart. What chris left behind were glimpses into his own soul searching journey that we all, thanks to how it ended, are privy to.
- Chris Mcandless Pictures
Chris Mcandless Pictures
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Michigan Mike says:
6 months ago
This guy was no hero he was an ill prepared nut job who met his end like you would expect one to die in such circumstances. The real tragedy here is you can be sure someone else will idolize this idiot and go off to do the same thing.
If this guy had done ten minutes of research on Alaska he would have never taken one step in the bush as unprepared as he was.
This guy will forever be in the company of mentally imbalanced fruit cakes like Timothy Treadwell.
Chares Darwin is again vindicated.