Into the Wild Everything That Went Wrong for Chris McCandless
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Date: 2022-12-29
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Comments and reviews: 20
edge
Chris death was very simple. How he went about it is not. Just graduated from Uni with doting parents who have career plans for him, he discovers he has AIDS and, at that time, only a few years to live. He knew that if his parents found out they would put him in a clinic or hospice and fuss over him and he would have no freedom. So he worked out an escape plan. He took off and ditched his identity and assumed others. He drove out into the desert and abandoned his car in a wash where it would be carried away in a flash flood. To begin with he set out seeing as much of USA as possible, visiting many National Parks and walking trails. He found a friend he could stay with over winter. The friend was likely HIV+ too, not caring much about himself to the extent that he gets imprisoned for wire tapping.
Chris sets out again next summer exploring more of the desert world, reaching Slab City. Of course his relationship with the girl could never go anywhere even though her parents supported it. Chris works in fast food joints as he moves around, trying to avoid being caught by the FBI who have been sent after him by his parents. He gets sick but gets himself to 7th St LA - skidrow. There he gets himself tested and put on medication. This makes him better for a while but he knows the worst now and prepares for his own death. It has to be somewhere far away where his body will never be found. Chris settles for a little known and used track- the Stampede Trail - in Alaska. He hitches trains to Alaska, getting beat up on the way. He arrives at Fairbanks and visits the hospital where they assess him, give him more medication for 3 months.
Chris walks out to the Stampede Trail, crossing two difficult rivers and discovering the magic bus. He decides to use this as a base while he explores, because he is afraid of being attacked by bears. He heads out further along the trail but realizes that if he is attacked by bears - very likely in this area, they may not kill him but leave him maimed. He retreats to the magic bus where he stays for the last few weeks. As his meds are running out he sets out back along the trail to get to Fairbanks for fresh meds, but the rivers are too high so he returns to the bus in the full knowledge he would die there. The coroner said Chris died of starvation. This is a normal cause of death for someone with HIV in this kind of situation. Chris's stomach simply stopped working and he starved no matter what he ate. There was a NP Rangers hut a few miles up the river which Chris could have gone to at any time which had food supplies. Chris would have known that after having visited so many NP trails. Chris went there to die. If he had wanted rescue all he had to do was start a scrubfire by the bus and a NP ranger chopper have been there in 20 mins to assess the fire risk. Even on the last day of his life he could have called for help but did not.
Chris died a hero for all those who face the most difficult choice in life - he did it the way he choose. Chris died the way he wanted to die.
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Chris death was very simple. How he went about it is not. Just graduated from Uni with doting parents who have career plans for him, he discovers he has AIDS and, at that time, only a few years to live. He knew that if his parents found out they would put him in a clinic or hospice and fuss over him and he would have no freedom. So he worked out an escape plan. He took off and ditched his identity and assumed others. He drove out into the desert and abandoned his car in a wash where it would be carried away in a flash flood. To begin with he set out seeing as much of USA as possible, visiting many National Parks and walking trails. He found a friend he could stay with over winter. The friend was likely HIV+ too, not caring much about himself to the extent that he gets imprisoned for wire tapping.
Chris sets out again next summer exploring more of the desert world, reaching Slab City. Of course his relationship with the girl could never go anywhere even though her parents supported it. Chris works in fast food joints as he moves around, trying to avoid being caught by the FBI who have been sent after him by his parents. He gets sick but gets himself to 7th St LA - skidrow. There he gets himself tested and put on medication. This makes him better for a while but he knows the worst now and prepares for his own death. It has to be somewhere far away where his body will never be found. Chris settles for a little known and used track- the Stampede Trail - in Alaska. He hitches trains to Alaska, getting beat up on the way. He arrives at Fairbanks and visits the hospital where they assess him, give him more medication for 3 months.
Chris walks out to the Stampede Trail, crossing two difficult rivers and discovering the magic bus. He decides to use this as a base while he explores, because he is afraid of being attacked by bears. He heads out further along the trail but realizes that if he is attacked by bears - very likely in this area, they may not kill him but leave him maimed. He retreats to the magic bus where he stays for the last few weeks. As his meds are running out he sets out back along the trail to get to Fairbanks for fresh meds, but the rivers are too high so he returns to the bus in the full knowledge he would die there. The coroner said Chris died of starvation. This is a normal cause of death for someone with HIV in this kind of situation. Chris's stomach simply stopped working and he starved no matter what he ate. There was a NP Rangers hut a few miles up the river which Chris could have gone to at any time which had food supplies. Chris would have known that after having visited so many NP trails. Chris went there to die. If he had wanted rescue all he had to do was start a scrubfire by the bus and a NP ranger chopper have been there in 20 mins to assess the fire risk. Even on the last day of his life he could have called for help but did not.
Chris died a hero for all those who face the most difficult choice in life - he did it the way he choose. Chris died the way he wanted to die.
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Joe
So if you wanted to replicate Chris McCandless's trek to Alaska, probably it makes sense to go into the woods with a shotgun and plenty of buck shot or a high calibre deer or bear rifle, so you can have plenty of meat to eat to sustain yourself. Maybe it would help to learn how to make jerky, so the meat would be properly preserved to last the winter in times that game is not moving as often. I remember from the film, and I am not sure how accurate it was they said he bought some 22 rifle, and it looked like he had to shoot that moose like 1000 times to bring it down and then was completely clueless about how to keep the meet preserved, and it ended up getting spoiled by maggots. Maybe even go into the woods with some kind of airtight cooler to seal it off from parasites after you make it into jerky. Sure, not the most appetizing way to eat on a daily basis, but it will definitely be better than risking your life eating fauna that might turn out to be poisonous and being malnourished. Chris was obviously not a vegetarian, so this knowledge would have definitely served him better
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So if you wanted to replicate Chris McCandless's trek to Alaska, probably it makes sense to go into the woods with a shotgun and plenty of buck shot or a high calibre deer or bear rifle, so you can have plenty of meat to eat to sustain yourself. Maybe it would help to learn how to make jerky, so the meat would be properly preserved to last the winter in times that game is not moving as often. I remember from the film, and I am not sure how accurate it was they said he bought some 22 rifle, and it looked like he had to shoot that moose like 1000 times to bring it down and then was completely clueless about how to keep the meet preserved, and it ended up getting spoiled by maggots. Maybe even go into the woods with some kind of airtight cooler to seal it off from parasites after you make it into jerky. Sure, not the most appetizing way to eat on a daily basis, but it will definitely be better than risking your life eating fauna that might turn out to be poisonous and being malnourished. Chris was obviously not a vegetarian, so this knowledge would have definitely served him better
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Senpai
Why did he want isolation so much? You can be a Supertramp, but also have friends. I love nature, peace, knowledge, hiking, my tiny dogs. But it's lovely to share joy with a friend. The best happiness is shared.
One thing he didn't grasp was the uncaring cruelty of nature. I would not be out in the wild as unprepared as him. He seems to have never experienced the harshness of nature before that time. Had no sense of proportion or consequences of ill-planning. Just shooting a huge moose was a foolish waste and obviously would never have worked. And he lacked foresight. Had no escape route. Put all his eggs in one basket.
I note he wanted to be truly wild, yet still opted for a gun. Real wild is not a game.
Was he experiencing a manic episode? Feelings of immortality?
Lastly, it reminds me greatly of 'Mostly Harmless' who died in a similar way after having a mental break from society.
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Why did he want isolation so much? You can be a Supertramp, but also have friends. I love nature, peace, knowledge, hiking, my tiny dogs. But it's lovely to share joy with a friend. The best happiness is shared.
One thing he didn't grasp was the uncaring cruelty of nature. I would not be out in the wild as unprepared as him. He seems to have never experienced the harshness of nature before that time. Had no sense of proportion or consequences of ill-planning. Just shooting a huge moose was a foolish waste and obviously would never have worked. And he lacked foresight. Had no escape route. Put all his eggs in one basket.
I note he wanted to be truly wild, yet still opted for a gun. Real wild is not a game.
Was he experiencing a manic episode? Feelings of immortality?
Lastly, it reminds me greatly of 'Mostly Harmless' who died in a similar way after having a mental break from society.
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Mike
by focusing so much on how unprepared Chris was you miss the point of who Chris was. He was a smart guy, he wanted to do it himself, with as little of anything as he could so that he could feel self sufficient. He wanted to do it himself. He hated money because money was the disguise that hid the lies in his family. He was mad at his dad because he knew and suffered the wreckage his father created and hid with money. Chris HATED being the product of someone he did not respect. Being supported by him in a privileged way did not sit well. He was young and working this stuff out and would of had he given himself more time. This was a desperate attempt to make some distance with his father. Maybe so desperate he wasn't thinking right about somethings that got him killed in the end.
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by focusing so much on how unprepared Chris was you miss the point of who Chris was. He was a smart guy, he wanted to do it himself, with as little of anything as he could so that he could feel self sufficient. He wanted to do it himself. He hated money because money was the disguise that hid the lies in his family. He was mad at his dad because he knew and suffered the wreckage his father created and hid with money. Chris HATED being the product of someone he did not respect. Being supported by him in a privileged way did not sit well. He was young and working this stuff out and would of had he given himself more time. This was a desperate attempt to make some distance with his father. Maybe so desperate he wasn't thinking right about somethings that got him killed in the end.
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inspiral
Seems he met loads of good people with an objective insight into him on his track but one, namely himself. His call for help came too late and too inaudibly. He took the risk without even thinking anything over about risks. That's the tragedy. On the other hand, nobody would speak about him if he had not died. Or maybe died alone, but still on any townroad within Fairbanks, maybe just at a street crossing or in the City Park. It's the place and the conditions of his death that make a myth of him and his story. And I'm almost sure that's what he didn't really want to become.
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Seems he met loads of good people with an objective insight into him on his track but one, namely himself. His call for help came too late and too inaudibly. He took the risk without even thinking anything over about risks. That's the tragedy. On the other hand, nobody would speak about him if he had not died. Or maybe died alone, but still on any townroad within Fairbanks, maybe just at a street crossing or in the City Park. It's the place and the conditions of his death that make a myth of him and his story. And I'm almost sure that's what he didn't really want to become.
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Jericho
I do not find this story inspirational. It proves the old cliche, no man is an island.
It additionally testifies sincerity, determination, vision, and courage displaced, is only an illusion resulting in tragedy. He was a delusional young man.
What was his actual contribution to himself and the world?
Dont be naive. Do not pursue grandiose visions without intelligent research. He completely lost touch with reality.
The tragic analogy? He enjoyed playing on the Highway until a truck took him out.
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I do not find this story inspirational. It proves the old cliche, no man is an island.
It additionally testifies sincerity, determination, vision, and courage displaced, is only an illusion resulting in tragedy. He was a delusional young man.
What was his actual contribution to himself and the world?
Dont be naive. Do not pursue grandiose visions without intelligent research. He completely lost touch with reality.
The tragic analogy? He enjoyed playing on the Highway until a truck took him out.
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Jay
He followed a dream. Just wish he had met a like minded person along the way, Mayhap the outcome would have been different.
Mayhap he would have survived and gone onto research off grid living, what to do what not to do, and be able to share a story of a time when he almost died. educate others.
Instead, This is the story we have.
So sad that people have died attempting to do some. (sight seeing) now that is almost as tragic as the reason they were even trying to get their, tragic on every level.
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He followed a dream. Just wish he had met a like minded person along the way, Mayhap the outcome would have been different.
Mayhap he would have survived and gone onto research off grid living, what to do what not to do, and be able to share a story of a time when he almost died. educate others.
Instead, This is the story we have.
So sad that people have died attempting to do some. (sight seeing) now that is almost as tragic as the reason they were even trying to get their, tragic on every level.
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Freeway
What went wrong well let's see he seemed to have a high sense of narcissism because he didn't give two damns about what putting his life in danger and dying would do to his family and his mental incompetence doesn't make him a hero to worship at all, and this should be a tragic warning of what not to do when your mentally unbalanced. He's just another Treadwell without the bears and millennials just show how really dumb they are just by who they worship and idolize
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What went wrong well let's see he seemed to have a high sense of narcissism because he didn't give two damns about what putting his life in danger and dying would do to his family and his mental incompetence doesn't make him a hero to worship at all, and this should be a tragic warning of what not to do when your mentally unbalanced. He's just another Treadwell without the bears and millennials just show how really dumb they are just by who they worship and idolize
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Zari
I'm going to watch a bunch of docs about this dude in hopes of figuring out why grownups, many older than him, find/found him inspirational. To me, he was a 23 year old KID who didn't want to go to school so he took off and ended up at the Slabs. Somehow he ended up dying alone in a rusty bus because of poisonous potato seeds. For the life of me, I guess I'm missing the point. He left his mark on the WORLD? A bright star? Lol I just dunno about this one.
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I'm going to watch a bunch of docs about this dude in hopes of figuring out why grownups, many older than him, find/found him inspirational. To me, he was a 23 year old KID who didn't want to go to school so he took off and ended up at the Slabs. Somehow he ended up dying alone in a rusty bus because of poisonous potato seeds. For the life of me, I guess I'm missing the point. He left his mark on the WORLD? A bright star? Lol I just dunno about this one.
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-redacted
The guy did what he wanted to do. Everyone should strive to do that. He cared not what you have to say about him. That was what made him special. He did what he wanted to do. Can you say you are doing that? He loved his life. Do you? So stop with hating on the man. He did nothing to you except show you that you couldn't do what he did. That is not a crime against humanity. It's your own ego and self worth getting in the way.
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The guy did what he wanted to do. Everyone should strive to do that. He cared not what you have to say about him. That was what made him special. He did what he wanted to do. Can you say you are doing that? He loved his life. Do you? So stop with hating on the man. He did nothing to you except show you that you couldn't do what he did. That is not a crime against humanity. It's your own ego and self worth getting in the way.
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Once
I think what he did should speak to all of us about freedom. FREEDOM. We sort of used to have at once. I think his story is Beautiful, but I hate that he suffered and Im sad for those he left behind. I really get needing to go as far away as you can go from your parents if they did anything wrong to you. You have to do it in order to grow and sometimes you hit an iceberg. But hes truly free now.
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I think what he did should speak to all of us about freedom. FREEDOM. We sort of used to have at once. I think his story is Beautiful, but I hate that he suffered and Im sad for those he left behind. I really get needing to go as far away as you can go from your parents if they did anything wrong to you. You have to do it in order to grow and sometimes you hit an iceberg. But hes truly free now.
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Infernoble
His biggest mistake was isolating himself. Regardless of how antisocial you are, we all crave human intimacy even if it's just a simple mundane conversation about the weather. Also isolation is just not a good thing for survival, you need teamwork and someone to watch guard at night. You need help, you cannot do it on your own. People have already tried.
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His biggest mistake was isolating himself. Regardless of how antisocial you are, we all crave human intimacy even if it's just a simple mundane conversation about the weather. Also isolation is just not a good thing for survival, you need teamwork and someone to watch guard at night. You need help, you cannot do it on your own. People have already tried.
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Lumin
Rich guy wants to go rogue and live off the land traveling to alaska, brings a camera to document his travel because the clout. Dies, family knows he wanted at least a name in history so they pay to tell the story etc and it gets made into something inspirational.
I bet this guy in real life was a total conman.
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Rich guy wants to go rogue and live off the land traveling to alaska, brings a camera to document his travel because the clout. Dies, family knows he wanted at least a name in history so they pay to tell the story etc and it gets made into something inspirational.
I bet this guy in real life was a total conman.
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Diaz
I've never heard anybody refer to him as a hero. If anything, he was a regular guy who simply made some mistakes and wasn't quite prepared for the undertaking of such a trip. All these people calling him names are childish. They may be outdoorsmen or survival experts, but one mistake is all it takes for anybody.
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I've never heard anybody refer to him as a hero. If anything, he was a regular guy who simply made some mistakes and wasn't quite prepared for the undertaking of such a trip. All these people calling him names are childish. They may be outdoorsmen or survival experts, but one mistake is all it takes for anybody.
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Jim
The real tragedy of this story is the number of people who have died following in McCandless' footsteps and trying to travel his route. I am all for people taking risks and living their lives seeking adventure but even a small amount of common sense should tell you that you should be properly prepared first.
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The real tragedy of this story is the number of people who have died following in McCandless' footsteps and trying to travel his route. I am all for people taking risks and living their lives seeking adventure but even a small amount of common sense should tell you that you should be properly prepared first.
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Victoria
I read this book in a English class in college, I was left with many questions on why he walked away. Found the book his sister wrote. Highly suggest it gives the history and why Chris did what he did. I have a better understanding of why Chris walked a way from his parents.
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I read this book in a English class in college, I was left with many questions on why he walked away. Found the book his sister wrote. Highly suggest it gives the history and why Chris did what he did. I have a better understanding of why Chris walked a way from his parents.
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Brent
I guess I dont understand why hes applauded. He was a pretty terrible outdoorsman, who poisoned himself. Why would anyone want to emulate him? Starved and poisoned to death in an abandoned bus is pretty low on the ways I want to die scale.
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I guess I dont understand why hes applauded. He was a pretty terrible outdoorsman, who poisoned himself. Why would anyone want to emulate him? Starved and poisoned to death in an abandoned bus is pretty low on the ways I want to die scale.
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Quinton
Havent read the book just yet, I did enjoy the movie and the story, I feel for Chris, seemed like a great young man, prayers for him as he ascended into the great beyond and his sister and parents, life is something aint it.
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Havent read the book just yet, I did enjoy the movie and the story, I feel for Chris, seemed like a great young man, prayers for him as he ascended into the great beyond and his sister and parents, life is something aint it.
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lanette
Why didn't the parents contact and media and plaster his picture all over the news? The man who dropped him off at the Stampede Trail would have known approximately where Chris was and maybe were able to save his life.
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Why didn't the parents contact and media and plaster his picture all over the news? The man who dropped him off at the Stampede Trail would have known approximately where Chris was and maybe were able to save his life.
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Keith
Where did you find the picture of Chris at 1: 09 seconds? Can't find it anywhere else when searching about him on the internet, its of a him standing at castle mountain in Banff would love to know if its him or not
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Where did you find the picture of Chris at 1: 09 seconds? Can't find it anywhere else when searching about him on the internet, its of a him standing at castle mountain in Banff would love to know if its him or not
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