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When i was young  i never really got the chance to experience "the wild " as many others may have but the times i did go and explore the wild were really great times for me. I do not have many pictures that i can find of me when i would go on adventures.  My first time going into the wild was when i was about 5, me and my family went camping and it was a really interesting but cool experience. I got to see the world around me such as nature , the animals the plants and tress around me.

Growing up i went hiking various times which to me is like a stress relief. My first time hiking, I thought it would not be fun but hiking up a mountain and it taking a while to reach the top was really fun. The other times i enjoyed a lot because i went with my family and that made it even better.

For my future, I hope to experience more adventures in the wild. In my life , I can only really think of a few moments that were be experiencing "the wild" so i definitely was to try new things and grow my experiences of life for the better.

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Summary:
Outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, an electrician by the name of Jim Gallien picks up a young hitchhiker (pg 3) named Alex. Gallien worries that Alex, who claims to be 24 years old, is unprepared for the extended stay he plans to have in Denali National Park Gallien asks Alex about his hunting license because the young man is carrying a gun, but Ales replies that he doesn't care about the law. Gallien adds that Alex's weapon might not have the power to kill such a large creature. As payment for the ride, Gallien receives Alex's meager extras, which include a comb and money (p. 7). Alex must bring his pair of work boots and some extra food that Gallien's wife had packed, according to Gallien. He is excited (pg 6) to start a new life of his own.
Analysis:
Because I recognize Chris's desire to test himself and live a life that is vastly different from the one he had as a child in Washington, D.C., I tend to respect him. You can't always persuade someone to listen to advise they don't want to accept, despite the fact that I wish he had gone into the jungle a little better equipped.

#Exloretheworld #nature #thewild

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Summary :
The Stampede Trail's isolated portion in Denali National Park is where the narrator tells the story of an abandoned school bus (pg. 10). When three distinct groups of hikers and hunters visit it in 1992, it is in this state. In September of that year, three moose hunters come upon two other individuals who have previously located the bus as they cross the treacherous Teklanika River in their vehicles. The scent come from it is horrifyingly bad, so the other two have chosen against going inside. Christopher J. McCandless, the buss occupant, is sick and in need of assistance, according to an s.o.s note (pg. 12) attached to the bus s antenna.

Analysis:
It's sad to think about Chris' final few days.  I can't imagine being trapped knowing that unless someone randomly stumbles upon the bus, I'm going to die by myself in the bush.  His final days must've been so lonely and painful.

#r.i.pCJM # s.o.s

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Summary:
Author Jon Krakauer starts to emphasize the journey rather than the destination in this chapter. At his first stop, Krakauer encounters Wayne Westerberg in the little South Dakotan town of Carthage, which has just 274 residents. Wayne recounts how he picked up Chris, a hitchhiker ( pg 17) in the fall of 1990.Chris is described by Wayne as outgoing, diligent, smart, and well-liked by the locals who act as his adoptive family (p. 18). Chris abandons Annandale, Virginia, and declares Carthage his home (pg. 18) moving forward.

Analysis:
Very nice how he  he connected with Wayne and had a strong sense of belonging in Carthage. Chris dreamed of the seclusion a little little town like Carthage could offer in a world full of perpetual upheaval and uncertainty. So many people grow up in the suburbs and dream of the city.

#1ststop #newhome

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Summary :
Therefore, this is the chapter where the voyage becomes challenging. Chris is in the middle of a violent thunderstorm when he accidentally drives his favorite car ( pg 27), a yellow Datsun B210, into an area of the park that is off-limits. As a result, the car gets flooded and is unable to start. He makes the decision to give up his beloved car despite how much he loves it and continue his adventure on foot, feeling elated as he starts his new life as a leather tramp (p. 29). As Chris gets conned by a man by the name of Crazy Ernie in Northern California, the hits keep coming in this chapter. After leaving that circumstance, he obtains a hitchhiking ticket (pg 31) and commits a grave error

analysis: His spirit is not broken despite nearly drowning in the Gulf of California, and he appears to be even more motivated to keep going. But in a way, I think Chris's overconfident as a result of these encounters. They give the impression that he can't be defeated, which we know is untrue.
#nextstop #goodbyedatsun

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Summary :
In 1991, Chris spends the winter in the south where he may bask in the warmth and avoid the cold. Chris is a McDonald's hamburger flipper. His coworkers described him as a drifter (p. 40) who hated having to wear socks because they were required at Mickey D's. He leaves on foot for Slab City, a desert community close to Palm Springs, where his mother figure Jan Burress resides, after becoming bored of the daily grind of his employment. Everyone in attendance remembers him as an amiable individual who entertained everyone for hours with his singing and piano skills. When Jan finally tries to "mother" (p. 46) Chris by asking about his parents and giving him goods to help his situation, Chris abruptly leaves.

analysis :
I wouldn't have anticipated him working at Mcdonalds . I wonder if he went to work there in order to scrape by and/or steal some food for himself. The fact that the woman was assisting him, but he simply dumped the items afterwards, left me shook.
#NoSocksNoWork # Slabcity

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Summary:
Ron Franz and Alexander Supertramp's paths meet, marking the beginning of yet another instance of Chris establishing his road family. Ron's wife and lone kid were killed in an automobile accident on New Year's Eve 1957 by an intoxicated driver. Veteran of two wars, Ron. Since then, Ron has lived a largely lonely life. Alex, a hitchhiker, is picked up by him, and the two hit it off immediately away. The weeks that follow are spent together. Ron advises Alex to settle down and create a career out of his life, while Alex encourages Ron to become a rubber tramp so he can tour the country and appreciate its intricate beauty. Ron asks Alex if he may adopt(pg 50) him. he cannot understand why God would allow such a terrible thing to happen to such a special (p. 60) person, Ron becomes so disturbed that he indulges in alcohol for the first time in roughly 40.  years.
Analysis :
. It fascinates me how quickly two men who are so radically different from one another in terms of their ages, worldviews, and values can develop a bond. There were so many individuals that Alex and Chris had an impact on. If he had the chance to live a complete life, just think of all he could have done and accomplished. When you're happy and life throws you for a loop, many people just drink and cry to watch how their lives turn out. I couldn't picture losing my wife and son in a car crash, but that's the truth.

#reallysad #strongchapter

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Summary: Jon Krakauer traveled to Carthage, South Dakota in November 1992 to speak with Wayne Westerberg, Gail Borah, and Mrs. Westerberg, who all provided a wealth of insight on Alex's personality. Although Alex was a hard worker, according to Wayne, he lacked the common sense (pg 62.) that most people possess because his attention was constantly on broader issues . The three emphasize Carine's close relationship with Alex while also talking about Alex's desire to "divorce... his parents once and for all and never speak to those fools again" (p. 64). They speak of his high moral standards, his obstinacy, and his undiscovered musical, dancing, and acting abilities.

Analysis:  it is absolutely great  how much of an influence Alex made on people in such a short period of time. We all aspire to leave a lasting impression on the world. Shall we? Although it's difficult to say, after reading this book, and in particular, this chapter, I can say that Alex did.

#virgin #roughchildhood #byecarine

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Summary: Jon Krakauer uses this chapter to show his readers that other men have come to their demise (p. 70) on Alaskan adventures, even if the circumstances are a bit different from those of Chris McCandless.  First up is Gene Rossellini, the modern day caveman!  Gene heads north from the lower 48 in the early 1970's.  He's a super intelligent guy looking to test himself in Alaska ...sound like anyone we know??  Well, "the mayor of Hippie Cove" as Gene is called lives a prehistoric existence, testing himself to see if modern day man can live in the same way as the cavemen did it back in the day. Gene tries his hardest, but sadly writes, "I learned that it is not possible for human beings as we know to live off the land" (p. 75) before plunging a knife through his heart when he realizes the true extent of his failure (p. 75).  Next up is crazy John Waterman.  Lots of similarities to Chris:  he's from the D.C. area, has MAJOR issues with his dad and is super smart.  John is an accomplish climber and alpinist (p. 79) before he starts losing his marbles, running for president of the United States on a platform to end hunger.  SPOILER ALERT:  He doesn't win the election!  Anywho, John comes unhinged, decides to climb the most difficult mountain in all of Alaska in the dead of winter and is never heard from again.  Alaska state troopers believe he probably fell down a crevasse (p. 80) to his death, although his remains were never found.  And last up is poor Carl McCunn.  Another transplant from the lower 48, Carl is the life of the party - just like Chris.  Good guy, fun to be around, charming, but lacks common sense & thinks someone will bail him out if he ends up in trouble.  Similar to Chris, he hatches a plan to go off into the wild for a few months BUT he fails to set up an Uber (think Uber plane!) to come back and pick him up.  The summer turns to fall and McCunn is starving and freezing.  But wait...a plane flies overhead and it looks like Carl is going to be rescued!!!  Unfortunately, Carl doesn't know that waving ONE hand in the air means you're good, no need to rescue you instead of throwing TWO hands in the air, the universal sign for HELP!!!  Carl is dying a slow and painful death by a mix of starvation and frostbite, so in his final diary (p. 81) he explains that he shot himself in the head to end his misery.  Guess Chris doesn't sound that crazy or unprepared after all, huh???

Analysis: He wants to demonstrate to us and to everyone who wrote to Outside Magazine that A. Chris isn't the first person to attempt something similar, and B. he isn't nearly as insane as the other guys who have tried it before him. The commonalities between these individuals are intriguing; they all appear to be struggling with major challenges, and they all believe that succeeding in Alaska will fill the gaps in their life.

#alaskaisfreezingcold #readytogo #dudescrazy

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Summary: Another chapter about a dude who isn't Chris McCandless.  Everett Ruess shares many similarities with our main character though - he's a wanderer (p. 90), free spirit, well liked risk taker and lover of all things solitude and wilderness.  Everett is a bit younger than Chris when he begins his vagabond (p. 91) journey, dropping out of UCLA after only one semester to follow his dream (p. 96) of living a nomadic existence.  Unlike Chris, Everett focuses his travels in the southwest rather than north, but like Chris he also renames himself choosing the moniker Nemo after the character Captain Nemo in the Jules Verne classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. And yes, Nemo the fish we know today is named after that character, too!  While on a solo expedition in Utah, Ruess seemingly disappears, never to be heard from again.  A search party is sent to find him after he goes incommunicado (p. 93), but other than finding his donkey, some cave drawings/graffiti he made and pieces of his gear, Ruess was never seen again.  Stories vary on what happen to him - maybe he was a victim of his own reckless innocence (p, 97) and fell while hiking or possibly drown, but some speculate that he was murdered by Native Americans.  No one ever found him or his remains, so Everett's end remains a mystery.  Like Chris, Everett's passion for nature and adventure won out over a conventional life, yet neither man made it out of the wild...

Analysis: It all makes sense to me now, on why  Krakauer made this chapter . He wants to demonstrate to us that Chris is neither the first nor the last person to pursue their aspirations in the desert and perish. Since Everett was even younger than Chris and didn't appear to be fleeing from family issues, his story is extremely tragic.

#reallysadstory #dropout #dumbchoices

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Summary: Since Chris had no identification, the police are unable to identify him, so they contact the Anchorage Daily News to get a newspaper article (pg 99)about their mystery man published. When Jim Gallien notices this headline, he informs the group about South Dakotan Alex. The troopers shift their search (p.99) to SD,  where they run into a brick wall, before the incident is revealed on the Paul Harvey radio show . Fortunately, Wayne Westerberg hears this broadcast and calls the authorities to provide the troopers with Alex's real name and social security number (p. 101), which directs their search to Annandale, Virginia.

Analysis: The fact that he was only recognized because he left such a lasting influence on the people he met along the road, like Jim and Wayne, really hits home for me. At least now that his family is aware of what happened to their son, we readers can begin to discover more about the circumstances that led to our boy's awful demise.

#strange #radiosareold

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Summary: Walt is incredibly smart, diligent, and a touch rude. He doesn't seem to get along very well with his child, probably because they are so similar. Chris and Walt have the traits of independence, goal-orientedness, disdain for authority ( p 104), and hatred of being told what to do. Walt and Billie go from California to Virginia and establish their own business after falling in love and getting married. This has a big influence on Chris and Carine because their parents are workaholics who don't give them a loving, cozy home and practically ignoring (p. 109) them so they can focus on their professions.

Analysis: If someone had known, do you think Chris's story would have been different? Chris may bounce after reading this chapter, and I don't blame him. He seems to have come from a highly toxic family. It's a bad he couldn't keep in touch with Carine, but I can see why. A dreadful truth is that parents can hurt their kids a lot. I initially assumed that he had a lovely family and wondered why he would leave, but we never get to see inside the home.

#familyisntfirstallthetime #observe #keepaneye

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Summary: He creeps people out in college with odd quirks like keeping a machete in his dorm room, his cynical nature ( pg 120)  and his monomania, (pg 120)which caused him to focus entirely on one subject without being able to move on from it. When Chris visited his old neighborhood in California after graduating from high school, he discovered Walt & Billie's profound, dark deception:(pg 121)    Walt split his time in California between two families, two homes, and two wives throughout Chris's earliest years! Chris decides to keep this information to himself rather than telling his father, and he plans his eventual departure from the man he now despises.

Analysis: How is it possible to have six children with two different women, particularly when both of them are expecting at the exact Moment? In any case, this chapter contributes to explaining Chris's motivations. Once more, simply though someone is wealthy and employed well doesn't necessarily imply that they are a good person. Chris had his foibles, but his father did a great job raising him.

#crazy #6childrenwith2woman! #dramatic

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Summary: Carine and Chris have many similarities( p. 128) , including their appearance. People frequently believed the two were twins( pg. 128)  rather than just siblings . She talks about how Chris wanted to bring Buckley, the family dog, on his trip, and how they both adored him . She genuinely thinks that if Chris had only taken Buck along, he would have been more cautious and less reckless. Despite their strong relationship , Chris never gets in touch with Carine while away, so when her husband informs her that Chris has passed away, Carine is completely SHOCKED. Carine grieves for days over the loss (p. 132) and loses more than 10 pounds as a result in the months that follow. As a final show of affection for.

Analysis: Reading about the relationship between the siblings' beloved dogs and their brother and sister is heartwarming. His bond with Carine shows how unloved he was by his parents. She is devoted to him till the end and never wonders why he seems to have forgotten about her. Her unwavering affection demonstrates how close the two of them were.

#buckley #famconnection #siblingbond

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Summary : To answer Billie McCandless' question at the end of Chapter 13 about why anyone would do what Chris did, Jon Krakauer flips the script and tells his own story of Alaska adventure.  At the age of 23, Krakauer decides to head to the great north to find himself not by living in the wild, but by climbing the major mountains in the 49th state.  He becomes obsessed with hiking Devil's Thumb, a very steep, challenging ascent on the glacier (p. 138) known as the Stikine Ice Cap.  Like Chris, completing this climb becomes the only important thing in Krakauer's life.  Chris obsessed over the bush, while Jon's obsession (p. 134) is this rare climbing achievement.  Much like he anticipated, the ascent is dangerous and potentially deadly.  Krakauer proceeds with caution during whiteout snow storms while crossing over delicate crevasses (p. 140) which could crack and send him tumbling down hundreds of feet.  On a beautiful May day, Krakauer decides that this is it, he must summon the courage and concentration (p. 142) he needs to summit this peak today or else...Even with the warm temps and sunny day, the ice is impenetrable and Krakauer panics (p. 143).  He can see the summit, but he can't reach it.  His only option is down.

Analysis: Many people have pursued their aspirations despite the danger involved, including our author. Both men were on the run, seeking the happiness they believed would make them whole. However, I believe Krakauer should have talked about women instead of himself. Women have undoubtedly traveled to Alaska in pursuit of their goals and to the very edge of their abilities.

#devilsthumbisscary #Krakauerisbrave

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Summary: So Krakauer makes it back to his tent, all butt hurt that he didn't achieve his goal of summiting Devil's Thumb.  In a genius move, he decided to smoke a joint to make himself feel better since he's a bit depressed.  Well, he ends up setting his tent on fire causing it to vaporize one of the walls so the temperature inside drops by 30 degrees or so.  Good job, Jon!  Anyway, this causes him to think about his reason for running away to climb:  his volatile (p. 147) history with his father!  They have a very similar relationship to Walt and Chris - dad is stubborn, treats his son poorly, pushes him away with his medical school expectations (p. 148) since he himself is a doctor.  Yeah, I know: we've heard this story before.  Jon uses these complicated (p. 147) family memories as motivation:  he's going to attempt to summit the Thumb to prove his disbelieving dad wrong!  He fixes his tent by packing it with snow and forges a plan to begin his final ascent on a slightly "easier" side of the mountain, the southeast side.  At sunrise, he summons ALL of his courage and overcoming all of the terrifying (p. 150) obstacles, he finally makes it to the top - YAY!  He enjoys the view for a minutes, snaps a few pics, and begins his descent.  When he finally makes it off the mountain, he tells a few people what he did.  They aren't extremely impressed.  This makes Jon think about what he did and why he did it, causing him to say, "I thought climbing Devil's Thumb would fix all that was wrong with my life.  In the end, of course, it changed almost nothing.  But I came to appreciate that mountains make poor receptacles for dreams. And I lived to tell my tale" (p. 155). Years later when writing this book, he realizes that his hubris (p.155) pushed him to his limits to achieve his goal, but that the impact his possible death had on those who loved him would've been catastrophic.  This is why he believes that Chris had NO intention to die in the wild, that he was only chasing his young, irresponsible dream.

Analysis: I have often wondered what Chris would be like now as I read this book. Instead of merely inspiring certain readers of this book, do you think he would have done more to alter the course of history through his activism and beliefs.

#needsinstructionstocookinatent #poortent

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Summary: The notebook lists McCandless's accomplishments, including climbing some mountains, shooting a Moose, ( p 164) and eating a lot of small animals. failures (he turns around and parks the moose at the bus rather of walking the 500 kilometers to his intended objective of the tidewater; half of the moose goes to waste since he doesn't know how to preserve the meat). Chris chooses to call it quits on July 3rd and return to civilization after reading a section from Tolstoy's Family Happiness that explains how happiness must be shared with others in order to be genuine.Chris hoofs it back to the bus ( p 163) to wait for the high waters to pass so he can cross safely, feeling depressed, alone,(p 163)  and alienated.

Analysis: He might have simply returned to civilization by crossing the Teklanika. He handed Jim Gallien a watch, a map, and other material goods before setting out on the route, and I appreciate his willingness to survive without them because just one minor error might easily mean the difference between life and death.

#couldhavebeensaved #nomap #stuck

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Summary : The men follow Chris's trail and discover that, contrary to what many Alaskans thought, Chris had shot a moose and not a caribou. When they go to the bus, the men check inside and discover several of Chris' belongings, including his hiking boots, a belt he made himself when he outgrew his jeans, and his nail clippers. The men are alarmed by this because they feel as though they are disturbing Chris' ultimate resting place. No one wants to sleep inside the bus because Chris' passing has left a haunting grief in it, so they spend the night camped outside.All around fire, they discuss Chris and discuss his need for this spiritual quest (p. 184) along with the bold decisions and grave mistakes (p. 185) that ultimately led to his demise. The men concur that they can all relate to Chris and that they respect( p 181) his yearning for adventure .

Analysis :  Reading about his journey has given me a lot to think about. I'm always ready and conscious of my surroundings. I never travel without a backup plan, and I'm not afraid to change my plans if necessary to stay safe. I will always be appreciative to Chris for inspiring me to embark on my own Alaskan trip in 2018

#dontforgetthemap! #thatbusisscary

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Summary : He is hungry, fragile, and in serious jeopardy(p. 189) . Things start to get a little hazy at this point. Three scenarios that all include poisoning ( p 191) could account for his swift, rapid fall : 1. He ate seeds that he brought with him from South Dakota that had developed mold and turned deadly because he was so hungry. 2. He consumed poisoned potato seeds, and 3. He misled his plants and consumed toxins ( p 193)  sweet pea . since he is already severely underweight (, his body lacks the fat and energy needed to combat the negative effects of consuming sweet pea plants.

Analysis : I adore the fact that he pursued his passions, went after his heart, and followed his own set of rules in life. its crazy that a a single map could have saved his life but he did not have one. Chris did amazing things, and it simply breaks my heart to think that he passed away in such a lonely, miserable way.
#restinparadise #beyourownperson #CJMforever

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Summary : They had originally intended to trek the Stampede Trail to get there like their son did, but circumstances force them to take a helicopter into the wilderness instead. The parents follow in their son's footsteps for three hours, stopping at the Sushana River, where he would frequently go for water, and meandering through the surrounding flowers and bushes. The two enter the bus ( p 201)  after gathering their courage and discover some of Chris's belongings as well as his notes scrawled on the wall. Walt and Billie, who admire what Chris accomplished but are confused as to why he did what he did , finally have an answer after this visit.( p 201)  The book concludes with a depressing image of the parents taking off from a bus that is getting smaller.(p 203)

Analysis : Walt makes me despise him more than Billie does. I believe that Krakauer's depiction of the bus shrinking as they fly away to be the appropriate way to close the book. Death is definitive, and our memories are transient, much like the bus's picture, which gradually vanishes.

#LLCJM #payyourrespectstomcCandless #nomorebus

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McCandless had a significant impact on individuals he met along the way, enjoyed life to the fullest, didn't give a damn what other people thought of him, challenged himself, and was open to making friends with people from all walks of life. Even though he was a little overconfident in his skills, he failed to bring important tools that could have saved his life, he cut off his sister despite the fact that she had done nothing to harm him, he was emotionally unavailable to those who wanted to connect with him, and he chose to run away from his problems rather than face them.

I understand how challenging it is to carry out what he did effectively for more than 100 days in the bush as the daughter of a hunter. I could never live off of the food I collected while hunting and fishing for four months. About three days in, and I'm someone who spent my formative years hiking, camping, and exploring as Chris did, I'd be calling for a rescue. I also respect that over those two years on the road, he fought to stay alive and get around difficulties.
#greatbook #braveMcCandless

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Growing up i never really got to explore much , when i was younger my family would go places but never really far. I was a kid who loves to learn and explore new places and things although my siblings weren't much like that. On the weekends my grandparents would take me, my older brother and cousins to the beach which always though was super cool and fun. Being and almost adult, kinda .. but turning 18 soon i really want to expand on exploring more, learning new things, taking on challenges and trying new adventures that not many people have tried before. I love a good challenge so i will be up for that challenge.

I can relate a little bit to Chris because he wanted to get away from how society was, he wanted to start a new journey for himself and i think i feel the same way. society is filled with many things good or bad and sometimes a break is what is needed,  although i would want to start a new journey for myself as i grow older, i do not want to leave my friends and family behind because they are important people in my life.
#trynewthings #challengeyourself #exploretheworld