# data[].attributes.body
#freesoul #113days #buckleyftw

# data[].attributes.body
Growing up in a single-parent household (with my mom) I didn't really get to go anywhere unless it was with my dad's side of the family. I've never been super comfortable with everyone as I'm just a timid person in general excluding a small bunch of people but because of that, I've never felt like I could do everything I've actually wanted on a trip regardless of the scale of the trip. Until recently, I had never traveled on a plane before nor gone to different states aside from Arizona and Nevada.

Before this trip, I was never really interested in traveling as I simply never experienced it so I didn't care much for it, but once done I want to see and experience more. One of my goals would most likely be to travel to Vietnam. Since I was born in America I've always heard stories from family and how drastically different the lifestyles are from here. I mostly just want to travel around to different countries to experience what I could never have in America. As I feel like I could learn a lot from traveling not just about culture and such simple things but about myself and just general important life lessons I wouldn't know if I just stayed in the same place my whole life.

#nevertraveledoutofcountry #lifelessons #family

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: 23 years after his death Krakauer still pondered the true reasoning behind Chris Mccandless's death, and one thing he kept coming back to was Chris's Diary(¶3). Most believed the hypothesis being potato seeds because of the diary entry of how the seeds made him feel "extremely weak" but after Krakauer decided to send the seeds to a lab(¶7) to be tested it was found out that the toxin(¶9) that he thought was to have killed Chris wasn't in the seeds but actually another acid. The actual item slowly killing him was actually the Eskimo Potato(¶11), which during the winter would become toxic to fend off predators though Chris did not have that knowledge and fell ill because of said potatoes. A lesson Krakauer says people should take away from Chris is that there are many species(¶19) where you can eat one part of a plant and will die if you eat another part.

Analysis: It's not very often that you see someone with such a passion for something and in this case, it's Krakauer and his determination to find the true cause of Chris's death. I personally don't get why he was so insistent on finding the cause as the second belief sounded real enough, believing that Chris had died from potato seeds but I can kind of understand since Krakauer had already written a whole book about Chris, finding out the true reason being his death would do him some justice.

#soitwasthepotatoes #slowdeath #protectedpotatoes

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: Krakauer and Chris's parents are in a helicopter(200) on their way to visit his death site. Taking a mere 15 while it would've taken Chris 4 days to walk, they had arrived at the bus. There was silence as they landed(201) not much being said until Billie entered the bus and started commenting on things. The Bus and its belongings were pretty shabby(202) and yet Billie was able to admire the place where her son had lived with all his quirks and died. Walt though mostly silent admits his dislike for Alaska but also understood the beauty(202) and how it appealed to Chris. Though it still hurt that Chris was gone visiting the bus really put into perspective for Walt and Billie what Chris was going through and helped accept his death since "...Some days are better than others, but it's going to be hard every day for the rest of my life." said by Walt himself.

Analysis: I would've expected Chris's parents to have visited the bus sooner but I presume that they were mourning and just weren't ready to see it yet hence the 10 months. The way Billie and Walt reacted I say would be pretty typical. Billie trying to reminiscence and look at the good things such as the spoon Chris had brought with him from the Annandale House or the Jeans that somehow still smelled like Chris even a year later. Then there's Walt, Quiet but not without thought. It seems like during the whole thing he was just trying to process things and didn't know what to say until the end, it is nice tho that both of them could understand how Chris loved it in the wilderness.

#helicopter #1yearlater #bus142

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: After not being able to cross the riving Chris decides to go back to his bus. Unknowing of his very soon downfall, Chris wasn't worried(185) a bit. There he leaves a note "HAPPINESS(189) ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED." which is significant(189) to his morals and thoughts throughout his whole journey. Though two days after finishing a book an ominous(189) entry is made in his journal foreshadowing his death. By August 19th he was dead, there was also something mentioned of Chris buying seeds(189) which those thought to have caused his death but the reality was mold being the culprit as well just plain starvation. Perhaps knowing his death was soon to come Chris had also written a goodbye(199) note "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL"

Analysis: Although he died in such an unfortunate way he lived out the last few months of his life in his own accordance, with all his decisions made by himself and no one to judge. I commend him still that he stuck to his goals and didn't pull out when times got rough nor took easy way outs. Of course, there were many moments where he lacked things but just by this book existing I can tell that Chris left a significant mark with everyone he met along his trip. Even better than most experiences including Chris were good. But at the end of the day though I wonder if Chris would've wanted his story out there, what would he be thinking right now knowing that everything about him is just known now to the public.

#deathbypotatoes #theend #rip

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: Krakauer decides to visit Teklanika River himself with a few friends. The powerful(173) river that it was, Krakauer was able to see how Chris struggled with it. Eventually moving down he stubbles across the cable (173) car that could've saved Chris. Continuing the trip they come across abandoned(176) skeletons from animals that once were alive. From those bones, though they could finally see for themselves the debate whether Chris had actually killed a moose or was it just a caribou, it was a moose(177). Eventually coming to the bus they see where Chris had lived out his daily life though choose not to sleep in as Krakauer had felt queasy(180) in the bus from the sadness that the bus admitted.

Analysis: It is unfortunate knowing from an outside perspective how from just having a small map he could've prevented his death and actually been able to look back at his adventures alive and well. Understandable since i also have a small fear of water myself and I couldn't imagine myself in his conditions pushing myself to continue to walk further up so I can't blame him much although it could've saved him.

#mapsareimportant #sleepoverwithchris #itwasamoose

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: Back to Chris, this starts off with him leaving Carthage and on his way to Denali National Park. While there he hitches a ride with a man named Gaylord Stuckey spends two days with him talking about his plans and independence(163), when getting dropped off Gaylord pleads(160) Chris to make a phone call home and is brushed off. Finally alone(163), in the bush having to fend for himself he realizes that things are much harder than he thought and that he had many weaknesses (164). Not being able to hunt, nor travel across the river because it was too violent (163), Chris was starting to feel hopeless being so deep into the wilderness. Little did he know civilization was only a mile away which could've saved his life.

Analysis: I've always loved recording things and keeping track just to be able to look back at them and I can see Chris did as well with his journal of daily significant things. Its ironic that he wanted to escape civilization so bad and was determined to live in the wilderness but the reality was that that civilization that he was trying to avoid so bad as so close and could've been the factor that saved him. Chris was oblivious and too determined for his own good.

#icantswim #nevergiveup #lifeordeath

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: Not being able to continue his trek Krakauer returns to his tent to wait out the weather. Not being able to take the clammy(146) environment any longer he decides to smoke a cigarette(146) to relax and pass some time. But by doing so it caused the tent to feel cramped and more suffocating(146) as well as hungry. Deciding oatmeal would be a good choice Krakauer readied his stove and while preparing the food he smelt something burning. By the time he had turned around, he had watched a hole burnt through the send lowing the temperature of the tent significantly. Being reminded that this tent belonged to his father who was reluctant(147) to lend it to him in the first place because he apparently always lived up to his father's worst expectations. Krakauer's relationship with his father was never good feeling constantly oppressed(148) but it only got worse as he became older and more medicated for polio.

Analysis: I've always had a thought that if I do an action something bad will happen which for anything to even happen in the first place I must do something but this chapter especially reminded me of that. If Krakauer had just decided not to smoke he wouldn't have burnt a hole in his tent that lead to a whole chain of problems. I can understand his frustrations of burning the tent but also then thinking of his dad and how he was always looked down upon because he had not become "successful" in his father's eyes.

#weedmakesyouhungry #burnttent #devilsthumb

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: From the author himself Krakauer tells and compares how he was similar to Chris and both of their obsessions(134). One of Krakauer's obsessions was the Devil's Thumb, a glacier(138) that many dared not to climb. Though Krakauer ached(144) to climb it as if when completed his life would be transformed(135) for the better. Though during the climb he runs into a problem and not being able to continue any further he finally feels afraid(139) for not being able to complete it and for his life.

Analysis: It's cool to hear experiences from the author himself and how he had a similar mindset to Chris. In general, hearing how people grew up is interesting because people can be raised the same way and turn out completely different as no one is the same.

#intothewild #cocopuffs #theauthorspov

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: Continuing off the topic of family this chapter mainly focuses on Carine, Chris's younger sister. Looking back at old pictures even years part of Chris's expression(128) was always the same in family pictures. The siblings themselves were very similar even down to height that people would frequently ask if they were twins(128). The family also had a dog named Buckley a dog that Chris had been always attached(128) to. There was a situation where Chris had wanted to bring Buckley on a family trip but his family refused as Buckley had been recovering(128) from an injury, Carine now wonders if had they let Chris bring Buckle would things have turned out differently. Because of the closeness of their relationship Carine became hysterical(130) after hearing of her brother's death and developed an eating disorder eventually recovering.

Analysis: Finding out a family member has died never feels good but I can't imagine how Chris's family felt after not hearing from him for months only to find out he had died. Especially for his sister, with whom he had a close relationship. Though it was nice to hear how actually close he and Carine were along with the family having a dog. I can feel a bit better for Chris that could enjoy some time at home when there was Carine and Buckley.

#mansbestfriend #lilsis #filmsthatshowastory

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: This chapter continues off from Chris's family and the truth(117) behind it all. Before leaving for a trip Chris gifts his father an expensive(118) telescope and has a bonding session where Chris admitted he respected his dad for starting from nothing and achieving so much. Once on the trip, he didn't call home much or communicate, and at his return, his appearance was scruffy(118) and he had lost a significant amount of weight. During the trip though he did find out about the lies(121) that his father had never admitted to and felt resentment(122) towards him for doing that to the family.

Analysis: Of all family problems I guessed Chris to have, his father having an affair was not one of them. I understand his anger for his father there but why the anger towards his mom. Perhaps he's mad at her for getting taken advantage of like that and not doing anything about it? But I still feel bad as I don't think the blame can be put on her when it was his father doing the action.

#familyaffairs #doublelife #offtocollege

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: This chapter looks at Chris's family who they were. His father Walt, a working man with a professorial(103) demeanor that demanded authority (104). His mother Billie, and his sister Carine. Chris often felt alone(107) because of his parents and their lack of presence in his life. Though the stressful(107) atmosphere at home also helped him and Carine build a close bond with each other. At surface level, the Mccandless looked like an amazing family, with successful parents and gifted(106) children they had a bright future ahead of them. Little did Chris's family know though that he had no intention to pursue any of it.

Analysis: All families have problems no matter how happy they look and in Chris's case I guess he couldn't take it and just had to flee. It's understandable that with workaholic parents he didn't feel very 'loved' but was still able to form a close bond with Carine his sister at the time which was fortunate. With all the work his parents did they must've thought that money could make up for their absence but that has never worked and we can see Chris's family as one of the extreme examples for that.

#siblingbond #gifted #moneyisnteverything

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:  This chapter opens with a headline(99) mentioning Chris's death although his identity(100) is a mystery to everyone. Jim Gallien, someone that Chris had interacted with previously comes up upon said headline and it had coincidently sounded a lot like a young man he had met before. After not hearing from him for so long he had eventually come to the thought that that must be Chris in the news and tried to call upstate troopers though because of many other concerned families the phone lines were swamped(100) and it took a while till he could actually confirm Chris's identity by social security which lead the troopers to find his residence(101) in northern Virginia. From there they called every possible directory (101) for McCandles eventually leading to Chris's family being informed of his death.

Analysis: The fact that the NYT picked up this story meant it had some significance and hence here it is, Chris's story now in a book. But it's crazy lucky how people that he had met along the way had heard in time to recognize him in the news to identify him. I couldn't imagine how everyone felt realizing the person they heard in the news dying of such a painful death was a person they actually knew and were familiar with. Even though all of the facades that Chris had given out throughout his journey everyone was able to find out the truth of his unfortunate ending.

#breakingnews #familyfortune #coincidence

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: In this chapter, we are introduced to Davis creek a canyon that featured eerie(88) petroglyphs and pictographs along with a carving that would soon be added to it by Everett Ruess. A 20-year-old coming from a nomadic(89) family had dreams elsewhere, the dessert to be specific. After settling down in California at 16 he often would go on exploration trips alone which might've sparked his love for the outdoors and eventually his unfortunate disappearance. Similar to Chris, Everet liked to write many letters that would bore(91) the things during his trip and well as his feelings as of how overwhelmed(91) he would feel sometimes. Another parallel to the two had to each other that they both had adopted(93) new name(s). But with his adventure, it had to come to an end and that's where his death is assumed to be by drowning or because he had fallen off a cliff but it stays as an assumption because his body was never found anywhere and is still technically missing today.

Analysis: It's not very shocking to me that others had the same dreams as Chris. I've surprisingly heard many that want to live out in the wild and escape the city life as it's just too overwhelming and they just want to connect back to their "roots" as they say. But with how people grow up now in America most aren't equipped with the knowledge of living out in the wild in such extreme conditions. It's not very surprising that Everett also had a similar ending to christ at least that's what most assume. But I can still appreciate that he was true to himself and followed to do what he set out and lived the best life he could before his assumed death.

#insomeoneelsesshoes #UCLA #nemo

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

Analysis:

#tragic

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

Analysis:

#virginityrocks #oblivious #dirtywork

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

Analysis:

#everyonesdead #gloomy #againstcapitalism

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

Analysis:

#crush #stinky #working

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

Analysis:

#NATURALdisaster #actualbaggage #illegal

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

Analysis: It's pretty commendable that Chris decided to do some good and donated his college funds to charity. But when it comes to communication is where he lacks. Sure he gave hints that he left to his parents since it was understandable he didn't want to tell them of his plans but leaving his sister in the dark when they had a close relationship was pretty sad. But it's his life and if that's how he chooses to deal with conflict then he will face the consequences of his actions.

#bookworm #lonewolf #newnamenewlife

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

Analysis: Already knowing Chris's demise from the start of the story was enough but hearing the actual gruesome and sad details of his death really put it into perspective. The way that he tried to be so independent that even at his death there was no one for him and he was left to the point of being baldy decomposed. But even before his journey, he knew that it would be a gamble having to survive and live out in the wild and he just lost that gamble that is all.

#tragedy #rip #thestart

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: Into the wild starts out introducing our subject as a young (p.3) man looking for a ride to his first destination. Picked up by a person named Jim Gallien and is introduced (p.4) to Alex/Christopher. During the trip (p.4) Jim makes conversation with Alex and to his disbelief is informed about Alex's plans and the lack of gear (p.5) for his plans. Trying to help out Jim is determined (p.6) to help Alex in just the slightest bit and offers anything he can. With that Alex is left with a few goodies, a new number to his contacts, and an adventure that he could have never predicted for himself.

Analysis: I would say I admire Chris for the fact that he kept his word and actually followed through with his actions and to this degree. It's something not many people can relate to as many are cowards and too scared. But I would say the way Chris handled things was a bit idiotic as he had no backup plan and basically winged everything

#yolo #alwaysunpredictable #freedom

# data[].attributes.body
Growing up I didn't get into "the wild" much. I more preferred safer and cleaner activities as bugs, dirt, and potential threats in the wild very much so scared me. But as for the few experiences I would consider nature would be the beach and hiking once in a blue moon. I always loved going to the beach, just the basic smell and how refreshing it felt was always calming. As well as the view during  sunset or sunrise nothing could ever beat it. As for hiking the experience was fun because I had people around me and to me it felt like a bonding experience but as for the environment i very much was not fit for it as I slipped a ton as well as was scared of everything.
Even with my "fear of nature" I still love to go out but just with limitations. Being in nature gives you more of an appreciation for the world and just lets you enjoy it without the constant thought of everything when you disconnect with technology.